Attention those in the West Virginia area!

Stop by the Kanawha Valley Job Fair next Friday, March 22'nd from 11am-3pm!

More than 200 local employers will be represented!

Some of which are:
• Aldi
• Wendy's
• The WVU Medical Center
• USPS
• WesBanco Bank
• Ticketmaster
• Aramark
• Kelly Services
• Goodwill of Kanawha Valley
• Aflac
• Jackson Kelly PLLC
• Manpower of Charleston
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing
• City of Charleston
• Charleston Area Medical Center
• WVU Parkersburg
• Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law
• WoodmenLife
• Council on Aging
• Maxim Healthcare Services
• Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center
• West Virginia Women Work
• West Virginia Air National Guard
• SOKY Jobs
• Northwestern Mutual
• UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia
• Snowshoe Mountain Resort
• AHF Products
• Orangetheory Fitness Charleston
• Cardinal Concrete Company
• West Virginia State University
• Xtreme Labor Solutions
• All Ways Caring HomeCare
• Electronic Specialty Company
• West Virginia Junior College
• Panhandle Support Services

...and more!

Employers will be recruiting for many different types of roles that can accommodate many different needs. Varying shifts, solid pay, and benefits are available across different roles, such as Customer Service Representative, Maintenance Technicians, Accounting Assistants, Fitness Coach, and many, many more.

Best of all is that many of these great employers will be providing on-site interviews and may give job offers on the spot!

Lots of great reasons to stop by including free headshots : )

Register and grab all the info here.

Have questions? Please ask!

One of the most common questions asked during an interview or at a job fair is…

Can you tell me about yourself?

Other variations could include...
-Why should we hire you?
-Why do you want to work here?
-What is it about us that makes you want to work here?

Answer these 5 questions to help you plan what to say and impress employers!

1- What are the three strongest reasons I am a great fit for this job?

2- What are some positive things I can say about the company, and how can I connect what they do with what I can bring to them?

3- Why do I really want this job beyond having a steady paycheck and perks?

4- What are three AWESOME things I did in my previous position that I can also offer in this new role?

5- What is the EXACT job description (make sure to write it down) and how do MY skills match up with it? Be as specific as possible.

Answering these questions will help you feel prepared to go in with some great things to say which will also boost your confidence!

Have a question?

Please comment and ask! : )

Your resume showcases all the things an employer is looking for and each has certain expectations that they would like you to fulfill. It’s important to show them in your resume how/why you are the perfect fit.

Check out these tips on how to make your resume stronger and desirable to employers!

1- Have the qualifications for the job
Increase your chances of being hired by tailoring your resume specifically to jobs that you are qualified for and are interested in doing. You don’t always need to meet 100% of the requirements that job postings ask for, but do make sure that you have at least 75% of the qualifications. Present them in easy-to-read sentences and bullet points. Highlight your past accomplishments to show how you can excel at the job.

2- Make it easy for them to contact you
Place your contact info right up at the top of your resume. Be sure your email sounds professional. If it begins with cutiepie107 or a bunch of random letters and numbers create a new one with your name, such as Jsmith for example. Keep it professional! List your phone number as well and make sure that once you put it out there you are checking your messages.

3-Show that you want the job
The first thing an employer is going to notice is if your resume is relevant to the job that they are hiring for. Do you live close enough to the job to reasonably commute to it? Does your title closely match the job you’re applying to? Describe your experience and accomplishments to demonstrate how they benefit the employer. Remember, it is about THEM, not you. Employers don’t want to guess how your credentials apply to the role they are looking to fill.

4- Be a spelling and grammar whiz
Reportedly 75% of employers noted that they wanted a stronger focus on written communication skills. Your resume is their FIRST impression of you, so if it is riddled with spelling mistakes, type-o's, or grammatical errors you will likely not be considered for the role. These type of errors show your lack of attention to detail and gives off the vibe that you just aren’t professional or interested. Avoid this by ALWAYS making sure to have a friend or family member read your resume. It’s tough to catch your own mistakes sometimes, they are sneaky! Be sure to use spell check and you can even download Grammarly for a free and easy guide to use as you write.

For info on how to easily create your resume right here on Jobcase please check out @LailaNashat 's posts here.

Have questions? Please comment below!

Don’t let employers forget about you once the job fair ends...

Now is the time to follow up!

-Do it sooner rather than later
1-2 business days after the job fair is ideal.

-Make it personal
Remember that employers have met and spoken to MANY people at the fair, so it’s unlikely they will automatically remember you. If you had a good conversation, make note of something you discussed and mention it in the email.

-Reach out to the right people
Whether you jotted the employer’s email address down in a notebook or you took their business card, make sure to reach out. If you did neither don't worry, you can go to the company's website and look for the hiring manager's email. Once you have found it follow up with a friendly email.

-What to say
In the email, explain how excited you’d be to work for them. Mention the main reasons why you would be the right person for the job by emphasizing your strengths and capabilities while demonstrating that you are a great fit. Keep it short and straight to the point.

