By Leslie Nye
Job fairs are more than just a place to go search for a new job. They hold the potential to be a gold mine of influential personal business contacts, which can be key to finding an exciting career position with a great company. Networking – defined as making a meaningful one-on-one personal introduction with an individual who can support your career – is one of the best ways to uncover your next opportunity. But before you can jump into ‘networking’ mode, you need to build your foundation for making these important and, perhaps, career-advancing contacts. Here are the essential steps you should follow:
Before the Event
Do your research! Confirm the date of the job fair, the location, hours, and if preregistration is required. What is the focus or theme of the event? Identify the companies participating through promotional literature, Internet postings, radio, TV or newspapers. Determine the industries being represented and the number of companies attending.
Next, identify and research target companies so you can maximize your time during the event. Select the companies you are most interested in based upon your industry preferences and position, and find out basic information about each of them. What is their primary business focus? Where are they located and what would be your commute distance? How many employees do they have? Are they publicly or privately held, nonprofit, well established or relatively new? Is their business growing or simply maintaining a status quo? What is the company culture? Questions such as these help you determine overall fit and suitability for long-term job satisfaction.
Check out posted jobs under the ‘Career’ or ‘Job Opportunities’ section of their website. Even if they do not have a posted job for your desired area, keep them on your list as ‘hidden jobs’ may become available, particularly if you impress the recruiters.
During the Event
You have one chance to make a great impression! Dress professionally for business, as you would for any job interview. Be organized and prepared. Carry sufficient copies of your resume, a writing pad, pen, and your organizer. You’ll want to be able to set appointments for future interviews on the spot.
Work your plan! Start by visiting the companies you have prioritized on your list first, with your goal to speak personally with the representatives of those companies. When you sense an opening to make an introduction, acknowledge them, smile and make eye contact. If offered their hand, extend yours as well.
While making introductions, it’s important to quickly determine the role of the person to whom you are speaking. Are they a corporate recruiter, HR manager or HR assistant? Or are they a hiring manager or senior manager in the company? You can adjust your presentation accordingly. Once introductions are made, be prepared to provide an overview of your focus – the job role you are seeking, plus a brief (30 second) statement about how your expertise and experience can benefit their company. Why should they be interested in you as a candidate and future employee?
Attempt to connect on a deeper level with the company representative. Show genuine interest by making a comment about their recent product announcement or industry trend, a successful partnership relationship, industry awards or recognition, etc. Knowing some relevant information or current news also demonstrates you have done your research and makes you stand out from the crowd.
Request their contact information. Make sure to get names and titles of the people you speak with at each company for follow-up. Ask for a business card or, at minimum, their phone number or email address. Pick up company literature and brochures, annual reports, etc, whatever is available. Hand them your resume if possible; don’t just drop it into a resume bin. Your goal is to make person-to-person, meaningful contact with a key representative at each target company and to make a positive, professional impression. Also, be sure to make notes after each contact, so you don’t forget important details that could be useful in the next phase of your plan.
After the Event
Follow up with your company contacts! Think about the people you met and prioritize the contacts at the companies where you feel you have your best employment opportunities.
Following up with representatives you have spoken with is good business. Ideally, make a telephone call or (second choice) send an email. Remind them about your qualifications and what you can offer to their organization. Express your sincere interest in pursuing a career opportunity with their company. Most importantly, strive to make a positive impression in the minds of the company representatives so they remember you and want to help you. That is the key to successful networking.
Since 95 percent of jobseekers who attend career fairs fail to do this kind of follow-up, you will be in a class by yourself – an applicant who has displayed initiative. What company wouldn’t be impressed by that?
Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia
Job fairs are more than just a place to go search for a new job. They hold the potential to be a gold mine of influential personal business contacts, which can be key to finding an exciting career position with a great company. Networking – defined as making a meaningful one-on-one personal introduction with an individual who can support your career – is one of the best ways to uncover your next opportunity. But before you can jump into ‘networking’ mode, you need to build your foundation for making these important and, perhaps, career-advancing contacts. Here are the essential steps you should follow:
Before the Event
Do your research! Confirm the date of the job fair, the location, hours, and if preregistration is required. What is the focus or theme of the event? Identify the companies participating through promotional literature, Internet postings, radio, TV or newspapers. Determine the industries being represented and the number of companies attending.
Next, identify and research target companies so you can maximize your time during the event. Select the companies you are most interested in based upon your industry preferences and position, and find out basic information about each of them. What is their primary business focus? Where are they located and what would be your commute distance? How many employees do they have? Are they publicly or privately held, nonprofit, well established or relatively new? Is their business growing or simply maintaining a status quo? What is the company culture? Questions such as these help you determine overall fit and suitability for long-term job satisfaction.
Check out posted jobs under the ‘Career’ or ‘Job Opportunities’ section of their website. Even if they do not have a posted job for your desired area, keep them on your list as ‘hidden jobs’ may become available, particularly if you impress the recruiters.
During the Event
You have one chance to make a great impression! Dress professionally for business, as you would for any job interview. Be organized and prepared. Carry sufficient copies of your resume, a writing pad, pen, and your organizer. You’ll want to be able to set appointments for future interviews on the spot.
Work your plan! Start by visiting the companies you have prioritized on your list first, with your goal to speak personally with the representatives of those companies. When you sense an opening to make an introduction, acknowledge them, smile and make eye contact. If offered their hand, extend yours as well.
While making introductions, it’s important to quickly determine the role of the person to whom you are speaking. Are they a corporate recruiter, HR manager or HR assistant? Or are they a hiring manager or senior manager in the company? You can adjust your presentation accordingly. Once introductions are made, be prepared to provide an overview of your focus – the job role you are seeking, plus a brief (30 second) statement about how your expertise and experience can benefit their company. Why should they be interested in you as a candidate and future employee?
Attempt to connect on a deeper level with the company representative. Show genuine interest by making a comment about their recent product announcement or industry trend, a successful partnership relationship, industry awards or recognition, etc. Knowing some relevant information or current news also demonstrates you have done your research and makes you stand out from the crowd.
Request their contact information. Make sure to get names and titles of the people you speak with at each company for follow-up. Ask for a business card or, at minimum, their phone number or email address. Pick up company literature and brochures, annual reports, etc, whatever is available. Hand them your resume if possible; don’t just drop it into a resume bin. Your goal is to make person-to-person, meaningful contact with a key representative at each target company and to make a positive, professional impression. Also, be sure to make notes after each contact, so you don’t forget important details that could be useful in the next phase of your plan.
After the Event
Follow up with your company contacts! Think about the people you met and prioritize the contacts at the companies where you feel you have your best employment opportunities.
Following up with representatives you have spoken with is good business. Ideally, make a telephone call or (second choice) send an email. Remind them about your qualifications and what you can offer to their organization. Express your sincere interest in pursuing a career opportunity with their company. Most importantly, strive to make a positive impression in the minds of the company representatives so they remember you and want to help you. That is the key to successful networking.
Since 95 percent of jobseekers who attend career fairs fail to do this kind of follow-up, you will be in a class by yourself – an applicant who has displayed initiative. What company wouldn’t be impressed by that?
Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia
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