Personal contact, the face to face meeting, is the best way to introduce yourself to a perspective employer. Even though there are more ways than ever to get your marketing message out, career fairs let employers see the look in your eye and the confidence in your tone. This piece of the puzzle can become your interview if you’re ready, willing and able to take on the challenges.
Career Fairs work for you when you know how to work them. It is a place where you can use your communication skills to stand out. And all those “toys” on the table, pick them up on your way out! Remember, you are there to market yourself, interviews happen on the spot, be ready for anything.
Career Fairs work for you when you know how to work them. It is a place where you can use your communication skills to stand out. And all those “toys” on the table, pick them up on your way out! Remember, you are there to market yourself, interviews happen on the spot, be ready for anything.
Here are a few hints, tips and tricks to make this career fair work for you:
> Relax; you’re going to do great today!
> Relax; you’re going to do great today!
> Look over the list of who’s going to be there and pick out your top 10! Do some research about the companies who’ll be there. If you know about any new products or services that the company is providing, it will help you stand out. Better to talk to the ones you’re really interested in after you work out the nervousness by practicing with a few companies that are not high on your list.
> Before you go in, make sure that you have plenty of copies of your resume and a pad and pen to take notes. Be prepared to write down who you spoke to and what you talked about, make sure you get their business card to get the correct spelling of their name, title, and company. When you write your follow-up letter, it will help them remember you.
> Be ready for those pesky interview questions. You know they’re coming, so practice your answers.
> Dress for success. When you look good, you feel good and that confidence will show! You want to look like a professional.
> Once you’re inside:
* Take and read any material on the table before you talk to someone. This will give you time to do additional research and to help you get any last minute hints.
* Listen to the conversation to the person in front of you. You’ll hear the same questions and it will give you time to make your answers better.
* Shake hands and talk to the person
* Ask for an application if one is not offered.
* Ask the right questions. Prepare your top 5 and be sure to practice them. Try to ask a question like “what made you choose to work for this company and why do you stay?” This type of question will tell you about the corporate culture and future opportunities.
*Make sure you get the business cards of the people you talk to.
* Take and read any material on the table before you talk to someone. This will give you time to do additional research and to help you get any last minute hints.
* Listen to the conversation to the person in front of you. You’ll hear the same questions and it will give you time to make your answers better.
* Shake hands and talk to the person
* Ask for an application if one is not offered.
* Ask the right questions. Prepare your top 5 and be sure to practice them. Try to ask a question like “what made you choose to work for this company and why do you stay?” This type of question will tell you about the corporate culture and future opportunities.
*Make sure you get the business cards of the people you talk to.
> Do what the others won’t. Send a follow up letter and a copy of your resume by the Friday after the fair, so it arrives first thing Monday morning. They saw over 100 people. Do something positively professional to stand out and get your resume read.
> Be prepared to follow-up with a call on the Wednesday after the fair.
To get the job you want, you have to be consistent and persistent!
To get the job you want, you have to be consistent and persistent!
No comments:
Post a Comment