Blog Post: Do Your Homework for the Los Angeles Career Expo!!!

I have heard it again and again, employers LOVE it when a potential employee approached them prepared to talk to them.  The idea of being prepared can mean many things, from the basics of being dressed appropriately and having a current resume, all the way to having done their research about the company and positions they have open.  Use the list of attending employers to plan your day and be efficient in your job search!

Start by making sure at the very least you will be dressed appropriately.  You can check out our recommendations of what to wear, and start checking out your closet to make sure you have what you need.  A little shopping may be in order (not that I would mind doing that!), don't forget all the options out there - some fabulous local thrift stores may have just what you need at a price that matches your budget.

Your resume represents you, so double check it and then ask others to do the same for you.  We recently had someone who had forgotten to put his name on his resume, so make sure you check every detail, and use other sets of eyes to back you up, since they haven't been staring at it as much as you have lately.  Utilize the internet for tips on what content to include and even what format to put it in.

When you are checking out the employers attending, start making a hit-list of those that you know you want to talk to.  Prepare yourself to be able to talk about why you want to work for them, whether it is in relation to their products, their industry, or even great feedback you've heard from other employees.  Know where they've been and ask about where they're going - questions are great!  Finally, check out Jobing.com or the employers website to see what positions they are offering and where you would make a great fit.  Really read through their job descriptions so you can speak to where your strengths match their needs, and also to cover your bases for any areas where you might have a weakness.

At the recent Inland Empire Career Expo, I was very impressed by a job seeker who was the complete package.  He looked great, his resume was current, and he knew who he wanted to talk to.  He was SO interested in working for one particular company, he had even already drafted a cover letter to accompany his resume that spoke to the specific position he was interested in, and had customized his resume to focus on the specific employer.  I don't know what happened with him that day, but I can say that if I was the employer presented with that amount of preparation and professionalism, I would be snatching him up!

Don't miss the chance to be snatched up too!!  Stand apart from the crowd and make yourself known!