Joliet Regional College & Career Fair

List of Participating Employers:  Coming Soon

• BRING YOUR RESUME. Come prepared with several copies. Links to sample resumes below.
• JJC students, alumni and community members can attend. 
  • Request a resume appointment by contacting careers@jjc.edu
• Dress Professionally as you would for an interview.
• Review the web sites of the employers to learn more about the companies listed below and make a list of those you want to meet.
• Only job seekers will be admitted.  Please, no guests.   

Day of the Job Fair

• Be prepared for day of on-site interviews
• Resume review and printing available
• Free professional headshots for your LinkedIn profile

Sample resumes

• Sample Part-time Resume
• Sample Full-time Resume

• Monday April 10: Drop-in Resume Day and Professional Headshots at Main Campus. H-1012 Bridge South. 9 am to 12 pm.

  Tuesday April 11: Drop-in Resume Day at Workforce Development. City Center. 9 am to 12 pm.

  Wednesday April 12: Drop-in Resume Day at Morris Education Center. 9 am to 12 pm.

  Thursday April 13: Drop in University Transfer Assistance. Main Campus. Room H-1012 Bridge South. 9 am to 12 pm.

Steps to Take at the Job Fair

1. Dress for an interview. 
2. Bring 30-to-40 resumes in a portfolio, small briefcase, folder or large envelope. The portfolio also is handy for carrying all the company information, business cards, etc. that you will pick up during the Job Fair.
3. Arrive in time to review the information you may be given at the door. Select the companies to visit.
4. When you arrive at the company's table you selected, there may be a line. When you get to the front, give a 30-second or less presentation. (For example: "My name is... I'm interested in your organization because... What kind of opportunities might exist for someone like me?" etc.)
5. Leave your resume with the company recruiter.
6. Make sure you get company information and a business card from all companies of interest to you.
7. Take notes on your conversations with company recruiters. It will make your follow-up with employers much easier and also allow you to remember important points of the conversation.
8. Within two weeks after the Job Fair, follow-up with email or phone calls to the recruiters to indicate your interest in specific positions or in working for that company. Those who follow up get the jobs!

Making Contact with Employers

Common Questions to Expect from Employers

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why did you choose to attend/not attend college?
• What interested you about our organization?
• Why do you want this position? Why our organization?
• Why do you think that you will be successful in this field?
• What are your short-term goals?
• Tell me about your work experience.
• What three things are most important to you in a job?
• What major problems have you encountered and how did you deal with them?
• Are you willing to travel?
• What are your strengths/weaknesses?

Sample Questions to Ask the Job Fair Employer

• Please describe the positions available in _________.
• What qualifications are important for this position?
• What career paths are available after starting in this position?
• Is relocation/travel required for this position?
• How can I reach you in order to follow-up on this position?
• I have a background in _________. Would this qualify me for your position?

Common Reasons for Rejection

• Poor personal appearance
• Lack of planning for career - no goals or purpose
• Lack of enthusiasm and interest
• Failure to ask questions
• Inability to express yourself clearly, poor voice, diction, grammar
• Timid, lacks sufficient degree of assertiveness
• Unwilling to relocate
• Poor eye contact
• Weak handshake

Increasing Your Effectiveness

Start with a strong handshake and a practiced introduction when meeting your first employer. Direct eye contact is also essential when making a first impression. As you introduce yourself include information such as name, college major, work skills and experience, and date available for employment. The recruiter also may ask about your qualifications as they relate to the position, so be ready to discuss several of your strengths.

Be Flexible

Be flexible when targeting your employers of interest and manage your time effectively. There may be long lines for the popular employers, especially at the beginning of the Job Fair. Manage your time by visiting other employers until the lines are shorter. Your time at the Job Fair has been well spent if you have visited at least 12 employers during the course of the day.

Be Open-Minded

Be open-minded. Employers consider your experience and skills, not just your education. Introduce yourself to the employers even if your experience is not in demand. If they are not hiring for your area of expertise, ask them to forward your resume to the appropriate department in their company. It is also helpful to ask for a contact name in order to follow up in the future.

Listen Effectively

Listen effectively when standing in line for a recruiter. You can learn about the position and the employer by listening to what is being said to the person ahead of you in line. Network with other candidates by exchanging information about employers with whom you have made contact.

Take Notes

Take notes. Accurate information will be needed for follow-ups done after the Job Fair. Make notes on the company listing as well as ask for a business card and company information from the recruiter with whom you are speaking.

Follow Up

Follow up with employers after the job fair. Resumes left behind act as a reminder and reinforce the impression you have made with the recruiter. However, do not rely on the recruiter to contact you after the fair.

Identify at least 5 - 10 positions you would like to learn more about and contact the employer by phone or by sending a thank you letter within two weeks of the Job Fair. Initiative is the key to obtaining an offer from an employer you met at the Job Fair.

List of Participating Colleges & Universities:   

• Aurora University
• Columbia College of Chicago
• Columbia College of Missouri
• Concordia University Chicago
• DePaul University
• Eastern Illinois University
• Elmhurst University
• Governors State University
• Grand Canyon University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois Wesleyn University
• Lewis University
• Marquette University
• National Louis University
• North Central College
• North Park University
• Olivet Nazarene University
• Purdue University Fort Wayne
• Purdue University Northwest
• Roosevelt University
• Saint Mary's College
• Trinity Christian College
• University of Illinois Springfield
• University of St. Francis
• Valparaiso University
• Western Governors University
• Western Illinois University

• Obtain a few copies of your transcript. This can be unofficial transcripts from your JJC student portal or official transcripts ordered through our Registrar’s Office.

• Please note that participating colleges and university admission representatives may not be able to give you an on-the-spot admission decision during the fair. However, your transcript will help facilitate a discussion about transfer classes and scholarships opportunities. Bring a notebook and a pen to take notes.

During the fair: Take notes on the various schools you speak with. Take a business card from each admissions representative you speak with and make a note on the back of it that will help you remember the conversation (i.e. something that stood out to you about the school, next steps, a deadline, etc.)

Ask the college and university admission representatives questions. This will help narrow down the type of transfer school you’re interested in and will give you plenty of information to make an informed decision. Remember, they want to talk to you! Below are some sample questions but feel free to ask anything that is important to you.
 

• Do you have the program in which I am interested? What similar majors do you have?
• What are your admission requirements?
• What are the application deadlines?
• What academic support resources do you offer?
• Are there courses I need to complete prior to transfer?
• How would I go about having my credits evaluated?
• What is the typical class size at your institution?
• What is the financial aid process at your school?
• What is the tuition at your school? What types of fees do you charge?
• Are there any scholarships available for transfer students?
• What is campus life like at your institution? Is it easy to get involved?

After the fair: Email or call the admission representative you connected with to set up an individual appointment and a campus tour. Complete admission applications to the schools you are considering and add their school codes to your FAFSA (if applicable).