“WE’VE GOT TOP IT TALENT”
IT RECRUITMENT SHOWCASE
Candiate Event Preperation Guide
Table of Contents
IT RECRUITMENT SHOWCASE OVERVIEW ............................................................................................ 2
DEVELOPING YOUR PRESENTATION ...................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION:........................................................................................................................................ 4
BODY: .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
CONCLUSION: ............................................................................................................................................ 7
PEPARING YOUR EXPO BOOTH .............................................................................................................. 7
RESOURCES & OTHER HELPFUL TIPS ..................................................................................................... 8
ARTICLE: PRESENTATION SKILLS FOR TECHIES ............................................................................................................... 8
DRESSING FOR SUCCESS ................................................................................................................................................ 9
RESUME ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10
INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE......................................................................................................................... 11
Register for this event at
HTTPS://CANDIDATEREGISTRATIONITRECRUITMENTSHOWCASE.EVENTBRITE.COM
Questions Contact:
Stefanie Patti
Student Services Specialist
414-297-7483
[email protected]
Heather Nilsen
TAACCCT Workforce Liaison
[email protected]
“WE’VE GOT TOP IT TALENT”
IT RECRUITMENT SHOWCASE
IT RECRUITMENT SHOWCASE OVERVIEW
This showcase is in a conference-like setting and rotates between the presentation area and
student candidate exposition area.
Presentation Area: (For candidates that have signed up to present)
Candidates’ present their knowledge, skills, abilities and accomplishments in a presentation
style.
Exhibition Area: (For all candidates participating in this event)
Businesses will network and mingle with candidates at their individual booths.
2016 Student Exposition Area
2016 Presentations
“What attracted me was the concept of this event.
It’s a different way to recruit and see this as a great opportunity to make
better connections with candidates.”
US Cellular— Manager, Talent Attraction Programs - Campus
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DEVELOPING YOUR PRESENTATION
This presentation template is a guide to assist you with your presentation, whether you will be
doing a 3-minute presentation or just presenting at your booth. The focus of your
presentation depends on the type of position you are seeking (i.e., program/industry).
Presentation Overview
A. Introduction
1. Tell me about yourself?
a. State your first and last name
b. Describe the type of job you are seeking
i. On your resume, this would be your summary or professional
overview
c. Why should the business continue listening to your presentation (what value
do you bring to the business)?
B. Body
2. Tell me about your experience in (Support, Networking, Development, and
Security)?
a. Highlight a project/IT work experience
i. What is the problem you were trying to solve?
ii. What were the methods you used to solve the problem
1. Briefly state the steps used
2. State any challenges you had and if they needed to tweaks
iii. What was the outcome?
1. As a result or findings
b. Communicating your accomplishments
C. Conclusion
3. Why should a business contact you?
a. Briefly state one point from questions #1 & #2.
b. State what sets you apart from your other classmates
II. Exposition Booth Overview
A. For those candidates presenting, this area will serve as an extension of your
presentation
B. Displays will highlight students experience and accomplishments using IPads and/or
story boards
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IT RECRUITMENT SHOWCASE
INTRODUCTION:
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF?
This question is most often used to start the conversation or break the ice. Typically, used as an
opening question in an interview or networking situation. An elevator pitch is a great technique
used to answer this type of question.
Three Steps To Developing You Elevator Pitch:
An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to highlight yourself to a potential
employer. A good elevator pitch is about 30-60 seconds.
Step #1: Describe WHO you are
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Begin with a hook to get the listener interested in what you have to say
What would you want the listener to most remember about you?
Hi my name is________, I am a 4th semester student in the IT Support Program at MATC. I am currently learning
about_________.I have three years of experience working with the Microsoft Office Suite applications, LANs and
WLANs.
Step #2: Describe WHAT you do and WHY
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How do you make an impact/difference and add value?
What is unique about you?
What do you do and/or have you done that is different and/or better than others?
What are your specific skills?
What makes you stand out?
What are you most proud of (skills, accomplishments, etc.)?
Why should the listener be interested in you and take notice of you?
