The purpose of this blog post is to provide questions and answers for all participants at the Get Hired! Virginia Event on Tuesday, October 27, 2009.
For the story behind the event, please reference this recent article.
This important information will be updated regularly so we encourage participants to stay connected. Thanks!
Here are the latest event FAQs:
Q: What is the purpose of the Get Hired! Virginia - Career Speed Networking Experience?
A: To drive out local unemployment and grow the regional economy. And to raise money for a great charity.
Q:Is this a job fair?
A: No! (and that's a good thing). This event is intentionally different because we feel job fairs are not an effective way for job seekers to make meaningful professional connections with recruiters. We also recognize that corporate job fairs typically exclude entrepreneurs who often need the most professoinal help to grow their businesses (even on a part time or project basis).
There are too many talented graduates and professionals not working in Virginia right now so, with the help of over 25 wonderful volunteers, we decided to do something about it.
Q: What do you mean by the serendipity effect?
A: Serendipity is the effect by which one accidently discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something entirely unrelated. So this event is intended to write new rules for getting connected and getting hired (and because it is a lot more fun that standing in line at a job fair). We enlisted arguably the most connected people in any business community - professional recruiters. These good folks are the people you need to know if you are looking for a job.
We will intentionally connect unrelated professionals at this event because that is where relationships are ignited. For example, the speed networking program may connect a finance professional with an IT recruiter. Why? Because under normal job searching techniques, these two would never talk. But at the Get Hired Event, the finance job seeker may discover the IT recruiter lives next door to a Finance Manager at a local company. These are the unforgettable moments of discovery we have all experienced in life.
We do ask that all participants come prepared with their personal elevator pitch. You will need it. But be prepared to help someone else too. Perhaps it is an entrepreneur. Or another job seeker. If you are tired of job fairs and "work the room" events to meet the right people, this experience will probably make you dislike those events even more :-).
Q: Who should attend?
1.Professionals Seeking Employment in Virginia
2.Human Resources Managers and Recruiters
3.Third Party Recruiters
4.Entrepreneurs Seeking Professional Services to Grow Their Business
5.Other Professionals Looking to Hire or Network
Based on the positive response we have received from professional staffing firms, job seekers, local government, and universities in Virginia, we feel this is a “don’t miss” opportunity for anyone serious about their career or business.
Q: Is there a limited number of tickets available?
A: The answer is yes. Due to the structure of group speed networking, our goal is to maintain a balance (ratio) of participant groups. We also have constraints on the facility space itself. We are strongly encouraging all interested parties to register early.
Q: My company is not hiring right now. Should I attend?
A: Yes! This event is first about getting professionals connected. We all recognize that relationships are built over time. Just like any career event, participants do not walk out with a job offer that day. All of us can also speak from experience that you never know who someone else knows until you start talking. Your company may not be hiring right now, but there is a good chance you know someone who is. This group speed networking format will initiate those valuable connections.
Q: How do I know if I am registered?
A: There are two screens to computer registration off the event page. After you enter your contact information on the first page, you will be directed to a https: (secured) webpage to process your ticket purchase via credit card. We are a certified authorize.net merchant. Once complete, you will see a registration confirmation page and you will receive a confirmation email. We have been notified by a number of folks that they are having trouble accessing the credit card transaction page using Internet Explorer 7 or 8.
If you receive a browser certification message, select "continue to this website" to the ticket purchase page. Alternatively, another browser like FoxFire has been tested successfully by our team and customers. If you are still have browser issues with the checkout, please contact us directly to complete registration. Thanks.
Q: Where is Meadow Event Park?
A: Meadow Event Park is the brand new state fairgrounds facility just north of Richmond and south of Fredericksburg.The facility has spectacular indoor pavilions available for our use on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 4 pm.
Meadow Event Park is located right off I-95 at the Kings Dominion exit (look for the Eiffel Tower above the tree line).Drive past the entrance to Kings Dominion on your right, cross the train tracks, and then look for the white fence entrance to Meadow Event Park on your left.
Q: Is there a cost to participate in the Get Hired! Virginia event?How come?
The cost to participate is $20 per person.
The reason for the ticket price is to offset the significant costs of the event itself (e.g. facilities, food, beverages).We recognize every dollar counts these days for so many Americans so we are doing everything we can to keep event costs down while preserving a high quality experience for all participants.
We also discovered typical “work the room” networking receptions (which this is not and that too is a good thing) cost between $15 and $30 per person to attend.
We have no marketing budget so we are relying on your help to get the word out to all professionals in Virginia who would benefit from this event.
Our company is also using a portion of the event proceeds to benefit the Dress for Success organization.
So this event is, in short, about helping people get back to work and helping those organizations that provide opportunities for professionals.But there is a cost to make this happen.Thank you for your understanding and support.
Q: What is the Dress for Success organization and how are they specifically benefiting from this event?
A: Dress for Success promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help clients find jobs and remain employed.
Twenty five percent of all ticket sales will enable our company to donate copies of the Interviw Angel padfolio (at their request) to the Virginia affiliate of Dress for Success, located in Newport News.
For more information, please reference our press release with Dress for Success and Ignite Speed Networking.
Q: What is the Interview Angel padfolio?Is there a discount available for event participants?
