Convention connection - making the best use of job fairs

Black Enterprise, July, 2000 by Tanisha Ann Sykes

Now that you know what to do to get a job at a professional conference, put the info to use and work it on the job-fair circuit. Happy hunting!

Strictly Confidential

Unsure about how to keep your job search on the down-low? Follow these tips to secure a new job without jeopardizing the old one in the interim:

1 Tell the recruiter that your conversation is in confidence.

2 Don't job hunt openly at a conference where your employer is or where you are a recruiter. If your employer is there, or you're representing the firm, set up an appointment.

3 Let your boss know that you are job seeking, but only if the company environment allows for it. If your job would be in jeopardy once you revealed your search, keep it to yourself (see "Bring Your Secret Search to Light," Powerplay, February 2000).

4 Don't use company equipment (i.e., computers, printers or fax machines) to conduct your search. Big brother may be watching!

5 Don't tell co-workers and friends that you are job hunting. It's a small world, and you never know who knows

At-a-Glance

Books

National Directory of African American Organizations
(Philip Morris Cos. Inc.)

For a free copy, send a postcard to: National Directory
of African American Organizations, P.O. Box 407, Whitehouse,
NJ 08888.

Power Interviews: Job-Winning Tactics From Fortune
500 Recruiters by Nell M. Yeager and Lee Hough (John
Wiley & Sons Inc., $14.95)

60 Seconds and You're Hired! by Robin Ryan (Penguin
USA, $10.95)

PRODUCTS

Order the BLACK ENTERPRISE 2000 Calendar of Events for
a complete listing of this year's professional conferences.
To get a copy, send a self-addressed 9 by 12-inch envelope
to: BE, Circulation Dept., 130 Fifth Ave., 10th Floor,
New York, NY 10011: 212-886-9568.

COMPANIES

Career Dimensions
6330 LBJ Freeway, Suite 130
Dallas, TX 75240-6412
972-239-1399

Right Management Consultants
1818 Market St., 33rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-3614
800-237-4448

WEBSITES
www.careerbuilder.com
www.hoovers.com
www.office.com

Also, check out the "Convention Calendar" in the Powerplay
section of BE for monthly convention dates.