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How to "work" a career fair?
I suck at selling myself. There's a career fair coming up & I want to do a strong showing. There won't be many job openings & I want to score one!
I've had my career center go over my resume and I've printed out little miniature versions of my portfolio to give out with them (will have full sized portfolio at the fair as well). Both look really nice. And I have an appropriate outfit to wear.
I know I'm supposed to research companies, etc. but I never know what to say. If this was a fair for my old profession (economics) I feel like I could have a lot to discuss because different businesses operate different, research different things, etc. But these are nurseries & landscape design firms...I guess I could ask about their design philosophy.
Any other ideas?
Re: How to "work" a career fair?
That is a really good idea!
I don't work in HR but I represent my org at career fairs, primarily for the internship program but also for vacancies when we have them. A few things that always impress me:
-When a student knows about one of our current projects. Can you see these on firms' web pages?
-Similar to above, when someone even knows who our senior staff are (they publish, do radio interviews, are active on prof. organizations, etc,). It just shows the student pays attention in the field and can connect the dots.
-Speaking of prof. organizations, are you active in any? I come from a family of landscapers that have been very involved in the Professional Grounds Management Society. I know the DC branch is fairly active and it's a pretty good network for jobs. I don't know if that's exactly your field, but might be something worthwhile to join. Their newsletters are online, so you could do some research through them.
Oh, absolutely. One big turn off for me is when I ask a student this question and their response is along the lines of "Everything! And anything! And whatever will get me a job!".
If there's time, you might want to contact some of the companies that will be there in advance. Send them your resume and a cover letter that says you'll be at the job fair... You may be able to set up an interview in advance.
www.vistaprint.com
get some basic biz cards made up with your contact info to go alone with your resume.
Thanks ladies!