Tag: recruiting

  • How to Prepare for a Career Fair

    How to Prepare for a Career Fair

    The possibility of connecting with a prospective employer at a career fair can be nerve-wracking — we’ve all been there. Fortunately, impressing recruiters can be surprisingly simple with thorough preparation and a confident attitude. Below, we’ll cover essential things to bring to a career fair and other helpful tips.

    how to prepare for a career fair

    What’s a Career Fair? 

    A career fair describes an event where job seekers can:

    • Connect with employers.
    • Learn about openings.
    • Discuss internship opportunities.
    • Apply for jobs.
    • Establish professional relationships.

    Career fairs can be general or industry-specific. Some companies even host career fairs to fill their positions exclusively. The events usually occur in large venues like conference centers, schools and hotels. They can last anywhere from a few hours to several days.

    Typically, each organization has a booth or table with a human resources (HR) representative, recruiter or hiring manager. Depending on the company’s needs, an individual can be scheduled for an interview or hired on the spot.

    Explore some ways to prepare for a career fair below.

    1. Pre-Register for the Event

    Many job fairs let participants submit their resumes and other information beforehand. Doing so helps employers learn about these individuals and prescreen them before the event.

    2. Research Attending Companies

    Before the event, take some time to research different organizations that will attend. By learning about these companies, career fair participants can come prepared with questions about the organization and their openings. Asking questions displays a genuine interest in the company, which can impress employers.

    Consider making a priority list of booths, then try to visit them in order of interest. Create a different list of questions for each company based on research.

    3. Print Resumes

    A resume serves as one of the most vital things to bring to a career fair, as it highlights key skills and experiences for employers. Be sure to bring multiple copies for different companies. An organization representative may even request multiple copies. Career fair participants should update and polish their resumes before the event, ensuring they’re thorough, well-written and error-free.

    4. Print Business Cards

    Job seekers with dedicated business cards can benefit from bringing them to the career fair. A business card should include the individual’s full name, contact information, current title, brief mission statement and other applicable information. Participants can distribute business cards to companies of interest.

    5. Bring a Portfolio

    Professional portfolios play an important role in job fairs. They let job searchers showcase their projects and work, showing employers how they have succeeded in previous roles. A portfolio can outline both soft and hard project completion skills. Participants may consider only keeping professional evidence relevant to the fields and careers they’re seeking.

    6. Create an Elevator Pitch

    create an elevator pitch

    An “elevator pitch” describes a 30- to 60-second speech where a person introduces themselves, explains their skills and describes their career objectives. Students should talk about their academic and extracurricular experiences and how they connect to their career goals.

    Writing and practicing an elevator pitch can better prepare individuals for what they’ll say when speaking with prospective employers. It’s a simple, direct and effective way to make a lasting impression in a minute or less.

    7. Prepare for Common Interview Questions

    Participants should practice answering some standard interview questions in case they land an interview at the event. Consider reading over several common interview questions and determine the most accurate ways to answer them.

    8. Be Confident

    Looking and feeling confident plays a critical role in impressing recruiters and employers. Participants should introduce themselves with a smile and a firm handshake to make a strong first impression. They should be ready to hand over their resume or give their elevator pitch when appropriate.

    It’s normal to be a little nervous, but appearing overly timid may be a turnoff to potential employers. Participants should carry themselves calmly and confidently without coming off as too formal or rigid. It’s not just about skills and experience — employers also want to get a feel for personalities.

    9. Take Notes

    Consider bringing some pens and a small notebook or notepad to the career fair. When visiting different booths, participants can benefit from taking brief notes after each session. They should take a few minutes between each company conversation to jot down key points, such as: 

    • Who they spoke with.
    • General company information.
    • Job requirements.
    • Salary information.
    • Contact information for a representative they met or can follow up with.

    10. Network

    Aside from speaking with company representatives, career fair participants should try to connect with fellow job seekers. Networking lets job searchers build relationships and share valuable information about different companies, openings and internship opportunities. When visiting organizations at the event, consider requesting information about networking opportunities.