I have experience working with the features and requirements of Microsoft Operating Systems. My most recent
project was installing, configuring and troubleshooting Microsoft Desktop OS on over 10 computers. Additionally, I
have creating apps for mobile platforms such as Android and iOS.
Step #3: Describe your immediate GOAL(S)
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Make your goals defined, concrete and realistic.
The listener should understand what you are asking him/her.
What is your action request?
I would like to use my experience to produce creative software that is competitive in the market and would benefit
an organization that is focused on intuitive user interfaces and rich user experience.
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IT RECRUITMENT SHOWCASE
BODY:
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN (IT SUP, NET, DEV, AND SEC).
Other examples of how this question can be stated: Tell me about a task or project you have
completed; what steps did you take to complete it; what challenges did you face, and what were
the outcomes?
Your response needs to focus on communicating an accomplishment, specific situation, work
experience or project you had. Your Capstone Project or related work/volunteer projects or tasks
are examples of things you have done to help answer this question. Be sure to include the steps
you used, what challenges you came across, and what the outcome was.
Below are examples of work related skills you learned from the listed courses. Additionally, you
will find a step-by-step worksheet to help transform your work related examples into
accomplishment. As a result you will have specific statements targeted to your audience or job
posting.
Examples of Work Related Skills Learned By Course:
ITNET 110- Manage Windows Desktop Client OS
 Use effective communication skills such as: active listening; oral and written communication
skills used in the business environment
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Install, configure and troubleshoot Windows client
Troubleshoot software installation issues (Installation permissions, Licensing restrictions, Digital
signing) and solve software failure issues
Set up network connectivity and security on Windows client
ITSEC 124- Network Security (COMPTIA Security+)
 Use effective communication skills such as: active listening; oral and written communication
skills used in the business environment
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Configure firewalls, routers, switches, and load balancers to establish secure entire network
Develop, apply and implement security network administration principles
Define and implement appropriate enterprise risk mitigation strategies
ITSUP 140- Support Center Analyst (HDI-SCA, HDI-DST, ITIL)
 Use effective communication skills such as: active listening; oral and written communication
skills used in the business environment
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Manage process of incident management from detection and recording to closure
Utilize critical thinking skills to resolve incidents quickly and consistently
Demonstrate knowledge of core help desk processes and best practices used in service and support
centers
Understanding of ITIL framework and its use in an organizations
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Keep your audience level of understanding in mind, especially when you are presenting technical information such as acronyms.
Acronyms should be used sparingly, but if you need to use them be sure to state what each letter means for example: instead of stating
HDI – Help Desk Institute
Communicating Your Accomplishments:
Interpreting a job posting is a critical step to developing and communicating work related accomplishments. The worksheet below is
designed to help easily turn your duties, tasks and work projects into accomplishment statements that can be used for a targeted resume,
30 second elevator pitch and interview question.
Key points:
1. This is a “living” document and most likely will be completed over a period of time
2. Print off a copy of the job posting. This will make it easier for you to highlight key information and any themes that develop
3. Having access to your past job descriptions, performance evaluations or related information will help you remember related
experiences
Employer Needs
Your Qualifications and Experiences
Going a crossed each row, list an example from each column (B, C, D and E)
A: What is required or
preferred?
(Directly from the job posting,
list required and preferred
duties and qualification on a
separate row)
B: Where did you gain this
experience?
(write the company and
job title that correspond to
column A)
C: Use a Specific
Example
(write a job duty,
situation or problem
that corresponds to
column A)
D: What did you do?
(Action you took as it
corresponds to column C)
E: What was the result or
accomplishment?
(Use numbers to quantify as it
corresponds to column D)
Example:
This position requires excellent
customer service skills.
McDonalds
Counter
Greet customers and
take orders
Listened carefully to
customers order to ensure
order accuracy
Over 35 of the customers I served
sent letters praising my customer
service and attentive listening.
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“WE’VE GOT TOP IT TALENT”
IT RECRUITMENT SHOWCASE
CONCLUSION:
WHY SHOULD A BUSINESS CONTACT YOU?
This is where you can reiterate your goal(s). Give the business a reason to remember you when they
leave. What is going to set you apart from your classmates?
