Digital Mixer: Tips for Student Success

Digital Mixer

A good impression is not made by chance. Use the tips on this page to deliberately plan and prepare for success.

Make Sure You Are Prepared

Review the list of participating organizations available on the Digital Mixer student information page in early January, and research the organizations that interest you prior to the event.

Appropriate dress is business casual attire.

You are encouraged to bring résumé and business cards to exchange with employers.

Each employer you speak to will want a copy of your résumé. Prepare copies of polished, professional résumés to distribute to every representative with whom you speak, plus one for admission to the event, and a few extras.

Gather your résumés and a notepad in a professional portfolio. Include a pen to take notes. Plan to secure briefcases, backpacks, overcoats, or other cumbersome, personal items in the room reserved for this purpose.

Prepare a 20 second summary to use when introducing yourself to employers.

If you are seeking information only, first research your particular field of interest, prior to the event, and compose a list of relevant and specific questions. Research the organizations with whom you plan to speak. Investigating companies and the job market in this way is called informational interviewing. It is essential to convey a professional image and be prepared when you are informational interviewing.

You are encouraged to exchange business cards at Digital Mixer.

In a separate window, review sample business card layout

In a separate window, review résumé tips in our Résumé Workshop

Business Casual Attire

The required dress for this event is business casual. Review these recommendations on business casual attire:

All candidates should wear minimal jewelry: a wedding ring or class ring for men is acceptable, similar rings are acceptable for women. No visible tattoos or body piercing; this includes pierced tongues. The exception is a single pair of small earrings for women. Keep your choices simple and conservative. Avoid extremes of style and color.

Leather shoes that are comfortable to walk in are recommended; do not wear sandals, athletic shoes or hiking boots. Regardless of style, avoid extremes.

Specifics for Men

Men can wear khaki pants or nice slacks. Pants should be creased and tailored.
Ties are not generally required for a business casual event, but you can wear a tie if you choose. It never hurts to slightly overdress. By dressing nicely, you make a good first impression and portray a professional image.
Long-sleeved shirts are considered dressier than short-sleeved. Choosing a white or light blue solid, or conservative stripes is your safest bet. Polo shirts, (tucked in), are acceptable in more casual situations.
Do wear dark socks, mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down.
Facial hair, if any, should be well groomed.

Specifics for Women

Women can wear casual pants or skirts; neither should be tight. Pants should be creased and tailored
Avoid short skirts and high slits. Before choosing a skirt to wear, sit down in it facing a mirror. Be critical and ask yourself if the image is a person who looks appropriate in a business environment.
In addition to tailored shirts or blouses, tailored knit sweaters and sweater sets are appropriate business casual choices for women.
Avoid extremes of nail length and polish color, especially in conservative industries.
A tailored purse is best and one that hangs on your shoulder is often advantageous as it frees your hands for greetings (hand shakes) or holding a beverage.

Strategies for Working the Event

Review the updated information available at the student registration table, on the day of the event. There are sometimes last minute changes (including additional companies) which are only available at the registration table.

Refine your action plan. Prioritize your interest in the organizations and proceed in that order.

As you meet with representatives, your confidence and presentation skills will improve. You may be most polished after one or two encounters with organization representatives.

Before entering the room, set aside casual, personal behavior and mentally prepare yourself for a positive, professional interaction.

Tips for Presentation

Are you well pressed and dressed appropriately? Is your hair well groomed and conservatively styled? Have you removed excess jewelry? Can you smile with confidence? Make a last minute check in a mirror.

Adopt your professional demeanor and enter the fair with a smile.

Circulate by yourself, not in groups or with friends so that you will stand out as an individual when meeting company representatives at the event.

Maintain your professionalism at all times. Representatives note and remember breaches of business decorum.

To make a positive first impression, offer a firm handshake and make direct eye contact.

Introduce yourself and use your 20 second, prepared introduction to begin the conversation. Articulate your job search objective.

You will benefit from having conducted pre-event research on the company and its products or services, because in the conversation you will want to describe how you see yourself fitting in with the organization.

When the organization representative wants to talk to the next person, they will give you a verbal or non-verbal cue. They may make a closing statement: for example, "Thank you for talking with me today “or” I will contact you at a later date.” Non-verbal cues may include interacting with the next person in line by turning toward them, smiling directly at them, or nodding in their direction.

Thank the organization representative for their time and consideration. Ask for a business card - you will need the correct spelling of the name, the title, company address, for your formal thank you letter. It is helpful to have a phone number for your reference. Get a business card from everyone you speak to. If they do not have a business card, ask for their name and the correct spelling, and phone number, and write the information down.

Send a formal thank you letter to everyone with whom you spoke. Computer generate or type the letter. A thank you letter is most effective when mailed within 48 hours.

Need more tips? Review information in a separate window about Job Search Readiness.

REMEMBER!

The Digital Mixer will be a networking reception allowing employers and students to mix, mingle, and discuss employment opportunities.

Employers may come to advertise current or anticipated job openings, or simply come to network and socialize.

This event will not be in a typical job fair format. Employers will not have individual booth space, although there will be table space for the representatives to display company literature.

Collect business cards from the employers you meet to make it easier to follow-up.

Bring business cards and résumés to exchange.

In a separate window, review our Résumé Workshop

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