    11. Follow Up

    After the career fair, participants might consider adding the representatives they met on LinkedIn. They can also send a thank-you message for speaking with them — this simple act can go a long way.

    Tips for Virtual Career Fairs

    A virtual career fair differs from an in-person one since it relies on technology to connect job seekers and employers. However, participants can prepare for a virtual job fair as they would for an in-person one.

    They should research different companies, have their resume and elevator pitch ready, write down a list of questions and take notes of their conversations. Despite the event being online, they should dress professionally as they would for an in-person career fair. Be sure to find a quiet spot with a neutral background before logging on to the event, and test audio and recording equipment before the event begins.

    Following up can be important after attending a virtual session, as participants might not have enough time to chat with the team due to time limitations. They can follow up through LinkedIn or request an email address to schedule a chat with representatives they would like to learn more from.

    Apply to Danaher Today

    apply to Danaher today

    Whether preparing for your interview or visiting career offices for guidance during your job hunt, we know that finding a job can be overwhelming. If you’re in the process of a job or internship search, we invite you to join the Danaher Talent Community. Here, you’ll connect with our Talent Acquisition team, get the latest news about our company and receive updates on job openings.

    We provide job opportunities in various fields, including life sciences, diagnostics and environmental and applied solutions. Our team members help solve real-world problems, make the world a better place and impact millions of lives.

    While we employ over 81,000 people, we foster a tight-knit community where everyone can be heard and make a difference. You can also browse our blog for success stories of individuals who have thrived in their fields and discovered their passions by partnering with Danaher.

    We’re here to support your job search and career goals every step of the way. Explore our job openings and apply to Danaher today!

    Check out open roles across Danaher or join our talent community today.

  • Building an Inclusive Future

    Building an Inclusive Future

    STEM Recruiter Keithen Stallings springs out of bed every day at 4:30 a.m. Even with the early start, the East St. Louis, Illinois, native knows there aren’t enough hours in the day to help everyone he wants to support, but he’ll do his best with the time he has. 

    Stallings is energized by the potential of the next generation—the people he recruits for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) roles through Danaher’s University Recruiting program as well as those he mentors as Founder and President of The Access Foundation and as President of 100 Black Men of St. Louis. Whether he’s supporting underprivileged kids in STEM education or mentoring local adults, Stallings remains focused on reaching as many people as possible, driving inclusion in STEM, and maximizing his impact. 

    As Stallings puts it: “I believe that what people see is what they’ll be, so I try to be the best version of myself and inspire others to do the same.”

    Charting a Course

    Growing up in East St. Louis, Stallings attended a public school among poverty-stricken neighborhoods. While he had a lot of great teachers, there were many obstacles and a lack of resources in the schools and community. He credits his mom, a single parent who worked several jobs while raising three boys on her own, for his work ethic and leadership skills.

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    “When I was growing up, you really had to be intentional about the choices you made and the path you took. I needed to have a plan to graduate from high school, to go to college, and to do something better than what I’d seen around me. I was blessed to have my mom and older brother—two people who guided me in the right direction,” says Stallings.

    After graduating from Illinois State University—the first in his family to earn a college degree—Stallings continued to chart a course for his future. He returned to his community to help others fulfill their own potential.

    In 2017, Stallings’ sense of duty and passion for helping others inspired him to found The Access Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to providing kids with access to education and STEM resources. Stallings draws on his own background to coach students from kindergarten through high school and into college. “A lot of these kids are in situations that they don’t know how to handle. They need encouragement to realize their potential,” he says. In 2019 alone, 1,200 kids participated in the Access Foundation’s leadership academies and other events.

    Stallings is fueled by encouragement and gratitude from the students he mentors and their parents. “Sometimes I don’t realize the impact I’m having until I hear it from someone else,” Stallings says. Recently, a mentee texted Stallings about earning a 3.5 GPA. And the mother of a mentee, whom Stallings had mentored for five years, thanked him on Facebook; her son had just been awarded Mentee of the Year by the 100 Black Men of St. Louis, and Stallings had presented the honor himself. The mother shared that Stallings took her son to his first Rams game in 2014 and praised him for “showing up” when her son needed it most.

