Career Center offers tips for UTSA grads meeting employers in person

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SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 — Even as students return to campus, many are already thinking about how to turn their degree into a fulfilling career. To help those students, the UTSA Career Center will host the Career Expo PREP Workshop “What to Expect at Career Expos” from noon to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 6 p.m. today at the Student Union (SU 2.02.04).

This event is aligned with the mission of the center: to help all Roadrunners discover, pursue and achieve their unique career goals.

The center has also prepared the following roadmap to help students face that first challenge to landing a job: a successful job interview.

Preparation:

Before you go shake hands and start making connections, do your research. Jump on the company or organization’s website and answer these questions:

• What are some current and ongoing projects?
  
  
• What impact are they making on the industry?
  
  
• Where can you connect your knowledge, skills, and abilities to theirs? It is so important and highly recommended by recruiters and employers, to take this key step on your job search journey.

Communication:

Oral communication is only a small part of total communication. Nearly 47% of your message is communicated by the quality of your voice, tone and inflection. The rest of your message is transmitted through non-verbal communication and body language. Facial expressions, gestures, and voice tone and inflection can affect the meaning of the message. As a result, others may not hear and understand what you intend for them to hear and understand.

The University Career Center has a variety of resources to help Roadrunners go from graduate to gainfully employed, including:

• VMock: UTSA students can submit their resumes any time of the day to ensure that it is better prepared for job applications. The Elevator Pitch module on VMock helps individuals develop a quality story about their background and qualifications—the elevator pitch.
  
  
• Handshake: UTSA students and alumni may use Handshake to search for jobs and internships, view and attend virtual recruiting events, and schedule appointments with a UCC career consultant.
  
  
• Roadrunner Network: UTSA students have access to a powerful online and in-person network of diverse mentors. Joining and engaging with the Roadrunner Network can help students build connections with alumni—both local and global—and with UTSA faculty and staff.
  
  
• Career Fairs and Industry/Employer-hosted events: These gatherings provide the opportunity to learn more about a company of interest, and even the chance to meet a company’s executives and decision makers. Remember to do a little research on the companies attending the career fair and find out what topics they might be interested in. Wear smart casual attire. You want to feel relaxed, well-groomed, in professional attire. Smile and make eye contact in the process.

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Once at the event, remember these tips for making the best impression:

• Stand up and stand tall. This shows courage and assertiveness.
  
  
• Avoid mumbling and slurring, or talking too quietly or too loudly.
  
  
• Controlling the nerves. Make a genuine connection rather than rushing through a one-on-one with an employer and use deep breathing or centering to stay relaxed and calm.
  
  
• Communicate reliable information. Make an argument for employment that is solid and trustworthy by using facts and data. Business cards and resumes are key.

— Brittany Salinas and Lisa Vigil

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