By Khalilah Starks

It’s that time of year again! Career Fairs will be taking place across the United States, including many college campuses. So, to help you get the most out of your next career fair experience and stand out among the hundreds of job seekers in black suits, I’ve put together a list of proven tips to incorporate as you prepare for your big day.

Do Your Homework. Prior to the career fair, find out what companies are attending so that you can develop your winning game plan. Once you identify which companies you plan to target, research each company to determine what job opportunities exist at each company. You’ll also want to conduct research to learn about the company’s products and services, customers, recent news, industry trends, competitors and industry standing. The company’s website is a great place to start your research.

Develop Your Pitch. If you’ve been following my blog, you know how important your 30-second pitch is to your job hunt. Your 30-second pitch is your introduction to the company representative. If you haven’t done so already or need to re-familiarize yourself with the 30 second pitch, see my post and news segment where I discuss how to create a winning 30 second pitch. The key to making your 30 second pitch effective is to customize your pitch to every company that you plan to meet with. Every company has a need and your research will uncover this need. Your pitch should address their specific needs. For example, if you’re targeting a company that has a customer service opening, you will want to focus on your excellent communication and interpersonal skills in your 30 second pitch.

Ask Great Questions. You only have a few minutes to talk with the recruiter, so ask questions that will make you memorable. Ask about the job opportunity. What skills and qualifications are they looking for in applicants? Additionally, show the recruiter that you’ve done your homework by asking a question about a recent news headline or strategic initiative that you’ve discovered through your research. Company representatives love when a candidate is knowledgeable and has taken time to research their company.

Be a Great Closer. At the end of your conversation, ask for a business card. Many recruiters don’t bring business cards to career fairs to avoid being inundated with phone calls and emails after the career fair. If this is the case, ask for the appropriate company contact to follow up with. Be sure to remember the person’s name. Lastly, reiterate your interest and thank the recruiter for their time.

Follow up Immediately. Recruiters meet so many job seekers at career fairs. Therefore, the sooner you follow up, the greater chance that they’ll remember you. That evening, send the recruiter an email letting them know that it was a pleasure meeting him or her and that you’re very interested in the opportunity. Bring up a point that was discussed during your conversation to help the recruiter remember who you are. Attach your resume to your follow up email even though you gave it to them at the career fair – it’ll further help them remember you.

Dress To Impress. Your professionalism is communicated through your dress. Unless specifically noted differently, Business Professional is the appropriate form of dress for career fairs. For an explanation of this particular type of dress, see my post and news segment that describes each type of business dress.

Be Enthusiastic. Smile and be energetic. Give a nice, firm handshake and maintain great eye contact. Companies love passion and excitement. I’ve personally known managers that decided to pursue a candidate because of the candidate’s great energy.

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