    Colleagues at Danaher appreciate Stallings’ contributions and feel inspired by his dedication to making an impact. “As people leaders, we have a responsibility to create an environment where associates can bring their whole selves to work,” says Nicole Wormley, Director of Talent Branding and University Recruitment. “Keithen’s commitment to St. Louis is a part of who he is. I’m so proud of his accomplishments for Danaher, and I’m equally proud of the many ways he contributes to his community.”

    An Opportunity for Impact

    Stallings has worked as a university recruiter for nearly two decades—and when he saw the chance to lead STEM recruitment at the university level for Danaher, he seized the opportunity to impact STEM recruiting and inclusion initiatives on a national scale.

    Stallings was impressed by Danaher’s focus on continuous improvement. “ I knew I could come here and be successful,” he says. “Danaher provides me with the flexibility to build programs like the STEM Ideas Program,” which offers new grads an in-depth, fast-track path to STEM leadership. “Even though I’m in my first year,” Stallings says, “I’ve been encouraged to make the changes to the program that I thought were needed. We’re always focused on making things better.”

    Right now he’s focused on a biomedical engineering initiative, traveling to colleges around the country to promote Danaher’s rotation program and to teach students about high-visibility, fast-track positions at Danaher. Stallings views his job as equal parts recruiter and coach, and says he spends a lot of time reminding students of their capabilities.

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    “The ways students work today will simply blow the minds of the average employee,” Stallings says. “I remind the students I meet that they’re at the cutting-edge of technology and they should take full advantage of it. But how they show up is important, too. I tell them to practice speaking with friends and to practice in the mirror. Every interaction they have is part of the interview process. Every conversation matters. I encourage them to bring everything they have to the table,” he says.

    Pursuing a More Inclusive Future

    Today’s students grew up with technology at their fingertips, and it’s their skills and potential that give Stallings hope for the future. While he’s seen great progress since he started his career, there’s more work to be done to drive equity in opportunities, especially in underprivileged communities and for people of color, Stallings says. The lack of resources in certain communities and the increasingly high cost of education and student debt remain barriers to inclusivity in STEM fields.

    But Stallings sees glimmers of hope for kids who might not have the opportunity or financial resources to take traditional paths from high school to college to the workforce. He works with  LaunchCode, an organization that offers free training for technology jobs in major cities around the U.S. And through the 100 Black Men’s Youth Ambassador program, students aged 8 to 18 complete a curriculum focused on conflict resolution, problem-solving, and goal-setting.

    On the Access Foundation’s “Super STEM Saturdays,” Stallings takes high school students to local colleges to teach them the steps to get into college—and to show the reality of the possibilities in front of them. “Lots of students don’t have that foundation or a guide to let them know what it takes to get into college,” he says. “It’s a multi-year process. You can’t wait until your senior year to decide you want to go.”

    At Danaher, recruiters cast a wide net in hopes of finding candidates from a range of backgrounds and communities. When Stallings attends career fairs and hackathons, he focuses on skills and potential, not credentials or appearances. “We have to recognize that some of the traditional methods of recruitment may not work with the new generation. We need to play in their space and to make them comfortable being who they are,” he says.

    Committed to a Life of Influence 

    If his own life is any indication, the students that Stallings mentors have a real chance to accomplish anything they set their minds to.

    “I think every person is put on earth to make it just a little bit better, every employee should have that same mentality. The work we do at Danaher naturally has a great impact. Everyone who joins gets a chance to contribute to Danaher’s larger purpose.”

    While he hasn’t found a way to add more hours to the day, Stallings is determined to squeeze the most out of each one. “My work doesn’t have boundaries. I try to help as many people as possible, professionally and personally.”

    Interested in joining Keithen Stallings and the rest of the Danaher team? Check out open roles or join our early careers talent community today.