What to Talk About at Career Fairs
Attending a job fair can help you land a new job or advance your career, but what you say during the fair can hurt your chances of landing your dream job. Recruiters evaluate job fair attendees not only on the skills and experience listed on their resumes but also on their professional appearance and demeanor.
Other People Are Reading
-
Introductions
-
When meeting with recruiters and hiring managers at career fairs, it's a good idea to have an elevator speech prepared. The elevator speech is a short introduction in which you offer your name and a fact or two about your skills and what you're looking for in a job. For example "I'm John Smith, and I'm an experienced sales professional. I'm looking for a new sales position in the medical device field." The name elevator speech comes from the notion that your introduction should be short enough to say during an elevator ride. Make your introduction intriguing to encourage recruiters to engage in a longer conversation with you.
Recruiters
-
Once you've gotten past the introductions at the career fair, talk with company representatives about their companies and the positions they are recruiting for. Research the firms that will be at the fair ahead of time, and come prepared with specific questions about each company. Researching will also help you confidently answer questions about why you are at the job fair and why you're interested in a particular company. Because your time with each recruiter is likely to be limited, stick to the highlights of your skills and experience, and if you are interested in the company or position, ask about the hiring process and how you can get a second interview.
-
Networking
-
Job fairs are not only a good opportunity to meet with hiring companies but also a chance for you to network with other job seekers. Chatting with other fair attendees while standing in line to meet with recruiters might help you learn of other opportunities, contacts and strategies that you hadn't thought about before. Be friendly, and use your elevator speech when introducing yourself to other attendees. Discuss the state of your industry, any recent news items or developments that affect your work or experiences working in the industry on a local level.
What Not to Say
-
Perhaps as important as what to talk about at a career fair is what not to talk about. Don't begin conversations with recruiters with questions about whether they are hiring, or worse, ask about pay, benefits and time off. Demonstrate proper business and social etiquette during the job fair, because recruiters will be watching and evaluating how you communicate with others. Gossiping with other attendees, telling inappropriate jokes or otherwise behaving unprofessionally can hurt your chances of landing a second interview after the fair. Be positive, be upbeat, answer the questions that you're asked and do not monopolize the recruiter's time.
-
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
