SERMACS 2011

Career Fair

The Career Fair at SERMACS will be held October 27-28. Members will have the opportunity to meet with employers to discuss potential job opportunities. Job seekers will be able to enhance their professional development by participating in mock interviews, resume reviews and attend career-oriented workshops.

Hours of operation:

Career Programs*

All Career Fair events take place in the Omni Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. There is a one-time $5 registration fee for participation in any and all of the career workshops on Thursday morning and another one-time $5 registration fee for participation in any and all of the career workshops on Thursday afternoon. Everyone registered for the SERMACS2011 meeting may participate in all other Career Fair events without additional charges. Registration as a job applicant is free, and early registration is strongly encouraged, since this will increase your exposure to posted job openings.

SERMACS 2011 will include three career programs by an ACS Volunteer Career Presenter, which include “Planning a Job Search”, “Resume Preparation”, and “Interviewing Skills.” Tentatively, each program is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and finish at 12:30 p.m. In the afternoon from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. the presenter(s) would be available for individual resume reviews.

Wed, 26 Oct

4:30 – 6:00 PM.  Mid-Career Chemist Program.  This program will include a summary of the current job market for chemists, points to be considered by mid-career chemists when managing their careers, keeping network current, keeping up skills, modern electronic tools, etc.  Followed by panel discussion to answer audience questions.

“Electronic Tools to Enhance Your Career Presentation,” by Dr. Lisa Balbes, Chair of the ACSCommittee on Economic and Professional Affairs, CEPA.  Panel Discussion on issues facing mid-career chemists who are seeking a new job or a new position, by John Engelman, Lisa Balbes, and Mary Moore, ACS Volunteer Career Consultants.

Thurs, 27 Oct

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.  The Career Fair desk will be open permitting employers to review the applications and résumés from job seekers and job seekers to review the listings of posted job   openings. Job interviews may be scheduled throughout the day.
8:00 AM – 12:30 PM.  ACS Career Workshops presented by ACS Volunteer Career Consultants.(A one-time $5 registration fee is required for these morning programs. Space may be limited so early registration is encouraged.)
o “Planning a Job Search,” 8:00-9:20 AM
o “Preparing a Résumé,” 9:30-10:50 AM.
o “Effective Interviewing,” 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Individual Sessions with ACS Volunteer Career Consultants. Sign up is required. (A one-time $5 registration fee is charged for participation in any or all of these afternoon programs.)
o Résumé Review, 1:00-3:50 PM.
o Interviewing and Mock Interviewing, 1:00-3:50 PM.
4:00 PM -5:30 PM.  Speed Networking.

This fun activity gives the participants multiple, non-threatening opportunities to put into practice important interviewing skills. Find out if you can effectively present yourself to prospective employers. (There is no registration fee for participation in this activity, but sign-upis required.)

Fri, 28 Oct

8:00 AM-5:00 PM.  The Career Fair desk will be open permitting employers to review the applications and résumés from job seekers and job seekers to review the listings of posted job openings. Job interviewsmay be scheduled throughout the day.

TBA.  Mini-Symposium: “Career Issues for Today’s Chemists”, time TBA in morning

This session will include 20-minute talks based on recent ACS Webinars and will include the following talks:
o “Job Search Strategies,” Lisa Balbes
o “Preparing a Résumé,” John Engelman
o “Effective Interviewing,” Mary Moore
o “Career Search Issues for Students,” Lisa Balbes

11:30AM-12:30 PM.  Career Fair Reception. This is a social event for all Career Fair participantsincluding employers and job seeker

*The Career Fair schedule is tentative and subject to change.  Please check the schedule closer to the event date.