WiCS GHC 2022

How to make the most of GHC guide:

Hi everyone! I’ve decided to create a “How to make the most of GHC guide” for future SFU WiCs members!

1. The biggest and most important thing is to get your resume into the GHC resume database ASAP. Companies have already been given access to this database and I’m more than sure they’ve begun contacting potential interviewees. You would want to give companies as much time as possible to find you and begin the interview process.
   1. This can be found on https://ghc.anitab.org/attend/resume-database
   2. You want to put your resume as soon as you are selected to go to GHC
   3. Once you added your resume in, you’ll start to get a lot of emails for interviews or exclusive meet and greet with many companies!
      1. In 2022, I got invited to TD’s Dave and Buster’s after event, Bank of Amercia’s after hours harry potter land and Google’s after hours event. This is where you’re able to network and meet like minded people who share the same passions!
2. Tips for the of day
   1. Wear super comfortable shoes and always bring a waterbottle with you.
   2. Print out a few pages of your resume if you’re looking for an internship or new grad role! (hotels often do this for free if you forget)
   3. Don’t be afraid to talk to all the companies and stay at the career fair for 1-2 full days, there are a lot of companies to see and learn! d. Bring a few snacks with you! GHC does not serve any meals, however they do bring out snacks but its always best to have some on hand just in case.
   4. The hotel shuttles to GHC is only in the mornings and evenings so if you decide to go mid day, you’ll have to wait for a long time.
   5. Bring comfortable and cool clothing, maybe a light sweater for indoors. Orlando is very humid outside, but the AC inside the conference halls can also be cold if you stay indoors for a long time.
   6. A tote or backpack 🎒 to carry personal items at the conference (i.e. for your resumes and swag)
   7. have DIGITAL versions of your resumes (i.e. a PDF version), downloaded onto your phone
      1. have SHAREABLE LINKS to your resumes (i.e. a Google Drive shareable link visible to anyone), copy and pasted into your phone notes or memo
      2. Almost all companies at the career fair will either take a physical copy of your resume, have you scan code/fill out form/digitally submit your resume, or have you take a photo of your resume to submit via a link
3. Book hotels on the GHC website as early as you can!
   1. They have partnered hotels that are cheaper and don’t have any extra charges such as resort fees/ extra taxes
      1. Other attendees will also be staying at GHC hotels so you’ll be able to stay connected before and after the GHC events. ii. It is best to arrive 1-2 days before the first day of GHC so you can recover from the jet lag.
      2. If you arrive early there are suitcase holds at the hotels for free
4. Career fair is HUGE. Companies will have gigantic banners, backdrops, swag tables, rows of iPads to check in, full-sized furniture, photo props etc.
   1. PRIORITIZE visiting your top choice companies on day 1. Lines for the most well-known companies tend to get long.
   2. Keep an open mind! You will come across many companies (other than the big-names) that you may not heard of or don’t usually recruit at your school — stop by their booth and ask about their opportunities.
   3. Prepare an elevator pitch that includes
      1. What type of role you are looking for
      2. Some technical project you worked on
      3. Why you want to work at that company
5. Fly with other attendees if possible to share Uber/Lyft cost to and from airport (especially if there are other students from your school going!)
6. Don’t come with a full luggage - you’ll be receiving a lot of swag, so don’t forget to save some room for them!
7. Join the FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/926549627483994/
   1. To gain more information on events and networking opportunities!

Many of the companies recruiting will also host events at the theme parks, so if you want to save money you can try to get invited to one of those. It’s not guaranteed, but it is free. In 2019 Google had an Epcot event, and either BoA or Chase had an Animal Kingdom recruiting night. A few companies had Harry Potter universal events

I hope this helped you plan, and if you have any questions let me know. Remember to have fun and learn at GHC!

- Noble