"WANT TO WORK IN SPACE?"
Sci Fi
Fans are some of the most intelligent People on the
Planet, why not take a moment to see if we can turn this
moment into Employment for one of our Guests...
CURRENT ATTENDEE LIST
So here
is our Guide to acing our Career Fair , it covers almost
everything you need to know—from getting ready for the Event,
to making a great impression, and following up afterward.
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be on your way to
landing Interviews in no time.
BEFORE THE
EVENT:
●
Find Out Who Will Be There
Look—or ask—for a List of all the Companies who will be
attending prior to the Event, and prioritize the ones you
want to approach. This way, if you run out of time to meet
everyone, you’ll at least be sure you’ve hit your top
choices.
And while a Career Fair is a good time learn about
Companies, you should know a little about them before
showing up. You’ll be able to ask deeper questions, and get
better information, if you already have some background to
work with.
So before you go, do some Research about each Company on
your Priority List and be prepared to tailor your
conversations specifically to each Recruiter.
●
Pack Your (Small) Bag
What should you bring to a Career Fair? Not much. Don’t
carry a bulky Briefcase or Handbag—you want to be able to
easily make your way across the room, have your hands free
for handshaking, and not look disheveled. All you need is a
small Purse, plus a dark, plain Folder to hold your Resumes,
and any Information you pick up at the Event.
Bring at least 20 copies of your Resume (more if there are
more Companies that you’d like to meet with), a Pen and
Paper for taking Notes, and Business Cards (if you have
them).
●
Dress
for Success (and Comfort)
As with any Interview, it’s important to dress
Professionally, Neatly and above Clean—but at a Career
Fair at a 4-day Festival, you want to be comfortable, too.
Wear a lightweight Outfit, that won’t get too hot, and
check your Coat, or leave it behind. And make sure your
Shoes are extra comfortable—you might be on your Feet for
several hours!
DURING THE EVENT:
●
Don’t
Be Shy
As you approach each Table, be friendly, be confident, and
be prepared with something to say. Introduce yourself with a
Smile, Eye Contact, and a brief, firm Handshake. Often, the
Recruiter will take the lead, and ask you Questions, but you
should also have your Elevator Pitch ready—a 30-second
soundbite of what you want the Company to know about
you. To really use your time wisely, you should be
able to concisely convey why you’re interested in the
particular Company, and how your Skills, or Qualifications
suit the Position.
But, at the same time—don’t go too fast! Job Seekers have a
tendency to speak quickly, which comes across as rushed, or
nervous. You want to speak slowly, and with interest.
●
Get
Your Resume in Their Hands
One of the biggest mistakes Job Seekers make, is not giving
out their Resume until the end of the Meeting—at this Point,
the Recruiter may have gotten interrupted, or moved on to
Someone else. Instead, as you speak about yourself, hand
your Resume to the Recruiter, and point out the places that
substantiate what you’re saying.
This will draw their attention to your Resume, and make you
stand out from the other faces at the table, as well.
●
Give a Memorable Goodbye
You want the Person you’re speaking with to know you’re
interested in his or her company. So ask relevant
questions—and also be sure to ask about next steps. You
should also offer to come by the Recruiter’s Office, for a
longer conversation in person.
When the Conversation is wrapping up, make sure to Thank the
person you’re speaking with, for their time. Most
importantly, request a Business Card! Believe me, there’s no
way you’ll remember everyone’s Names, at the end of the
Event. Plus, you’ll want to have their Email Address, so you
can follow up.
AFTER THE EVENT:
●
Follow Up
Within 24-48 hours of the Career Fair, send a Thank You Note
to each person you met with, whether you’re interested in
the Company or not. Who knows—the next time you go to one of
these things, the Recruiter, at that dull Software Company,
could be working for Google!
If you think the Recruiter would appreciate a handwritten
Note, send one, but also send Emails to everyone. And don’t
copy and paste—it’s OK for your messages to be short, but
you’ll want to personalize them, to each Company and
Recruiter.
●
Take Action
For the Companies you are interested in, follow the
Recruiter’s instructions about applying for a Position. If
you need to submit your Resume Online, do so within a few
days of the Event, so that you’re still fresh in the
Company’s mind.
And if there’s not a Position available right now, that’s a
good fit, ask the Recruiter if you can come in for an
informational Interview (asking is as easy, as following
this Guide). Getting even more face time with the company is
always a good thing!
It’s not always easy to stand out at a Career Fair, but if you
arrive Prepared, and Organized, approach the tables politely,
and well-practiced, and follow up the right way—you’ll already
be ahead of the Pack...
REMEMBER
TO
HAVE FUN, AND ENJOY YOURSELVES!!!!...