Details for Fashion Design and Textile Design students

Thursday, February 16th

12:00pm - 2:30pm

Kanbar Campus Center Balcony

Event overview and timeline

*Profile sheet:  Each participating student will receive a profile sheet to display next to their portfolio.  Employers will use these sheets to learn about you as well as to request a 10-minute time slot to meet with you during the Invitation-Only Review period.

On the sheet, you will fill out basic information about yourself (name, major, when you will be graduating), and whether you are seeking full-time postions or internships.

When you register for the event, you will be sent a copy of the profile sheet.  We ask that you have this sheet filled out and ready to hand in when you drop off your portfolio on the morning of the event.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Who is eligible to attend?

As requested by our employer partners, currently enrolled Philadelphia University junior, senior, and graduate students in the following majors are invited to attend this portion of the Career & Internship Fair² (CIF²): Fashion Design undergraduate students and Textile Design, undergraduate and graduate students.

Juniors and Seniors as well as Graduate students (who will be graduating in December or May) are urged to attend in order to speak with employers about full-time opportunities which are not immediate-fill but instead typically budgeted for the upcoming June.  Graduate students who will not be graduating in the Spring and Juniors will have the opportunity to speak with employers about internship opportunities -- it will be vital to research each individual company to know if you will be eligible based on your class standing.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How do I register for Career & Internship Fair²?      

Eligible students will receive an invitation via email that will allow them to register for the event. Carefully follow the instructions on the invitation.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What happens when I register?

After registering for the event, you will receive several follow-up emails from the Career Services staff.  These emails will include updates about the event as well as details regarding the actual day.   As a result of registering, you will also receive a professional nametag that will be created on your behalf.  You will pick up your nametag once you arrive at the event, demonstrating preparedness to the employers with whom you interact.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What are "Portfolio Reviews"? 

Portfolio Reviews, for the purpose of CIF², are 10 minute appointments that allow you to showcase your work to a recruiter from an organization.  The representatives who attend CIF² use these Portfolio Reviews in order to select candidates to interview for internships or full-time positions within their companies.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What should be in my portfolio?

The types of pieces that you include in your portfolio depend on your discipline, the types of organizations you hope to work with, and the skill sets that you posses.  For more information regarding your portfolio, check out the new portfolio-related resources on the Career Services website.  As you will see on the following webpage (Creative/Design Portfolios) each of the resources indicate the industry to which it is most connected.  It is highly encouraged, however, that you consider reviewing ALL of the employers' tips, as the advice they offer may prove useful to you as someone hoping to enter a design profession. 

As a general rule, however, arrange the contents of your portfolio in a clean, neat, and organized fashion.  Attempt to demonstrate the process(es) involved with your work and try to show as many different skills as possible.  

Please bring a physical portfolio (as opposed to a digital version) to the event. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What should I do to prepare for the event?

First, research the list of companies that are planning to attend the event (see Researching a Company resources) in detail, focusing on those that are recruiting for your major.  Examine how the organizations align with your interests, values and career goals. Since you will be invited to meet with those employers who find you interesting, it is important to have an understanding of each company -- just in case they select you for a review!

Researching each organization is also important because you will have the chance to interact with those who did not select you for a review during the Open Networking period.  Formulate a "Wish LIst' before the day of the event arrives and plan who you'd like to speak to during Open Networking based on what your schedule looks like during the Invitiation-Only time period.

Prepare your 30-second spot, or “elevator speech" ahead of time as well.  An elevator speech will serve as your introduction to the employer and will allow you to begin discussing how your skills and interests align with the company for which they work as you transition to showing them your portfolio.

For additional information on how to prepare for the event, check out these resources.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How do I approach the Open Networking period?

First, research the list of companies that are planning to attend the event (see Researching a Company resources) in detail, focusing on those that are recruiting for your major.  Examine how the organizations align with your interests, values, and career goals and formulate a "Wish List" of those you'd like to speak with most.

Prepare your 30-second spot, or “elevator speech.".  An elevator speech will serve as your introduction to the employer when you approach them and will allow you to begin discussing how your skills and interests align with the company for which they work. 

When you pick up your portfolio and profile sheet, measure your "Wish List" against who invited you for a portfolio review.  If a company appears on your "Wish List" but not on your schedule for the Invitation-Only Review period, plan to approach their table during the Open Networking period. 

When the Open Networking period begins, approach the employer's table, firmly shake their hand, and introduce yourself with your prepared elevator speech.  You may have to wait in line, so plan this half-hour wisely, devoting your time to those employers about whom you are most exited.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why is it important for me to meet with employers who are "scouting for talent"?

You may find in your research before Career & Internship Fair² that there are some employers who are attending the event and have identified that they will have “no open positions” but “will be scouting talent.”  It is important for you to come to CIF² and meet face-to-face with these employers on the day of the event to showcase your skill sets and to network with professionals in your industry.

You might be wondering why employers might be coming just to “scout talent”.  In a typical job market, “…[o]nly about 5-20% of all job openings are ever publicly known, which results in about four-fifths, or 70-85% of the job market being ‘closed.’  This means that it is difficult to find new openings unless one does some digging.  Strategies for uncovering the hidden job market include networking…”  (Taken from the “Job Seeker Glossary” on Quintcareers.com).  As you are aware, the job market right now is not exactly “typical” -- it is tighter and much more competitive that it has been in recent years. 

Therefore, developing a strong professional network is going to be an essential factor in determining the success of your job search.  Rather than focusing your attention only on employers who have open positions, it is VITAL to make personal connections with employers and individuals in the industry that you wish to enter.  At CIF², by taking the time to meet with employers face-to-face, you have the opportunity to demonstrate your talents, to convey your enthusiasm for their organization and to impress them with your knowledge and past experiences. 

If all of this information has not yet convinced you, here is the logic behind making these face-to-face meetings a priority in your job or internship search -- if you have proven your knowledge and skills to someone at CIF² who is “scouting talent”, your name may surface on a short-list of candidates they reach out to when a new position does become available. Don’t YOU want to be on that list?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What should I wear?

Use your best judgment when choosing attire for the day of CIF² .  It is possible that the employer who ultimately hires you encourages a casual day-to-day work environment; however, it is important to keep in mind that you will be meeting with and be seen by many employers over the course of the afternoon who represent a wide variety of work cultures.  With that being said, it is recommended that you dress to the highest common denominator and not to the lowest.

Be prepared -- you may see organization representatives dressed in jeans at the Fair.  Since these individuals are employed, this type of clothing may be appropriate for the organization they are representing.  Since you are not yet employed, jeans are inappropriate and you should instead dress at a level higher than everyday dress.

Still confused?  Choose an outfit that you would wear to a nice restaurant.

If you have questions about what to wear based on the industry you are aiming to enter, check out this website and/or stop by the Career Services Center and speak with a counselor.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What about a business card and my resume?

Business cards can be an effective way to keep in touch with individuals you meet but they are certainly not material that is required to attend the event.  When meeting with representatives from organizations in which you have an interest, don't forget to ask for their card.  At this time, you can also offer your own business card (if you have them).  As for your resume -- make sure to bring multiple copies along with you.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Which organizations are recruiting from my major?

For a list of attendees that will be at the event, view the main

Career & Internship Fair² page.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us at 215.951.2930
or email to careerservices@philau.edu.