Job Fairs and Interviews : TIPS FOR SUCCESS
General Tips
1. Talk to as many people as possible. Even if you are not that interested, you should also leave your resume because there might be an opportunity later on.
2. Be prepared to ask questions. Questions often are positive indicators of a job seeker's interest and research effort. Don’t ask about salary or benefits unless the employer brings up the subject.
3. Walkabout the employer. Instead of just getting into line, approach the employer booth from the side and quietly pick up some of the slick glossies that are prominently displayed on the table. Then take a few steps back. The reason for this is twofold: first, you now have in your hands some extremely valuable pre interview reading material; second, and most important; you have an opportunity to get a free preview of the employer and recruiter. How? By staying put four to six feet away and listening. You will be far enough away to be unobtrusive, yet still within earshot of the conversation that is taking place. Listen to what the recruiter asks. Be prepared to answer the same questions yourself. Listen to the responses. Did the recruiter respond positively or negatively? Listen to two or three different interviews to compare different responses. If there is more than one recruiter for the employer, note the different styles of each and choose the line behind the one who is the closest fit to your own personality range.
4. Make the most of your time. A good strategy to follow is to meet with the most popular employers early in the day, before the lines develop, and then talk with the "second-tier" employers during the main part of the day. Then before you leave, make one more contact with the employers you have an ongoing interest in.
With proper planning and strategic timing, you can usually avoid the long lines and make your time more productive.
5. Stay fresh. If you find yourself getting a bit tired bouncing from table to table, take a break. Re-energize and then get back onto the floor.
6. Focus on the moment and the person when you talk to the employer. There will be a lot of people around, but once you engage with the employer, act like it is just the two of you in a room together with no one else around. Don’t engage in other conversations or "lean in" to try and pick up the conversation an employer is having with someone else.
7. Close the loop. Don’t hesitate to ask employers who look at your resume and talk with you if they think they might get back to you. If so, ask when and/or if there is any problem if you call them back after a week or so if you have not heard from them.
8. Thank You. Get business cards from those you talk with, and after the Career Fair, write brief thank-you note. In the note make sure you cover the following topics: thanks for taking the time to meet with me, here are the reasons why I would be an outstanding employee for your organization…, I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you further, I will call you next week to arrange a time when we can meet and further discuss how my skills can benefit your organization. Then make sure you do in fact call when you said you would. Very few follow through to this step, so you will be head and shoulders above the crowd at this point, and very likely the one they choose to go on to the next step
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9. Don’t be an onion. Employers shouldn’t have to peel off layers to find out about you. Help the employer out by being prepared to talk substantively and concisely about yourself. Take some initiative to help employers understand you and your background. |
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