Career fairs: Make the most of your thirty seconds
One of the number one questions I'm always asked is “How can I stand out at a career fair?" It’s not about dressing in all Microsoft attire, or wearing a really tall hat (even though I like that one). It’s about being confident and knowing your message. That can be applied to any new business situation where you only have a short time to make a strong impression, really. In fact, career fairs are like a fast first date!
Some of my tips for business meetings/career fairs/speed dating:
- Look good. Make a good impression by looking clean and presentable. Every company is different- at MSFT we don’t mind if you show up in jeans and a t-shirt—other companies may. Regardless, comb your hair, wear something that isn’t wrinkled and feel comfortable in what you are wearing (if you never wear suits- try it on a few days before and run around town in it- get used to how it feels).
- Start with a good handshake. There is nothing more unappealing that a limp handshake. Girls and boys alike - I expect everyone to shake with confidence. You don't have to take me down with a sleeper hold, you just need to show some confidence.
- State your name and what you are interested in clearly and concisely. Have a message - a quick pitch like “my name is Janelle Godfrey and I am interested in X position. I am receiving my masters in CS and will be graduating in June. I have a strong passion for your company and X product.” Done. Start strong, don’t just hand the resume off and say nothing. (this may work for dating as well :-))
- Have follow up questions. People like to know that you are interested in them. Nothing makes a person feel better than knowing you have done your homework, and are listening to them and have something to add to the conversation. If you can’t think on the spot, come with some basic questions that can be asked to many companies that you memorized before you came.
If you would like to read a little more about career fair dos and don’ts, here's another great link from this blog. Career fairs really are like dating--- just look your best, be interesting, confident, tell them what you want, and BE YOURSELF! And hopefully someone will call you for that second date. :-)
-Janelle
6 Comments
Microsoft's JobsBlog said:
Career Fairs : We just discussed how a candidate can make a good impression , but what about a company?
Larry said:
Being creative and innovative in your job search is easier said than done.
Larry
DamnIneedAjob.com
Mike said:
If you're interested in finding out when and where career fairs are, check out this site I use, <a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="http://www.jobrific.com">http://www.jobrific.com</a>
They always have a bulletin section where you can find things like that. Good luck everybody.
leena said:
Due to the effect of globalization, many companies are setting up their offices in various parts of the world. So there are numerous job opportunities for local people. But, sometimes job seekers can’t know of openings in various companies, because all the jobs are not advertised in the newspapers. But, a job portal like Jobbi.com has maintained a database that contains a large number of vacancies in different job descriptions sectors. These vacancies mention detailed job descriptions i.e. works to be performed in a particular job for the convenience of job seekers and headhunters. The job seekers can match their profiles with the job descriptions so that they will select the right job for them.
The Jobbi.com puts its emphasis on easy posting and <a href = “<a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="http://www.jobbi.com/">http://www.jobbi.com/</a> “>find a job</a> for people. Apart from providing job solutions, it wants to fulfill every small requirement of people. It has streamlined the application submission process by avoiding tons of different applications and making available only one so that unnecessary wastage of time can be prevented and applications can be processed faster.
Its HeadHunt feature distinguishes it from other <a href = “<a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="http://www.jobbi.com/">http://www.jobbi.com/</a> “> job sites</a>. It is a new and innovative way of creating and providing employment options for people. Above all, you can earn money while doing headhunt. In this program, users go through various resumes posted in the site and recommend the appliers for jobs that would be most suited for. This makes the process of job searching for a job seeker easier, because Jobbi users are now headhunting for them. Employers are also benefited as they don’t have to expend too much on private head hunters. They will be able to hire good and competent people due to Jobbi users who do searching on their behalf. These users are rewarded by the website and not by the employers. Though there is a restriction on the number of headhunts that is ten, at a particular period of time, it is a popular way of making money while helping people to get jobs.
<a href =“<a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="http://www.jobbi.com/">http://www.jobbi.com/</a> “><a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="http://www.jobbi.com/">http://www.jobbi.com/</a></a>
leena said:
Due to the effect of globalization, many companies are setting up their offices in various parts of the world. So there are numerous job opportunities for local people. But, sometimes job seekers can’t know of openings in various companies, because all the jobs are not advertised in the newspapers. But, a job portal like Jobbi.com has maintained a database that contains a large number of vacancies in different job descriptions sectors. These vacancies mention detailed job descriptions i.e. works to be performed in a particular job for the convenience of job seekers and headhunters. The job seekers can match their profiles with the job descriptions so that they will select the right job for them.
The Jobbi.com puts its emphasis on easy posting and find a job for people. Apart from providing job solutions, it wants to fulfill every small requirement of people. It has streamlined the application submission process by avoiding tons of different applications and making available only one so that unnecessary wastage of time can be prevented and applications can be processed faster.
Its HeadHunt feature distinguishes it from other job sites. It is a new and innovative way of creating and providing employment options for people. Above all, you can earn money while doing headhunt. In this program, users go through various resumes posted in the site and recommend the appliers for jobs that would be most suited for. This makes the process of job searching for a job seeker easier, because Jobbi users are now headhunting for them. Employers are also benefited as they don’t have to expend too much on private head hunters. They will be able to hire good and competent people due to Jobbi users who do searching on their behalf. These users are rewarded by the website and not by the employers. Though there is a restriction on the number of headhunts that is ten, at a particular period of time, it is a popular way of making money while helping people to get jobs.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="http://www.jobbi.com/">http://www.jobbi.com/</a>
247Blogging said:
One of the number one questions I'm always asked is “ How can I stand out at a career fair? " It’s not about dressing in all Microsoft attire, or wearing a really tall hat (even though I like that one). It’s about being confident and knowing your