[Jobs] 5 Ways to Get a Job From a Career Fair

[Peter Altschul]

5 Ways to Get a Job From a Career Fair

 

By Daryl Hannah. Date Posted: February 14, 2008

 

Career fairs all play the same: You shuffle to different company booths,
offer your elevator pitch, politely nod as the company representatives spew
company facts, hand them your resume, and never get that call for an
interview.

 

What's wrong with you (or your son or daughter)? And if you are from a
traditionally underrepresented group, is there something in particular you
are missing?

 

Andre Lee, director of recruitment for INROADS--a nonprofit organization
that trains and develops talented youth of color for professional careers in
business and industry--says it could be your attire or overconfidence, or
because you ask inappropriate questions.

 

"The first thing people notice about an individual is his dress," says Lee,
who manages a team of 13 national recruiters on more than 350 college and
university campuses, bringing more than 30,000 applicants annually. "People
should also be conscious of their overconfidence and the questions they
ask."

 

While it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, age, orientation, gender or disability, recruiters say it's
particularly important for young people from traditionally underrepresented
groups to steer clear of the common pitfalls most first-time job seekers
fall into because not all companies welcome diversity.

 

DiversityInc has compiled a list on how to get noticed by recruiters at
career fairs.

 

No.1: Dress to Impress

 

To get the part, you have to look the part. Your professional dress is
directly tied to how seriously you take your job and, therefore, is very
important when making a first impression. Dress professionally--and
conservatively.

 

"It's important to dress as if you are going on an interview," says Lee. "I
always advise people to wear business-professional attire."

 

No. 2: Be Prepared

 

Preparation is key. Consider each encounter you have with a recruiter to be
a mini-interview. While it is impossible to foresee which questions the
recruiter will ask, having your resume handy and an answer to general
questions such as "What makes you a good employee?" or "What are your best
work attributes?" will make an impression on the recruiter.

 

"During career fairs, there are so many people. You should be prepared to do
a 30-second introduction," advises Lee. "That introduction should include
name, major, degree, level, graduation date, career objectives, and
highlights your internships and why you chose that company."

 

No. 3: Listen

 

It's easy to politely nod your head and tune out the company reps.

 

WRONG! Instead, pay attention, because often company reps give follow-up
instructions. "Listening is extremely important and like any other
interview, most employers are looking at general interest," says Lee.

 

No. 4: Leave With Something

 

"The most important thing you can walk away with is a business card," says
Lee. Business cards are often the gateway to getting that interview.

 

Company brochures are also very important. While on the surface they may
seem like a waste of trees, they can actually be quite informative, often
providing information on the company's benefit packages and
antidiscrimination policies.

 

No. 5: Follow-Up

 

There is no such thing as a "too-soon" follow-up. "It is important to follow
up with recruiters within two days of the career fair," says Lee.

 

Following up with recruiters not only shows your genuine interest in the
company, it also builds a relationship between you and the company. Send
thank-you notes and be polite. Be persistent, but don't stalk.

 

C DiversityInc 2008 R All rights reserved.

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5 Ways to Get a Job From a Career Fair
 
By Daryl Hannah. Date Posted: February 14, 2008
 
Career fairs all play the same: You shuffle to different company booths, offer your elevator pitch, politely nod as the company representatives spew company facts, hand them your resume, and never get that call for an interview.
 
What's wrong with you (or your son or daughter)? And if you are from a traditionally underrepresented group, is there something in particular you are missing?
 
Andre Lee, director of recruitment for INROADS--a nonprofit organization that trains and develops talented youth of color for professional careers in business and industry--says it could be your attire or overconfidence, or because you ask inappropriate questions.
 
"The first thing people notice about an individual is his dress," says Lee, who manages a team of 13 national recruiters on more than 350 college and university campuses, bringing more than 30,000 applicants annually. "People should also be conscious of their overconfidence and the questions they ask."
 
While it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, orientation, gender or disability, recruiters say it's particularly important for young people from traditionally underrepresented groups to steer clear of the common pitfalls most first-time job seekers fall into because not all companies welcome diversity.
 
DiversityInc has compiled a list on how to get noticed by recruiters at career fairs.
 
No.1: Dress to Impress
 
To get the part, you have to look the part. Your professional dress is directly tied to how seriously you take your job and, therefore, is very important when making a first impression. Dress professionally--and conservatively.
 
"It's important to dress as if you are going on an interview," says Lee. "I always advise people to wear business-professional attire."
 
No. 2: Be Prepared
 
Preparation is key. Consider each encounter you have with a recruiter to be a mini-interview. While it is impossible to foresee which questions the recruiter will ask, having your resume handy and an answer to general questions such as "What makes you a good employee?" or "What are your best work attributes?" will make an impression on the recruiter.
 
"During career fairs, there are so many people. You should be prepared to do a 30-second introduction," advises Lee. "That introduction should include name, major, degree, level, graduation date, career objectives, and highlights your internships and why you chose that company."
 
No. 3: Listen
 
It's easy to politely nod your head and tune out the company reps.
 
WRONG! Instead, pay attention, because often company reps give follow-up instructions. "Listening is extremely important and like any other interview, most employers are looking at general interest," says Lee.
 
No. 4: Leave With Something
 
"The most important thing you can walk away with is a business card," says Lee. Business cards are often the gateway to getting that interview.
 
Company brochures are also very important. While on the surface they may seem like a waste of trees, they can actually be quite informative, often providing information on the company's benefit packages and antidiscrimination policies.
 
No. 5: Follow-Up
 
There is no such thing as a "too-soon" follow-up. "It is important to follow up with recruiters within two days of the career fair," says Lee.
 
Following up with recruiters not only shows your genuine interest in the company, it also builds a relationship between you and the company. Send thank-you notes and be polite. Be persistent, but don't stalk.
 
© DiversityInc 2008 ® All rights reserved.