See results from participation in last year's Career Forum and check how participants prepared for the event. Learn from their experience about how you can get ready for the upcoming Career Forum.
* Information below is based on last year's Los Angeles Career Forum Participant Survey results.
Prior to the Career Forum
Did you attend the Career Forum intending to seek a full-time or an internship position?
Although most of the companies are hiring candidates for full-time positions, more and more companies are also seeking interns. Even if you are a year or two away from beginning your job search, you can still attend to see what opportunities are available. Some companies hold seminars and information sessions during the event which are great resources to learn more about companies and their products/services. You also have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with company representatives, allowing you to hear the current market trends in the industry hiring.
When did you start preparing for the Career Forum?
With companies conducting multiple rounds of interviews during the Career Forum, preparation prior to the event is key. These include creating resumes, applying to companies online and practicing for interviews. Many candidates start their preparation over a month before the Career Forum.
How many companies did you apply to online prior to the Career Forum?
Because some companies set up appointments prior to the Career Forum and others only meet with candidates who have previously applied online, applying to companies online is a must. Instead of waiting until the event, utilize the application as your first contact with the company to let them know of your interest.
How many appointments were you able to set up prior to the Career Forum?？
Did you go ahead and visit the booth even if you did not receive a response from the company after applying online?
Not hearing back from a company you applied to does NOT mean you are not qualified for the position.
Companies use the online application in different ways, and it is not unlikely that some will not respond back to any of the applicants. As you can see, more than half the participants still visited the company's booth even if they did not have an appointment. Many of the companies do set aside time to interview candidates who visit their booths on the day of the event, so do not hesitate! You should actively visit companies of interest.
Day of the Event
How many companies did you visit in total?
Companies hold multiple rounds of interviews during the event. Over 70% of past participants had second-round or more interviews with companies. Having several rounds of interviews with one company can take up time and limit how much you have to meet with other companies. The average number of companies a candidate can meet during the event is between 8 and 10 companies. In order to make the most of the time you have at the Career Forum, make sure to list the companies you wish to visit and prioritize them to keep yourself on track.
Did you receive any offer of employment?
The company representatives who attend the Career Forum are not just HR staff, but department managers, directors, and even company presidents. Because the decision makers are at the event, the interview process moves relatively quickly with a possibility of receiving on-site offers from companies by the end of the event.
Voices from past participants
Thank you for the opportunities you gave to me! I really appreciate it.
Thank you for having great opportunity every year.
I loved the career forum!! (This was my first time to attend)
Although most of the companies are hiring candidates for full-time positions, more and more companies are also seeking interns. Even if you are a year or two away from beginning your job search, you can still attend to see what opportunities are available. Some companies hold seminars and information sessions during the event which are great resources to learn more about companies and their products/services. You also have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with company representatives, allowing you to hear the current market trends in the industry hiring.
With companies conducting multiple rounds of interviews during the Career Forum, preparation prior to the event is key. These include creating resumes, applying to companies online and practicing for interviews. Many candidates start their preparation over a month before the Career Forum.
Because some companies set up appointments prior to the Career Forum and others only meet with candidates who have previously applied online, applying to companies online is a must. Instead of waiting until the event, utilize the application as your first contact with the company to let them know of your interest.
Not hearing back from a company you applied to does NOT mean you are not qualified for the position.
Companies hold multiple rounds of interviews during the event. Over 70% of past participants had second-round or more interviews with companies. Having several rounds of interviews with one company can take up time and limit how much you have to meet with other companies. The average number of companies a candidate can meet during the event is between 8 and 10 companies. In order to make the most of the time you have at the Career Forum, make sure to list the companies you wish to visit and prioritize them to keep yourself on track.
The company representatives who attend the Career Forum are not just HR staff, but department managers, directors, and even company presidents. Because the decision makers are at the event, the interview process moves relatively quickly with a possibility of receiving on-site offers from companies by the end of the event.