A: The Interview Angel padfolio was launched on Dec. 1, 2008 after six months of design and collaboration with hiring managers and professional staffing firms.Notably, the Interview Angel toolkit is structured in a professional padfolio designed to be taken into the interview itself, helping candidates remain confident, focused and organized.
Interview Angel Inc. markets the product primarily to businesses, local government agencies, and universities as a low cost supplement to their existing outplacement services.The product itself is also made available for individual purchase from our website www.interviewangel.com.
Customer testimonials are available on our website for reference.
Event participants are welcome to use code GetHired online to save $20 off the $89 retail price.
Q: Count me in!How do I register for the event on Tuesday, October 27?
A: Participants are asked to pre-register for the event on our website event page.Simply click on Register Now at the bottom of the page to complete registration.All credit card transactions are handled through our secured authorize.net merchant account.
You will receive a registration confirmation via email.We will also be sending out email reminders and tips to all participants through our customer newsletter.We will not share your information with anyone and you can opt out of the distribution list at any time.
We are encouraging professionals to register as soon as possible as there are a limited number of seats available for the Get Hired! Virginia event.
Q: If something comes up and I am unable to attend, can I get a registration refund?
A: Absolutely.We simply ask that you contact us by Monday, October 26.
Q: Can I register at the door?
Our goal is to have as many professionals in Virginia attend so we want to be as accommodating as possible.If there are seats available, we will be able to process some walk-in registrations at the door.The registration fee at the door will also be $20 per person.Please arrive no later than 4 pm on Tuesday, October 27 if registering for the event at the door.
Because of the nature of the speed networking experience, we are encouraging all participants to pre-register for the event online so that we can design your table rotations.
Q: What can I do to help make this event a success for its participants? And for myself?
A: Please spread the word about the event via your professional and personal networks!Often the person you can help the most is the person you least expect.
A: Here are our recommended guidelines for starting a professional relationship via LinkedIn.
Q: What is the sequence of activities at the event?
A: Here is the current schedule of activities:
4:00 pm:Event Sign-in, Table Assignments, and Networking
4:30 pm:Introductions and Instruction
4:45 pm: Career Speed Networking Experience Starts (5 Rounds)
A: Yes!That was another reason we selected Meadow Event Park.Participants will be able to park adjacent to the facility.Please look for signs when you arrive.
Q: What are your recommendations for my 1-minute pitch?
Q: Will this event be held again in Virginia?What about other states?
A: It is our intention to offer this innovative networking model on future dates and in other locations.At the time, no other dates have been set in Virginia or in other states, but we do have event team leads in Orlando, FL and Orange County, CA already planning ahead.
Q: Are there discounts available for group registrations?
A: Unfortunately no.Due to the overhead costs of an event of this magnitude, we are asking each participant to register individually.
Q: Will I be provided a list of event attendees?
A: All participants will be provided a list of all attendees.This information will be distributed via email.Participants will also receive a seating assignment report that lists out each person who was sitting at each table during each round.
Q: Are sponsorship opportunities available for vendors?
A: Yes!Vendors will receive 2 complimentary tickets to the Career Networking Experience, logo on the Get Hired! Virginia event webpage, and organization display space for a booth or 6 ft skirted table during the event registration and reception.
Q: What does networking have to do with finding a job?
A: Everything!
Building your circle of contacts through networking is the key to finding a job.Equally important, if you currently have a job you must continue to build your circle of contacts … and we feel there is no better forum than the Get Hired! Virginia Career Speed Networking Experience, where you’ll establish the most contacts in one evening.
Q: What is the recommended attire?
A: We recommend business professional attire.Don’t forget, first impressions mean a lot!But you can leave the tie at home.We want participants to dress comfortably.
Q: How can I best prepare for the event?
A: Prepare your elevator speech, print your business cards, and make sure to periodically visit www.interviewangel.com for helpful blogs with career and networking information.But most of all come prepared for an exciting and productive evening of professional networking.
Q: What should I bring to the event?
1. Approximately 50 - 100 business cards
2. Your 1-minute pitch written down
3. Something to write with
4. Something to take notes on
5. An eagerness to help others
Q: How does group speed networking work?
Basic speed networking is a process where networkers meet one-on-one with other networkers in a fast-paced, structured setting. Usually an individual will have the chance to meet 5-15 other people.
Ignite speed networking combines the excitement of basic speed networking with the more effective and comfortable environment of networking in small groups rather than one-on-one. At an Ignite speed networking event, participants meet at tables of 7-10 for comfortable networking sessions that last about 10 minutes each.
Each person has one minute to deliver his pitch to the entire table.
When time is up, everyone moves on to the next, pre-assigned table to meet with a brand new group of people. New opportunities to ignite a business spark are found at each table – duplicates are all but eliminated throughout the process.
Q: Will resumes be accepted at the event?
A: Job seekers are welcome to have a few copies of their resumes handy, but do not plan to distribute them at each networking table.
Q: Will short interviews be expected?
A: No.Participants are strongly encouraged to take steps to schedule follow up meetings or interviews with people they connect with.
Q: How many people do you expect to attend?
A: It is hard to say until the actual event time.But we already have a good mix of job seekers, recruiters, and entpreneurs registered. Our top priority is quality of experience, not quantity of participants. Picture the exact opposite of a job fair.
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