Meeting and interacting with recruiters face-to-face is a critical part of the job search process, and career fairs offer a unique opportunity to make personal connections with potential employers. But beneath the buzzing fluorescent lights and among the hundreds of other job candidates vying for the attention of employers, it’s easy to feel lost and overwhelmed at a career fair. So how do you make the most of your time? Here are five things you can do to make your next career fair a success — and make your name the one recruiters remember.
Research companies
There will likely be hundreds of companies at your career fair, and it’s impossible to talk to them all. Make the most of your time by identifying five to 10 companies that best match your interests and aspirations. Add these companies to your “must-visit” list and find out as much as you can about them in advance. Get a good feel for who they really are — read about their company culture, industries, projects, clients and recent news highlights. The more you know, the better off you’ll be. The worst thing you can do is stumble up to a booth and ask a recruiter to tell you about the company they’re representing. Demonstrating that you’ve taken the time to research the company shows that you’re serious, thorough and diligent.
Plan your conversations
Even after you’ve narrowed down the list of companies you want to visit, you’ll still only have a sliver of time to leave a lasting impression. Make the most of your minutes with the company representative by preparing a well-crafted “elevator speech.” Be brief, but remember to keep the key ingredients in the mix — your experience, goals and interests. This spiel should be under two minutes and should summarize your story. Perfect this speech by practicing relentlessly, so that you can deliver it naturally, without sounding unrehearsed. To prepare for your conversation wrap-ups, think about the top three things that are most important to you in a career and a potential employer and write down questions relating to these values. Don’t forget: You’re interviewing them, too!
Boost your confidence
Give yourself a little confidence boost before heading to the career fair to help eliminate nervous fumbles. Twenty minutes before leaving, find a quiet space to collect your thoughts and jot down some of the qualities that make you an outstanding candidate. Focus on the value you could bring to an employer. Read over your resume a few times and have your work experience fresh in mind. Resist the urge to read from your resume when talking with recruiters. Be ready to think on your feet and speak clearly.
Polish your presence
Making a positive impression is the first step to landing your dream job. Presenting yourself well in both appearance and attitude will increase your chances immensely. Dress for success with a classic, wrinkle-free suit (including a tie for the guys). Avoid tennis shoes, chunky jewelry and messy ponytails — these can be huge turn-offs for employers.
Let your personality shine during conversations. Clients and employers love working with people who are personable, friendly and self-assured. Exuding warmth and attempting to build an interpersonal connection is the best way to win someone over and be remembered. Even if you’re on the quiet side, letting enthusiasm and sincerity shine through your words will take you far. Your demeanor is what others notice in the first five seconds after meeting you, and a big smile signals confidence and positivity.
Be sure to polish your online presence, too. Your LinkedIn profile can make or break a first impression, so make sure it backs up the experience you touted at the career fair. A complete and comprehensive LinkedIn profile portrays not just the facts, but the story.
Follow up
Don’t let an awesome connection you’ve made at the career fair slip away. Always ask a recruiter about follow-up steps, and be sure to reconnect with each representative you’ve met within a week. Since job fairs capitalize on the personal touch, a sincere handwritten note mailed to the recruiter can enhance your relationship. If you’d rather send a quick e-mail, check out your school’s career center website to find recruiter contact information. Asking a representative for his or her contact information can disrupt the flow of meeting candidates — looking it up on your own demonstrates respect and responsibility.
As you hit the career fair scene, be sure to look for Burns & McDonnell! Our recruiting team will be on campuses looking for top talent to join our team. Check out the Careers section of our website to find out where we’ll be. And be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook!
If you have any tips for getting the most out of career fairs, we’d love to hear them!
Jenna Blair is a college recruiter for Burns & McDonnell. She recruits for entry-level positions throughout the company and develops relationships with university administrators throughout the country. Feel free to connect with Jenna on LinkedIn to learn more about the many opportunities available at Burns & McDonnell.
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