CyberFootprint

Career fairs are a great opportunity to get on the recruiters’ radar screens.  However, most of the job hunters do not use them properly. I want to share some knowledge I’ve gained so far and give you an idea about how the job fairs work.

Career fairs were already discussed by Lauren Dee at Culpwrit.com. Recently, I’ve had the pleasure to participate at Career Days – a two days long Czech job fair aimed at the students and graduates. The purpose of the event was to

help the students and graduates find out about possible future employment by networking with the most significant companies in the Czech Republic.

Don’t focus on getting a job

Many of the student attendees solely concentrated on landing a job or an internship. They were unsuccessful, disappointed, and some of them didn’t even show up for the second day. Not only they failed to get a job, they wasted their and companies’ time. What did they do wrong?

The seekers were very self-centered. They forgot that getting a good job is not only about them. It is mainly about the firms the candidates want to apply to.

If the company representative says they are not on the lookout for your qualification, take their word for it. Apply when there will be an open position that matches your skills and requirements.

The seekers were too aggressive. The companies did not come there to hire the graduates; they came there to establish contact and build awareness about themselves.

A student of mechanical engineering kept insisting (3 times) on submitting a CV, even though the HR rep. made it clear that the firm isn’t looking for anyone with technical background. That was not smart at all, so his door to the company is shut.

Don’t focus on getting the job, focus on getting leads.

Make an impression

• SMILE!
• Ask intelligent questions
• Show you have done your homework (be knowledgeable about the firm of your interest)
• Exchange business cards with the recruiters
• Chat with the company representatives (formally and informally, depending on the situation)

Why? The job fairs are there for the companies to establish rapport with the students. If you position yourself as an active seeker, the potential employers will want to talk to you, even though they do not have a vacancy suitable just for you. That means extra points for you!

Follow up

After the fair, I’ve ended up with zillions of business cards, tons of promotional materials, and a total mess in my head. First thing on my to-do list for the next day were the thank-you notes. I sent them to all firms on my shortlist. The reason for it is simple.

When the economic downturn turns into growth, the vacancies will open once again. Chances are that if you will have kept in touch with the recruiters, they will remember you. You will get an interview without much extra effort.

The next job fair is coming up – Job Days. I’ll see you there!

Image credit: Christie13 via Flickr.com