With the successful Meet The Firms Accounting night behind us, (photos above), we wanted to share some advice for all majors, when attending a career fair, like our upcoming Capital Region Intern Fair on Oct. 1, from 10 am- 3pm in the CUB GYM.
Get a head start by pre-registering here for this fair, to get a professional looking printed name tag when you check in at the fair. This link will also send you to the list of employers who are attending, either alphabetically with their web sites, or in a grouping by major. Check it out!
Below are a few tips to help you leave a memorable impression with recruiters!
(The following article was previously shared on LinkedIn’s “Penn State Career Connection”, by Samantha Dunn, an HR Associate at Swiss Re.)
1. Look the part – You can never change a first impression. Let employers know you are serious about your job search, by looking like the professional you intend to be.
2. Show your personality – This is a way for you to connect with the recruiter. We love to know what makes you unique and it allows recruiters to have a direct memory of your conversation.
3. Research the organizations you are interested in – It is a big negative if you pronounce the company’s name incorrectly. Know who you are talking to and why you are interested in them. Recruiters love candidates that engage with them and ask relevant questions. However, don’t be afraid to go up to a company that you have not heard of. Recruiters are happy to educate potential candidates on what their company does and how it could be a great fit for the candidate. 4. Confidence is key – The more confidence you have, the better you present yourself in an articulate manner. Caution though, there is a fine line between confidence and bragging.
5. Apply to the [positions] you are interested in. You should do this quickly following the career fair, if not before. Campus recruiting season is short, so the more timely you are with your application the better your chances for an interview.
Add-on from the PSH Career Office:
Don’t forget to send a Thank You Note to any employer/recruiter you speak with at the fair. This can go a long way to helping them remember you and makes you stand out from the crowd!
For more helpful tips, come to our Prepare for the Fair workshop, on Tues. Sept. 29 at 4:15 pm in room 102 EAB (North). And please come to the Career Services office to pick up your free Career Guide or Job Fair tip sheet. Tell us you saw this on our BLOG!