Here is what a sample follow up email could look like:

Hi [Name],

It’s [your name], we met at [name of the job fair] this past [date]. I know your inbox is probably quite a busy place right now, but I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I…. (Include any personal connections you made here, for example, I can’t believe we both attended Maryville High school). I would be thrilled for the opportunity to interview with [Xompany Name] for the position of [the position title] that you’re currently offering. I believe that my skills are strongly in line with this position’s requirements and my overall experience in [add in your special skill/experience] would be especially valuable when… [connect your skills to what they need]. I have attached my resume for you to look over when you have a free moment.

Thank you again [their name] for your time. I look forward to speaking soon!

Best,
[Your Name]

If you landed a job at the West Virginia job fair let us know the good news and post it HERE in the community!

Good luck to all those who attended! : )

Ok WV Jobcasers, you got this. 200 employers dying to hire people tmw. Here's a couple things to do tonight to improve your success tomorrow:
1) research 5-6 attending companies that you really hope to work for. (jobcase, glassdoor, or even google search can be great here). Make sure you know what drives their success so you know how to position your skills/expeience for them to hear how you will help them succeed.
2) practice your elevator pitch out loud. Elevator pitch is your 15-30second soundbite that captures who you are and what you offer (as if you only have the time in an elevator). If your not sure about it then its the following structure a) introduce yourself by name, b) say what your interests, experience, skills are - something that shows you off. the more you can link to results the better, c) state why you are interested in working for them and why you think you would be a good hire d) ask them if they agree your strengths would be of value to them and if so what the next step should be.
3) print 100 resumes (dont' have one - no problem, just fill out your jobcase profile fully and hit 'generate resume' button and print).
4) get sleep and breakfast. Look fresh, be sharp be happy.

5) put a smile on, look in the eye, shake hands firmly, enjoy and kick butt! You are an awesome person who has a lot to offer an employer no matter your background. They are there to hire people. Imagine having 200 hiring managers in one spot. You can cover more ground tmw then in a month of calls and meetings.

Go Get 'Em , Jobcaser! We believe in you!

If you have never attended a job fair or a hiring event, here are some things you can expect and tips on how to prepare yourself.

Also, if you haven't be sure to stop by the West Virginia job fair happening this Friday, March 22'nd!

Think of the event as a formal interview
It's important to treat the event just like a formal onsite job interview, so make sure to prepare! You can do this by researching the company or companies, practicing your elevator pitch and answering questions, knowing which roles you want to apply to, and dressing as you would for an interview.

Expect long lines
Attendance is usually pretty heavy at these types of events. Whether it’s waiting in line to actually enter the facility or waiting to speak with employers, there’s going to be some downtime. However, you can use this to your advantage! While you’re waiting, you can practice reciting your answers, brush up on your company knowledge or even mingle with fellow attendees to help calm those nerves or gain some insight.

A lot to take in
In order to stay organized and focused throughout the day, pack a small notepad to write down important details. You can also pack a folder to collect business cards, pamphlets, or handouts. Keep these items in a small bag so you don’t misplace them. After every conversation with an employer, take a second to jot down some notes about what you spoke about and any other details that can help you reconnect.

It’s not over when it’s over
Similar to a job interview, the events don’t end when you leave. It is crucial that you follow up just as you would after a regular interview. Be sure to gather necessary contact information before leaving each table, either by grabbing a business card or politely requesting an email address and jotting it down.

Whether you’re actively looking for a new job or considering making a career change, hiring events and job fairs are wonderful ways to make new, meaningful connections and jumpstart your job search.

Good luck!

Have questions? Please ask!

Check out these tips to make sure you are all set for the job fair on March 22n'd!

Remember, it's never too early or to prepare!

-Lay out your clothing the night before.
By planning ahead you don’t have to scramble trying to find something in the morning. Also, be sure it's clean and wrinkle-free. Check out some tips on what to wear here.

-Grab those resumes.
Pack at least 50 copies and place them in a folder, or notebook and then tuck them away in a bag. Just make sure your resumes are easily accessible when an employer requests a copy, so you don't have to go digging for it!

-Eat a good breakfast.
It’s true what they say, breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. It will fuel your brain/body first thing and last until lunchtime! When in doubt bring a snack to eat later to help keep you energized!

-Go to bed early.
Even if you’re a night owl, put on those pj’s and climb into bed early enough the night before so you get a full 8 hours. You will look rested tomorrow and feel much calmer and more focused.

-Get to the fair on time.
Plan how you will get there and how long it will take with Google maps. If you can, arrive a little bit early to calm your nerves and take a lap around the room.

-Practice your pitch a few times that morning.
Whether it’s in the shower or on the ride over, say it a few times so you build up that confidence! What will you say in 20-30 seconds to grab that employer’s attention?

-Know that company’s mission/culture.
If you haven’t researched it yet, take some time to see what they are all about and jot down some notes! Remember, your pitch should be tailored to what YOU bring to that company based on what they do.

-Nervous?
If you are not sure what to say when you first meet an employer, use a few of these conversation starters to get things rolling!

Wishing you the best of luck at the job fair! : )

For those in the West Virginia area wishing to attend, grab all the info here!

Have questions? Please ask!