Sponsorship Guide
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By Alan Fine
Interview
This is your opportunity to sell yourself and interview the company. Properly preparing for this moment will further your chances of being invited for an onsite interview. The guidelines listed below are helpful for preparing the interview opportunity at the career fair.
Before the career fair, write a small paragraph or script summarizing your experience. Become familiar with your script so it does not sound like it was memorized. The goal is the hit the high points of your career in 30 seconds or less.
Smile, shake hands firmly and introduce yourself. No "Eddie Haskell" or "buttering up" behavior. Be genuine. This is the first step. Do not walk up to the recruiter and immediately give out a resume.
This is the time for your script. Remember to keep it natural and easy. It does not have to be quoted verbatim. It is strictly a guide rail. The recruiter will probably ask for your resume at this point.
Interview the company representative. Ask questions. Ask the company representative why he/she is working there and how long. Why does he/she stay? Why do people leave? What is the most/least enjoyable aspect of working for ABC Company? Where is the greatest need in the company? These questions are just examples. Ask initial and follow-up questions as dictated by the conversation. Remember, you are making a decision about the company, just as they are making a decision about you.
Ask for a business card to follow-up with thank you E-Mails and reiterate your interest in the position. Thank you E-Mails should be sent the same day of the career fair. E-Mail is the more common method of communication.
Ask for the timeline for filling the position. What is the next step in the process?
Thank the recruiter for his/her time and state that you are looking forward to learning more about the position.
Follow-up
This is an important part of the interviewing process. Following up after a career fair demonstrates the ability to follow through with an assignment. It also communicates your interest in the position.
Send thank you E-Mails. As written earlier, the more common form employed is E-Mail. Traditional thank you notes are nice, but slow. In addition, recruiters and hiring managers travel frequently. They will always have access to E-Mail and not snail mail. In an environment that embraces hiring candidates quickly, make sure you do not slow down the process.
Include another copy of your resume in your E-Mail. Recruiters can distribute resumes to hiring managers directly from their E-Mail. Hard copies take longer to distribute to hiring managers.
Follow up with the recruiter no more than twice per week about the position. In each instance, use the phone and E-mail. Keep communications brief and precise.
Managing career fairs is important in reaching career goals. Do not derail yourself by not taking the time properly prepare for your future. Remember GOWI-Get On With It! Don't wait. Today is the day and now is the time to make a positive difference in my life and the lives of others. Best wishes in your search.
Charles Henderson, Jr. is Executive Director of CareerLife Management, a consulting firm, specializing in career coaching in Dallas, Texas. He can be contacted at careerlifemanagement@hotmail.com.
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