'Tis the season of Tahoe Job Fairs

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North Lake Tahoe resorts are currently hiring for oodles of part and full time positions for the 2013 to 2014 winter season:

Saturday, Oct. 19
Boreal Job Fair
Visit rideboreal.com

Sugar Bowl-Royal Gorge Job Fair
Visit www.sugarbowl.com

Tahoe Donner Job Fair
Visit www.tahoedonner.com

Saturday, Oct. 26
Northstar California Job Fair
Visit northstarcalifornia.com or call 530-562-3510
Saturday, Nov. 2
Squaw Valley + Alpine Meadows Job Fair
Visit squaw.com or call 530-452-7112

Follow these basic hints to successfully navigate your next career or job fair in Truckee Tahoe.
Adpated from "Career and Job Fair Do's and Don'ts by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

DO

• Have a specific strategy for maximizing your time at the event.

• Dress professionally - conservative is always the safe choice. And do wear comfortable shoes. 
• Prepare a one-minute "commercial" that focuses on the unique benefits you can offer the
  employer - your unique selling proposition, and be prepared for common interview questions. Brush up on successful interview techniques including a firm handshake, a warm smile, eye contact and a strong voice.

• If applicable, pre-register for the event (most Tahoe ski resorts and large employers request online applications before applying in person), and do attempt to get the list of attending companies before the career fair if more than one company will be there. 
• Do attempt to research basic information about each company (or department) you hope to interview with at the job fair. A common career fair question from recruiters is, "Why do you want to work for our company?" 
• Bring enough copies of your resume including different versions if you're searching for different types of jobs.
  
• Do have a few questions prepared for each recruiter, but don't ask questions that any good job- seeker should already know, such as "What does your company (or department) do?" 
• Do take advantage of the time you have to build rapport.
  
• Get a business card from each recruiter or hiring manager that you are interested in following up with. Some experts say to call and leave a message right after the job fair. At a minimum, send each recruiter a thank you letter.

DO NOT...

• Say anything negative about your college or previous jobs, companies, or supervisors as this "negative talk" will reflect more poorly on you than whatever company or person you reference.
  
• Don't eliminate companies because they are recruiting for positions outside your field; take the time to network with the recruiter and get the name of a hiring manager for your particular career field.
• Don't just drop your resume on the recruiter's table and walk off. 
• Don't be afraid or intimidated by the recruiter or hiring manager; she or he is there to do a job - to meet and screen potential candidates and depending on the employer, conduct a first interview.
• Don't play with your hair, chew gum, fidget or act distracted.
• Don't barge into a current conversation; wait your turn and be polite.

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