1 How to Prepare for Public Health Career FairConnecting students to global careers! Paul Hutchinson, Asst. Director

2 Public Health Career Fair - Friday March 3, 2017Every year, the Bloomberg School of Public Health hosts a public health career fair that attracts dozens of employers from around the world. In 2016, 47 employers filled Feinstone Hall and the 1st floor Gallery with over 580 students in attendance. In 2017, 45 employers plan to attend. All up-to-date information including the student handbook, list of registered employers and floor plan can be found at

3 Before the Career Fair

4 Researching employers – before the fairWhat should you research? Location(s) Mission, vision, strategies & goals Projects, news releases History Management and employee data Executive biographies – “About Us” You should do research because... it allows you to interweave your background into what the employer has to offer it allows you to evaluate the employer’s strongest qualities it allows you to impress the company/agency

5 Public Health Career Fair website www.jhsph.edu/careerfair

6 Up-to-date list of employers.Last updated on Friday. Two more will be added to this list FDA/CDER/OSP URC

7 Career Fair Student HandbookPublished handbook will be posted on March 1st on Career Fair website

8 How to use the student handbookInside you will usually find: Descriptions of each organization Address and website Contact names, titles and Hopkins Alumni Currently, 15% of attendees are Hopkins alums Industry types Academia/Research Consulting Government (Federal/State & Local) Hospital/Healthcare NGOs Non-Profits Open positions and degrees being recruited Citizenship requirements

9 Employer Listing inside handbook

10 Employer Listing – a closer look

11 ***Business attire is strongly recommended***Dress for Success ***Business attire is strongly recommended*** If you want to be seen as a professional, dress like a professional Women’s Image Wardrobe Wear a suit (skirt or pants) in plain style Wear fashionable (and comfortable) shoes Make up and perfume should be discreet Avoid dangly earrings, clanking bracelets and floppy scarves - anything that can be distracting Men’s Image Wardrobe It is generally wise to wear a dark suit and a lighter shirt and a dark tie (avoid outrageous patterns) Wear dark colored shoes ---- must be polished

12 410-955-3034 ● [email protected]Update your resume/CV JANE HOPKINS 2017 E. Monument St. Baltimore, MD 21205 ● PROFILE Master of Public Health Candidate concentrating in child and adolescent health. Public health educator with over 6 years experience in international settings. Researcher and community organizer with a strong focus towards improving the quality of life through health communication and cooperation with local governments. Fluent in Spanish. EDUCATION Master of Public Health (MPH) Expected May 2016 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD Concentration: Child and Adolescent Health Relevant Coursework: Principles of Human Nutrition, Prenatal & Infant Growth & Development, Maternal & Child Health Legislation and Programs, Child Health and Development, Infectious Diseases and Child Survival Bachelor of Arts in Government May 2014 Walden University, Middleburg, PA PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERIENCE Health Educator/Treasurer present Latinos for Progress, Baltimore, MD Provide tuberculosis testing & counsel participants on health issues for Baltimore’s Latino population Manage multi-thousand dollar grants & provide health and legal information and support Internal Team Coordinator Bhutan Practicum Project in Health, Baltimore, MD and Thimphu, Bhutan Rural Health and Sanitation Volunteer Peace Corps, Paraguay TEACHING/TRAINING EXPERIENCE Trainer Spring 2014 Area Primary Schools: Nghezimani, South Africa Pre-School Facilitator Fall 2012 El Círculo de Recreación y Aprendizaje: Santa Isabel, Quito, Ecuador RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Research Assistant Present Manage collection, organization, and compilation of data pertaining to FDA sponsored project Faculty Research Assistant University of Maryland, College Park, MD PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Computer Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, STATA, SPSS; Languages: Spanish (Fluent), French (Conversational); Memberships: American Public Health Association (2015–present); Global Health Council (2014-present); Maryland Public Health Association (2013-present); Volunteer: Coordinator, JB Grant Child Survival Week (2015-present) Convert resume to one page Profile = summary Be sure education is highlighted properly Include only bullets for most current experience (1-2 bullets) Adjust margins to fill page (L=0.5”, R=0.5”, T=0.5”, B=0.5”) Add publications (if applicable) Condense Professional Development Choose most relevant categories (language & computer skills) RESUME WRITING RESOURCES -

13 Day of the Career Fair

14 “Map Out” employer tablesThe map for the 2017 Public Health Career Fair will be updated and posted by March 1st.

15 “Map Out” employer tablesThe map for the 2017 Public Health Career Fair will be updated and posted by March 1st.

16 Create a “Top Twelve” listChoose between employers you would like to visit Break them into different tiers 3 or 4 employers you “absolutely” want to visit 3 or 4 employers you “have a strong interest” to visit 3 or 4 employers “have heard of” to visit 3 or 4 employers “have not heard of” to visit Maximizes your time and helps to learn more about lesser known employers and opportunities 2-3 min. conversations can quickly turn into 5-7 min. Best to have longer conversations later

17 How to Talk at a Career FairArrive early most employers are tired by the end of the fair and like to leave early Peak times are at the beginning and mid-point of fair Plan to stay as long as you need Don’t stand in long lines, plan to come back later Introduce yourself with a firm handshake and smile Conversation starters… “Hi, my name is John Hopkins. Thanks for coming today. I’d like to hear more about…” “Hi, my name is Michelle Bloomberg and your organization is one that I’ve had on my radar for a while.”

18 Prepare your talking pointsWork on your one-minute or less introduction Examples: Profile/summary; “elevator speech” It’s a “sound bite” that tells representatives who you are REMEMBER: Practice out loud in front of a mirror, family of a friend, etc. Practice until it rolls off your tongue

19 How to Talk at a Career Fair (cont.)Ask good questions & answer questions using examples Collect representative’s business card(s) Also as much company literature as you can >>> AND THE GOODIES Include business card along with a resume (if applicable) After each conversation, record... any positives and negatives plans on following up things learned Remember: How you initiate a conversation with an employer representative is important. The first words you speak make a big impression on a potential employer.

20 After the Career Fair

21 The Career Fair is over – Now what????Follow-up with companies - This is a very important step in the Career Fair Write a thank you note ( is fine) – it shows you are interested and separates you from the crowd Call to follow-up if that was agreed upon If the company does not call you for an interview, it is fine to call and inquire about the status of the position, restate your interest and skills, and ask about other opportunities. Try to keep your name/skills/training/experience fresh on their minds

22 Career Fair Do’s & Don’tsDo bring resumes & business cards Do bring positive attitude Do bring a game-plan Do bring questions Do follow-up Don’ts Don’t cruise with friends Don’t eliminate employers Don’t drop-off your resume Don’t ramble Don’t come in the last ½ hr RECAP Be prepared beforehand Ensure resume/CV is updated & have questions ready for the employers Be professional during the event Dress properly (no jeans, sweat suits or gym clothes) & answer questions with positive attitude Follow-up Afterwards Use the employer’s business card to send a thank you note

23 5 Things to “Take” to a Career FairResumes and business cards (if you have them) A smile, good eye contact, a firm handshake, and a positive attitude A prepared “pitch” about you Information about the organizations Energy!

24 5 Things to “Take Away” from a Career FairBusiness Cards Notes about Contacts Information about the Organizations Career Possibilities & Networking Opportunities Encouragement and excitement