By Angela Rose, BioSpace.com
You’ve searched the job boards, perused the classifieds and eagerly reviewed the “employment” section of your dream company’s website. Now it’s time for a new adventure – the career fair. It could prove to be your most useful job search tool yet. With numerous hiring managers and recruiters from top companies attending the best career fairs, attendees can literally connect with more potential employers in a couple of hours than is possible in months using other methods. The difference between those who are hired and those who are forgotten is in preparation and follow up.
Preparation is simple. Once you’ve identified the career fair you wish to attend, check out the event website. You should find a list of the companies attending as well as their disciplines of interest. You may find information on available positions as well. Make a list of the companies with which you particularly want to meet. Make notes as reminders about what each company does, where they are located and the positions that may be available. If necessary, visit their websites to gather these details.
Bring several copies of your resume to the career fair. You may need to submit one at registration. You will also need one to leave with each recruiter you plan to engage. Consider creating customized versions specific to each of your top picks. You can leave generic versions with the other recruiters you meet. Do not be offended if a hiring manager refuses your resume and instructs you to submit it online. Some companies have strict policies governing their hiring practices. In this case, offer a business card instead.
As you conclude each meeting, ask for the business card, or at least the email address, of the recruiter or hiring manager. Take a few moments after each meeting to make notes about your experience. What did you learn about the position available? What did you learn about the company? Was anything particularly memorable discussed? You can use this sort of information to remind the representative of your conversation later on.
After the event, send each recruiter, hiring manager or company representative an email. You may do this immediately after the event or a few days later, but don’t wait longer than one week. Include your name and the name of the career fair in the subject line. Thank each recruiter for his time. Reiterate your interest in the company and remind him why you are the perfect candidate for the position. Mention your availability for an interview. Keep each email professional and brief –no more than three short paragraphs.
If you do not receive a response to your email after a few days, you may follow up with a phone call. Determine what you’re going to say ahead of time, whether you are put to voicemail or reach the recruiter directly. It’s perfectly acceptable to reword the message you sent in your email.
There’s no doubt that recruiters and hiring managers are busy. You may not receive a response even if you made a favorable impression. Stay on their radar without being a pest by sending an email once a month as you continue your job search. You can connect with recruiters and hiring managers via LinkedIn as well. If they decide you’re not the best fit for this particular job, one may open up down the line that will be perfect for you –and you’ll have the career fair, and your follow up process, to thank.
About the Author
Angela Rose researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for BioSpace.com.
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