10 tips to turn a job fair into a job offer
Looking to land your dream job? Seattle Central’s 2016 Career Fair will bring more than 30 employers from around the region to campus on April 21. With the following tips, you can improve your chances of securing a job by making connections with recruiters at this event.
Looking for more help? Attend the Career Center workshop on “How to turn a Job Fair into a Job Offer” on April 19.
1. Explore your options
Research the employers who will be at the job fair. Find out who they are, what they do and why you might want to work there. This knowledge will allow you to talk intelligently with recruiters, and why you would be a good fit for them.
2. Come prepared
Update and polish your resume. Consider creating a separate resume for each targeted job or industry. For example, if you’re looking for a job as a chef, research and create a resume for that specific job. Bring at least 10 copies of each different version of your resume to the fair, and don’t forget to dress for success.
3. Sell yourself
Prepare your “sales pitch.” This is a short introduction about yourself that helps you sell yourself to employers. Your pitch should include your name, the profession or job you’re looking for, your accomplishments, and some you unique selling points about yourself. For example, are you a quick learner? Do you possess a special skill?
4. Know yourself
Be prepared to answer employer’s questions about who you are and what type of job you want. They will often ask for a little more information about your interests and skills, your career goals, and why you chose your area of study.
5. Know the employer
Employers may also ask you what you know about their company, and why you want to work for them. From your research about the company, you can speak knowledgeably about your interest in the company.
You should also come with your own questions. You can ask what an ideal candidate for a particular job in their company looks like, what the typical day for someone in that position is like, about the challenges that new hires face, and training opportunities. This is your chance to see if an employer is the right fit for you.
Be prepared to take the next step by asking how soon they plan to fill the job, and how you can arrange a job interview.
You should NOT ask about basic information about like salary, benefits or vacation since you should know this from your research.
6. Make a game plan
Once you get to the fair, scope out the employers you want to speak with. Practice your pitch with a less desirable employer first to work out the kinks in your presentation.
7. Talk to recruiters
When you get to a recruiter’s table, make eye contact, smile, say hello, and offer your handshake to introduce yourself. Ask about the career opportunities for your occupation at that company. Deliver your 15-second “sales pitch,” answer the recruiter’s questions and ask a few yourself.
Tell the recruiter which positions you are interested in and ask about next steps to apply. Offer the recruiter a copy of your resume and ask how you can schedule a job interview. Be sure to ask for the recruiter’s business card before you leave. Thank them, smile, offer your handshake, move on to the next booth, and repeat!
8. Follow-up
Following up with employers by the next day helps make you the most memorable. Since you have their business card with contact info, send the recruiters you met a thank you note by email.
Thank them for speaking with you, mention how you met and what position you were interested in. If you can, mention something specific you discussed at the fair and summarize your qualifications. Restate your wish for an interview and attach another copy of your resume.
9. Keep the recruiter involved
In your applications to positions in a particular company, state that you met their recruiter at the Seattle Central Job Fair and mention their name. Email the recruiter to let them know that you submitted your application.
10. Persistence pays
Remember to hold on the recruiters’ business cards. Once or twice a month, send each recruiter an email with a short note and a copy of your resume, letting them know that you’re still interested in working for them.
Guest post provided by Career Services Center.