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Career Fairs are Here!
By Heather Carpenter | April 16, 2008
Tis the season for Career Fairs, and you need to be ready! Here are some tips for your success.
1. Bring many copies of your resume on resume quality paper.
2. Dress professionally. If you have a suit, wear it. Otherwise ironed slacks or skirt and a nice shirt work great. Although the weather is warming up you need to continue to wear clothing that covers you.
3. Be prepared. Research which companies will be at the fair. Take some time and visit the websites of those companies that interest you most. Plan to visit those booths first when you arrive at the fair so you are fresh and at the top of your game.
4. Perfect your 30-second pitch. Employers will meet many prospective candidates at the fair. Have what you plan to say prepared and practiced ahead of time. You want to be able to tell the employer a) who you are, b) what makes you special, and c) what you are looking for out of this interaction in a brief 30 to 60 second statement. Try to find something memorable in your interaction. For example, if you learn that the recruiter is from the same town as you, write it down on their business card after your interaction. You can then mention this in your thank you letter to help the employer remember you.
5. Gather business cards and write thank you letters. Although the fair is over your work is not done. Write individual thank you notes to each employer that had opportunities that really interested you. Mention the memorable fact discussed (see paragraph above) and enclose another copy of your resume for their review. Thank you letters are very important, especially when an employer may have seen hundreds or thousands of people that day.
6. Follow-up. If you told an employer you were going to do something, do it! There is no better way to lose a potential job lead or networking connection then not following-up in a timely manner.
For other career fair tips and advice, please post a comment below or visit the Career Center located in the back of ACE.
Topics: Career Fairs, Networking |