Chantae was so nervous, she had to get Brittany to put on her name tag for her. She really needed to find a summer internship to get experience and make some bank, but she had never been to Connection before. Why oh why didn't she go to this fair last year when she was in her first year? Then this wouldn't feel so intimidating because she would at least know what to expect. All these students in suits looking so sure of themselves elevated her fear. What could she do to calm her nerves?
Sound familiar?
Here are some tips if going to a career fair fills you with dread too.
Have a plan of attack for what want to say about yourself and to employers you will speak with. Plan and practice your introduction. Practicing your introduction is the only way it will be smooth. Tape yourself, stand in front of your mirror, or try out your elevator pitch on your friends. What makes you special that an employer would want to know about?
Visit employers' web sites and check out their NEWS section or Press Releases. This is a great place to develop questions you have for each employer. As you get to the fair, find a map of employers and study where your target list of employers are located. Wondering how many to talk to? An easy way to decide is to consider the time you have to spend there. For example, if you allow 10 minutes per employer, and you can only be there for 3 hours, then target 18 employers, maybe with 9 on your A list whom you research more, and 9 on your B list where you at least visit their web sites and know what they do.
Apply to openings before the fair. Visit Hokies4Hire and your A list employers' web sites and apply to openings before you attend fairs. This will make your conversation so much better because you can ask questions about the job you already applied for. This also demonstrates to employers you are genuinely interested and you have initiative.
Observe first. Get in a long line at an employer's booth. Listen to recruiters and questions they ask. Compare various students' introductions and questions. Then, get out of that line before you are at the front and go visit a couple more booths, and repeat this process. Why? You will be comfortable with the environment and have a better idea of what to expect.
OK, are you ready now?
Take a deep breath, AND...
Start with some employers on your B list. That way if your introduction is kind of rocky, it's not the end of the world. As you talk to more employers and your elevator pitch gets more smooth, move on to your A list of employers. Let employers know through questions or discussion that you have done research on their organizations.
Before you leave each employer, ask for a business card. If they don't have one, then ask for an email address and/or phone number. Find out how you should follow up with them. Then, DO IT.
Master the follow up. Ten days to two weeks after the fair, call or email the employer. The call on your end can go something like this:
"Hi this is Chantae Smith. I met you two weeks ago at the Connection Job Fair at Virginia Tech. I applied online as you suggested, and wanted to check on the status of my application. Is there any other information you need from me to consider me for an interview? I'm really interested in the internship at Altria and wanted to make sure my online information came through properly."That's a start!
What other tips do you have for Chantae? If you want to practice your introduction before you enter the fair, come see us at the Career Services booth at Connection.
Let employers know how YOU can add value to their organization. YOU GOT THIS!
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