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Career fairs (part 3): How to be a successful attendee
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Career fairs, particularly those targeted at your specific industry, offer prime face-to-face time with potential employers. So, preparation, performance and follow-up are key.
Before the Fair
1. Research attending organizations. “Most fairs will provide a list. Know and research which companies you want to approach and their open positions. On a sheet of paper, briefly list the company name, overview and list of questions for the company. This way, you won’t have to remember everything and will not confuse companies or information the day of the fair,” said Andrea St. James, career counselor at Western New England College.
2. Draft a quick introduction. “Recruiters don’t want to spend an inordinate amount of time with any one candidate,” said Stephen Seaward, director of career services at Saint Joseph College. “Develop a 45-60 second ‘commercial’ as a way to introduce yourself. Use it to provide a summary of your background, what your career interests are and why you’re at the job fair.”
3. Work on your résumé. “Be prepared to submit a paper resume, but also realize that many employers are not able to accept a paper resume. These days, employers are likely to direct candidates to their corporate Web site and ask the candidate to apply online,” said Elizabeth Atilano, director of career development services at Loyola Marymount University.
During the Fair
1. Arrive early. “Standing in front of a booth and talking all day is not easy. Recruiters get tired. Being one of the first people they talk to gives you a chance to interact with them before fatigue sets in. Additionally, at some fairs interviews are set-up on the spot, so all the interview spots may be taken if you arrive late,” said Gil C. Yancey, executive director of the F. David Fowler Career Center at George Washington University.
2. Look the part. “Dress professionally in business attire, and don’t bring a backpack or suitcase filled with papers or books. Do bring a comprehensive portfolio with a supply of résumés,” said McCarthy.
3. Prioritize the organizations. “If you’re nervous, practice on a company you’re a little less interested in,” said Tracy DePedro, director of career services at Delaware Valley College. “If there’s a long line, proceed to the next company on your list and come back. But, if there are only a few people waiting ahead of you, wait. It makes a good impression.”
4. Make an impression. “Begin with a strong handshake, make eye contact and have a résumé ready to give to the recruiter,” said Bill McCarthy, associate director of Binghamton University’s Career Development Center.
5. Don’t work the room with your friends. “Though this strategy may be more comfortable for students, in reality, employers want to speak with you as an individual,” said Atilano.
6. Adjust your cell. “Turn off your cell phone or set it to vibrate/silent. Avoid having text messages or phone calls interrupt your conversation with an employer,” said Atilano.
7. Don’t monopolize the conversation. “Be sure to give the recruiter the opportunity to respond,” said McCarthy.
8. Respect the recruiter’s time. “Engage the recruiter in a quick but rich conversation so they can talk to the next candidate. Lines can be long at job fairs and a recruiter has limited time to meet everyone. When the conversation ends, again shake hands and thank the recruiter for their time, and repeat your interest in the organization. Then, move on and don’t linger at the company’s table,” said McCarthy.
After the Fair
1. Remember to follow-up. “I believe one of the downfalls to a job search is lack of appropriate follow-up, said Louis Lamorte, director of career services at La Salle University. “Candidates need to take the initiative on this. Remember, employers may see hundreds of candidates in one day. Ask for a business card or at least what you should do next. Doing so will allow you to send a thank you note or make a follow-up phone call a few weeks after the fair - if you don't hear from them first.”
Quick Tips for Virtual Fairs
1. Don’t show up naked. “Some virtual environments require you to dress your avatar (the digital you). Unfortunately, many job seekers don’t know this and show up naked. It’s best to find a virtual job fair where you can upload your own picture instead of dressing a cartoon,” said Brent Arslaner, vice president of marketing for Unisfair.
2. Don’t be late. “Some virtual environments require sizeable application downloads to your computer, which takes time, and commands to learn to navigate and communicate, which takes time and lots of practice. So, for these types of virtual environments, be sure to schedule in plenty of time to get to your job fair. Other environments are much less cumbersome, allowing you to register, click and you are in. These are the best ones to attend, if possible,” said Arslaner.
| <-- Part 2: Hosting a successful virtual career fair |
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