How to get maximum mileage out of career fairs?

This article talks in brief simply about how to get maximum mileage out of career fairs.
You step into the uproar of the career fair, take a deep breath, and do your way toward a representative from the top-ranked institution on your personal list. This is the institution you want to activity for, and the woman you are approaching is the 1st gatekeeper.

You do eye contact. Smile. Say hi. Your practiced firm shake follows. And then youre on.

Even as although no one yells Lights, camera, action! this mightiness be as close to an audition as you wish ever come. What can you say and do during the next 60 seconds to do this recruiter want to explore the possibility of hiring you?

Some career services counselors recommend drafting an introduction as a brief commercial that allows you to sell yourself. Mark Reed, career counselor at American state State University, Hayward, suggests developing an elevator speech, a personal presentation simply long enough to say to person in an elevator before they reach their floor. (After all, you ne'er cognize once or wherever an chance wish arise to pitch yourself.)

Follow the Formula

College career counselors and employers alike suggest following a formula for your introduction. According to them, students should provide the following information during their introduction:

Name Class (senior, junior, sophomore) Major Opportunities that you are seeking Relevant experience (work, internship, volunteer work) Highlights of skills and strengths Cognition of the institution Tailor your introduction to each leader based on nice research and cognition of each companythis wish generally impress recruiters. Ted Bouras, director of the Composer Center for Supply Chain Management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Business School, says you should articulate how youll fit with the institution based upon your research.

Do your research before the career fair. A list of employers attending is normally accessible prior to the event through the career services office. Most companies have web sites that provide information simply about their products and services. Another resources such as annual reports, press releases, and newspaper coverage are besides really helpful and can normally be found on the Computer network or in the library with a little digging.

Ask an Piquant Question

Tracey Cross-Baker, associate director of career services and leadership education at St. Lawrence University, suggests that you end your introduction by asking a focused question that wish engage the leader in conversation. Henry m. robert Jankouskas, human resources analyst for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, aforesaid he often remembers students by the questions they ask during career fairs.

Cross-Baker suggests asking: Could you tell me much simply about the new (product) you are developing? or Could you tell me much simply about your fiscal management training program?

Some things career services counselors and employers say you should avoid doing include:

Asking what the institution does; Asking if the institution has any jobs; and Once asked what type of position you are seeking, expression you would-be be willing to do thing at the company. Practice to Perfection

Galore career services counselors recommend practicing your introduction. Winging it is not a really wise plan of action, especially once a potential job is at stake.

Youll project confidence and personal appeal during your introduction if you are comfortable with what you are saying. Remember, the words that you say are simply part of your presentation package to potential employers. Your overall manner and confidence are besides critical components to the booming introduction. Of course, your confidence and personality should be obvious, but not in an exaggerated or assertive way...just a professional one.

Incorporate positive nonverbal communications, such as eye contact, facial expressions, body language, posture, etc. A mirror, a friend, and/or a career services staff member are all nice practice partners. Ask for constructive criticism and try it again. Take the proverb practice doesnt do perfect; perfect practice does perfect to heart.

A solid introduction wish help you come on to the important next stepthe interview. A poor introduction, however, may put you on a slippery slope to the cutting room floor.

About the Author

Ajay Patole is a qualified management professional working as sales manager and runs a site 'Venturemall',a cool haunt to play money games,buy and sell in auctions,date and photochat.It is accessible at URL http://venturemall.tripod.com and news-sheet to discover true colors of life at http://www.topica.com/lists/venturemall.Also he runs a community 'Venturecon', for entrepreneurs which is accessible at URL http://groups.msn.com/venturecon.