6 TIPS to get a Definitive Interview Call At a University Career Fair

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all those who have a GPA over 3.00, you have already said something about yourself. Folks with a lower GPA should definitely follow my next advice. While standing at the career fair and receiving 100+ resumes in a day, the resume should stand out. You can achieve this with creativity, profile picture, printing on colored paper and also making a bubble diagram of your achievements. Using a different format you can highlight your other strengths much better. See below</p><figure id="1625"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*iPxxl8yB0RYaCM_C66IgAw.png"><figcaption>Bubble diagram Resume format</figcaption></figure><p id="bc92">For more tips on resume writing stay tuned for the next blog.</p><h2 id="6f67">3. Research the companies you plan to visit</h2><p id="d0e3">Highlight all the companies related to your Field of study and take a printed list. Go to each company’s website and note down a few points about the company operations. On the day of the fair before visiting the company stall, quickly refer to the document and to get some starter conversation. Also see if they have an opening in the department you are interested in.</p><figure id="2bb5"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*cD1dcH_SJtCWaF2lIYuRAg.png"><figcaption>Company list and Notes</figcaption></figure><p id="136e">Even if they only have a senior level role listed, this is a good indication they would need an entry level employee for the same department soon. Note down if they do not have an opening on the website and ask them about it. The recruiters will not know about every department so insist them to give you a person’s contact from that department. Companies do not expect you to know everything about them and hence do not get very deep for your research.</p><h2 id="f585">4. Con

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nect beforehand</h2><p id="5dcc">If you have visited the company the previous semester, then follow up with them before the coming career fair. Let them know you saw them last semester and will be hoping to see them again in the following week. This builds anticipation and is something no One else is going to do. The recruiter is sure to remember you and expect to see you. You have now built a very good contact in the company and are sure to get a good reference from them.</p><h2 id="7b35">5. Talking tips</h2><p id="3d57">First and foremost a good, firm handshake with a smile is absolutely necessary. This shows enthusiasm and willingness to talk. You should have an elevator speech ready. The elevator speech should talk about</p><ul><li>Your name and your year of Study</li><li>What job Position you are looking for and in which year/semester</li><li>Where you are from and which location of the office you are interested in</li><li>Why you are interested in the position: you can always say that you went through their website and found “ONE” of their projects very fascinating. For example since I am a civil engineer I would talk about a Nice building they recently build.</li><li>End with a question for them to answer : “ Can you tell me about the latest project you are working on” or “ What job duties do they typically have for an intern” or “Who is the best person to contact from XX department for this position”. Be sure this question keeps the conversation going and is relating to the company.</li></ul><h2 id="17c3">6.Business card and Thank you Note</h2><p id="a32a">Before you depart ask for their business card. Send a thank you note within the following week. The Note should include some specific points from the conversation you’ll had. Be sure to save the card for Connecting again.</p></article></body>

6 TIPS to get a Interview Call At a University Career Fair

Do you think making all the effort of dressing up and going to the career fair every semester is futile when all of them tell you APPLY ONLINE? (Seriously?!)

I heard this from every company and I thought to myself why did I even come here? I could have just stayed at home in my pajamas and applied online. Until the day I actually got a job in my dream company by literally going to the career fair. Now that I am on the other side as a recruiter I am seeing the misconceptions students have about the career fair and what they miss out on! Here are my tips for making your impression at the Career Fair and actually finding a job through it.

1. Presentation, presentation and presentation

On my recent visit to a career fair I actually had a student come in shorts and without a resume. This is most definitely not a good sign and I was not impressed. Lack of seriousness and professionalism what the only indication. Dressing up is recommended but do not spend an hour deciding your outfit. Just some pants and a formal shirt will do. For the 60–90 sec you get to talk to the recruiter, we do not have time to look at your outfit. We will be focusing on the resume. So as long as you look presentable and are wearing something formal looking you are good to go for this point.

2. Creative and professional resume

You have probably heard this a million times about how your resume should stand out. When you are competing with other students in your class who have taken most of the same classes one very BIG differentiator is your GPA. This is easy to see on the resume (Numbers!) and could create a very quick good first impression. So for all those who have a GPA over 3.00, you have already said something about yourself. Folks with a lower GPA should definitely follow my next advice. While standing at the career fair and receiving 100+ resumes in a day, the resume should stand out. You can achieve this with creativity, profile picture, printing on colored paper and also making a bubble diagram of your achievements. Using a different format you can highlight your other strengths much better. See below

Bubble diagram Resume format

For more tips on resume writing stay tuned for the next blog.

3. Research the companies you plan to visit

Highlight all the companies related to your Field of study and take a printed list. Go to each company’s website and note down a few points about the company operations. On the day of the fair before visiting the company stall, quickly refer to the document and to get some starter conversation. Also see if they have an opening in the department you are interested in.

Company list and Notes

Even if they only have a senior level role listed, this is a good indication they would need an entry level employee for the same department soon. Note down if they do not have an opening on the website and ask them about it. The recruiters will not know about every department so insist them to give you a person’s contact from that department. Companies do not expect you to know everything about them and hence do not get very deep for your research.

4. Connect beforehand

If you have visited the company the previous semester, then follow up with them before the coming career fair. Let them know you saw them last semester and will be hoping to see them again in the following week. This builds anticipation and is something no One else is going to do. The recruiter is sure to remember you and expect to see you. You have now built a very good contact in the company and are sure to get a good reference from them.

5. Talking tips

First and foremost a good, firm handshake with a smile is absolutely necessary. This shows enthusiasm and willingness to talk. You should have an elevator speech ready. The elevator speech should talk about

Your name and your year of Study

What job Position you are looking for and in which year/semester

Where you are from and which location of the office you are interested in

Why you are interested in the position: you can always say that you went through their website and found “ONE” of their projects very fascinating. For example since I am a civil engineer I would talk about a Nice building they recently build.

End with a question for them to answer : “ Can you tell me about the latest project you are working on” or “ What job duties do they typically have for an intern” or “Who is the best person to contact from XX department for this position”. Be sure this question keeps the conversation going and is relating to the company.