Tips for Success at Career Fairs
Research
Many job-seekers go to career fairs to “see the sights” and are not prepared to interview.
- Get a huge jump on the competition by getting a list of the companies attending the fair and doing some research on each of the companies you want to interview with.
- While all of the recruiters will have company literature at their booths at the fair, you often can’t access those until after the interview. With so much information about companies on the web, there is no excuse not to do your homework.
Ask Questions Directly, Politely, and Concisely
Your goal is to get a second interview, “in house” this time, so you don’t have to play all your cards on the first round.
- If you are genuinely interested, let them know. “I am quite excited about the possibilities your company offers, and I think I have the talent to help you achieve your goals…What do I need to do to arrange a second interview?”
- This isn’t “pushy”; it is flattering and says you are professionally assertive. Ask them how they rate your credentials and “fit” compared to other candidates they are seeing. Asking for an honest appraisal is one of the best ways to raise it a notch!
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