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Highlight any completed certifications you may have, or if you are in the process of gaining the
knowledge to complete them.
Highlight any digital badges (online representation of a skill you’ve earned). Digital badges may
highlight skills, interests and achievements. Employers can explore the data behind every badge
issued using Mozilla Open Badges to verify individuals skills and competencies.
PEPARING YOUR EXPO BOOTH
We strongly encourage candidates to participate in both the 3-minute presentation and having
a booth in the exposition area, although to participate it’s not required to do both. Candidates
that did both (presentation and booth) at last year’s event saw a much greater response from
businesses and a few candidates received job offers as a result.
Much like when you attend a “traditional” job fair, the businesses booths that are eye catching
will most likely encourage you to stop. This is also true for candidates booths that stand-out
from other candidates will attract more businesses to stop. Below are some suggestions for
preparing your booth.
 Booths are small tables with 1 chair
 Story Boards – are very visual and can be seen by attendees, even when you have a
crowd of businesses at your booth. Add highlights from your resume of skills,
accomplishments and career interests. Pictures and graphs will help you tell your story
and attracted more businesses.
iPad: Can be used to similar slides created in a presentation. Here you can demonstrate
your accomplishments that highlight your resume of skills, accomplishments and career
interests. Pictures and graphs will help you tell your story and attracted more
businesses. It can only be seen by people who are standing right at your booth.
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IT RECRUITMENT SHOWCASE
RESOURCES & OTHER HELPFUL TIPS
ARTICLE: PRESENTATION SKILLS FOR TECHIES
It is normal to feel overwhelmed by the idea of standing up in front of potential employers who are
looking for a reason to give you your next job opportunity. Having confidence in yourself and your
presentation will help ease your nerves. Listed below are a few tips to keep in mind when preparing and
rehearsing your presentation.
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When working on your presentation, don't lose sight of your ultimate goals and objectives.
Avoid just reading your slides. Instead, think of your visuals as a table of contents your
audience can follow.
Be mindful of cramming too much information into the slides.
Make eye contact. Talk to the audience, not to a screen.
While practicing, read just the headlines of your slides to make sure the presentation hangs
together.
Practice in front of a mirror or present to someone who doesn't know the material, to get
helpful tips on body language, delivery and overall clarity
Hoffman, Allan. "Presentation Skills for Techies." Monster. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
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DRESSING FOR SUCCESS
“You never have a second chance to make a first impression” –unknown
First impressions count! It takes less than 5 seconds to form a first impression.
Tips
for the Career Fair. (2015). Retrieved March 16, 2016, from http://careerfair.rpi.edu/index.php/area/tips
The way you are dressed may leave an impression that you are unprepared, irresponsible; less capable,
less educated and less qualified before you even speak to the employer! Unfortunately, your clothes can
say more about you than your words. People who are dressed more formally when presenting
themselves to employers will leave the impression of being more capable, intelligent, and responsible.
Your clothing should not be the deciding factor when it comes to your next chance at a job.
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“WE’VE GOT TOP IT TALENT”
IT RECRUITMENT SHOWCASE
RESUME
The average amount of time an employer spends looking at your resume is 10 seconds! How are you
going to make yourself standout?
Resume Tips:
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Do not use computerized templates-they are restrictive and more frustrating that helpful
Expect an average of 4-5 drafts before you have a finished product, make the effort to have a
quality tailored resume
Have multiple people critique it for grammar
Hobbies should not be included
References should not be listed unless asked for
Print in black ink on white paper
Target your resume to each position you apply for and show the employer how you are qualified
for the job. Use the language in the job posting and research the company’s website
Use the following questions to help you describe your experiences:
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What skills did you use and/or develop? (oral/written communication, organizational, problem
solving)
Can you quantify the results of your work? (number of customers served, percentage increase in
sales)
Did your responsibilities change and/or increase over time? Were you promoted?
Did you work on a team, did you supervise a team?
Did you solve problems, Make decisions or recommendations?
How well were you able to work under pressure?
Did you produce documents and/or reports?
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“WE’VE GOT TOP IT TALENT”
IT RECRUITMENT SHOWCASE
INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE
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