The Spring 2023 Career + Internship Fair is taking place on Friday, February 3, 2023, from 1 – 4pm at the University Club. You can register here!
Every networking opportunity is a step closer to landing a job or internship, and the Career Conference is a catalyst for this process. Whether your goal is to get a job or internship, meet new companies, or nurture your existing connections, the Career Conference will help you get there. However, it can be hard to seize the day when nerves are in the way. To alleviate any lingering apprehensions, I want to share my best practices from three and a half years of career conferences!
The Prep
Don’t make the mistake of walking into the career fair without any preparation beforehand. Not only will the recruiter know you’re uninterested in the company, but it is a wasted conversation for yourself because you won’t be able to ask questions that will get you valuable answers and connections. The Career Conference is all about your development and getting what you want out of it.
To unlock those meaningful conversations, start with researching the companies attending and whom they’re looking for. Once you know who will be there, do some light research on their organization and see if there are any specific opportunities that stick out to you. Jot down some notes and be sure to ask the recruiter about what you found the day of. While they might not have intel on every opportunity offered, they can direct you to who does, and that wins you another connection and conversation. These will be critical throughout your application process.
Now, you may be asking “How do I create these magic questions?” If you’re researching the company, naturally questions will arise. How does this internship prepare students for success post-graduation? When should I look out for the application?
But what happens when there’s a lull in the conversation and you need a moment to remember your specific questions? Then you’ll pivot to your backup general questions. These are five to seven questions you create that could apply to any company. Having these in your back pocket will not only give you time to collect your thoughts and regroup but also engage with companies you’re interested in that you may have missed in your initial research and didn’t have the chance to investigate prior to the day. Good themes for these backups surround company culture, growth opportunities, good qualities in candidates, and continued learning and development.
Lastly to prepare, try to print about ten resumes. Some recruiters will want them, others won’t, and either way is okay! You just want to make sure you’re prepared for any preference.
The Day
After all that prep work, you’re ready for the conference! With your foundation laid, you can win the day in three easy steps.
- Handshake or fist bump when approaching recruiters, whichever they prefer.
- Introduce yourself with a solid elevator pitch. Practice in the mirror a couple of times to get it out smoothly and calmly. Don’t forget to include why you’re here today. Review this worksheet to learn how to formulate a strong elevator pitch.
- Take the floor with your magic questions. This will initiate conversation and before you know it, you’ll have a new connection and career prospect.
The Follow Up
You’ve made the connections, given out resumes, learned about some new opportunities… now what? Follow up!
Send an appropriate email or LinkedIn message to the professionals you interacted with. Your message can be structured as follows:
- Thank them for their time
- Include an anecdote about your conversation
- Next steps you’re curious about. Whether it be a shadowing opportunity, recruiting timeline, or connection to another professional.
At the end of the day, it’s important to keep in mind that these professionals are just regular people that are coming to talk to you. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn about future possibilities and meet new people. If you have any questions or want to strategize further, schedule an appointment with the Career Development Office through Handshake. Good luck!
