So you want to get a job but you are unsure of exactly how to do it. Well the answer is simple: all you have to do is put on a suit, print a resume, talk to an employer at a career fair, and BANG you got a job….Just kidding! Career fairs are a great way to network with employers, but it’s not as simple as just showing up. In this week’s segment I am going to talk about some helpful tips I’ve learned from my experience about getting the most out of career fairs.
The BEFORE part of the career fair is crucial because without proper preparation you could set yourself up for failure before you even leave your house. The most important part of preparation is getting your resume ready for potential employers to look at. One of the great tools that I used to help me prepare was a resume review through Career Services (Kelly Burns & Susan Wade). Your resume is not something that you just make once and never change; you must update it all the time and add, subtract, and even tweak certain things. Another crucial step to the before part is learning about the employers who will be at the career fair so you will be ready to talk to the ones that fit what you are looking for and you can ask detailed questions that will make you better off than someone who just shows up. The last step that I consider when I am preparing for a career fair is preparing my 30-second commercial. What is that you ask? Well simply, it’s introducing who you are, why you think you are good for what they are looking for, and what you bring to the table that others do not (try www.15SecondPitch.com). Those are the 3 things that I make sure that I cover when I talk to employers right off the bat.
DURING a career fair can be a little intimidating, but you should never be scared or get nervous. Yes, I understand that this is always easier said than done, but potential employers absolutely love confidence. One thing that I know always helps my confidence is looking good. A nice business suit is recommended for everyone. Men, find a nice shirt with a “power tie & power color” that will scream confidence. In the business world you are expected to dress the part so you might as well start now. Another key component is to arrive early and get the advantage. I show up early so I have plenty of time to get parked, get registered, scout the employers and their locations and rehearse my 30-second commercial. Lastly you have to show the employers that you are interested in them and that you want the job. Take the initiative by getting their contact information so you can follow up with them after the career fair is over. By following up with the company it puts you over the top because they can see that you are interested and that you enjoyed the conversations you had with them.
Following up with employers AFTER the career fair is very important. When writing a follow up, tell them a summary of what you learned, restate your qualifications and tell them that you enjoyed talking with them and hope to hear from them soon. Usually I will include my resume again to help them remember who I am. As far as being persistent about hearing back regarding specific internships or jobs, you have to know when you are being persistent and when you are being overbearing. Find that level balance – ask what their timeline is, when you should expect to hear from them – and then honor that.
What I have outlined for you all is a brief rundown of some of the techniques you can use to help have a successful run at career fairs. For more information or more details please visit: http://www.bakeru.edu/career-services/career-education/what-to-expect-at-career-fairs. This website has an actual document that goes into a lot more detail then I have and will help you out a lot.
Baker University Career Services Blog 