College is just a stepping stone.
Social media has become the new equalizer to the job search. A study done by Jobvite, a software and recruiting corporation, found that only 4% of recruiters were not using social media in the recruiting process.
In a world where dropping off your resume in person tends to do more harm than good, attending college job fairs provides students with the opportunity to explore different job industries while also connecting with potential employers.
Salt Lake Community College Career Services hosted the biannual job fair in the Lifetime Activities Center on Oct. 1 at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus. With over one hundred different employers attending, students were able to build their career networks while also expanding their horizons.
In preparation for the biannual job fair, SLCC Career Services teamed up with J.C. Penney for a one-night event to allow students to make their next career move in style. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff who attended the J.C. Penney Suit-Up Event on Sept. 29 at Valley Fair Mall were able to purchase regular, sale and clearance-priced dress apparel, shoes, and accessories for up to 60% off the listed price with their SLCC ID.
Prince Nwando, a career coach with SLCC Career Services, speaks highly on the partnership between SLCC and J.C. Penney.
“[This partnership] was created to allow our students to look the part for both job fairs and job interviews through the purchase of professional clothing at an affordable price,” Nwando says.
However, when attending a college job fair, students need to not only look the part but also act the part of a potential employee. Jose Rodriguez Hernandez with SLCC Career Services thinks bringing a resume is especially important.
“[When attending a job fair] I recommend that students bring in a nice resume … one that speaks to who you truly are and really markets your skills and abilities,” he says.
Hernandez explains that this resume should not be a student’s first draft, but rather one that has already been proofread by the people that the student trusts the most.
“Students should bring approximately ten to fifteen copies of their resume to be on the safe side … if you don’t give away all your copies at the job fair then you will have some extra on hand for other interviews and job opportunities,” says Hernandez.
Hernandez wishes the best to all SLCC students who are considering attending a college job fair in the future.
“Students who are the most successful at our job fairs bring in a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new things,” he says.
Photo gallery by Tamra Rachol
