The UNH Internship and Career Fair is coming up on Tuesday, March 4th, and all of us in the Internship and Career Planning Office want to make sure you are prepared! During our walk-ins this week, many of your questions were about making the right impression and making the most of your time with employers. To help your day in Durham run smoothly, here are 5 steps to take for success.
1. Pre-Register
Four hours might seem like a lot of time, but when you have the potential to meet over 100 employers, every second counts! Pre-Registering for the fair will get you access to the detailed list of employers that will be attending, and will also make check in much easier once you get there. Give your name, get a nametag, and start networking. It’s that simple!
To Pre-Register for the fair, follow the directions here.
2. Do Your Research
Once you’ve registered online through Wildcat Careers, you will have access to a detailed directory of employers. This is a comprehensive list that includes information about what they do and who they are looking for. Identify your target employers, and make sure that you know as much about them as possible. The more you already know, the more impressive you are to an employer, and the more likely you are to be able to articulate what you bring to the table as a potential employee.
3. Dress For Success
Professional dress is a must if you are looking to make a great first impression. Always dress as if you are going for an important interview. After all, a career fair is a series of mini interviews! Even if you know that your target employers work in a casual environment, it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed. By dressing professionally, you will send the message to employers that you take the event seriously and appreciate the time they are taking to meet with you.
For a breakdown of appropriate career fair attire, take a look at UNH’s guides on what to wear for men and women.
4. Practice your Elevator Pitch
When you get to the fair, you will find that you only have a short amount of time to talk to your target employers. For every one employer in attendance, there are many more students looking to speak to them. That is why having an elevator pitch is so important. If you were in an elevator with someone who is recruiting for your dream job, what would you say to convince them that you’re the person for the job before they leave? The idea is to fit as much valuable information into your conversation with an employer as possible, and practice makes perfect!
Nervous? Try talking to a few employers that are not you target employers first to get into the swing of things and help calm your jitters.
5. Take Notes and Always Follow Up
As a conversation winds down with an employer, always make sure that you walk away with something physically in your hand. Retrieving this information can help you in two different ways. First, whether it is a business card or brochure, once you walk away from a table, be sure to take a quick note on the back about your discussion. Assuming you will be meeting many different employers, your notes will help you remember what connections you made when the event is over. Second, walking away with information will ensure that you have some contact information for the organization to be able to follow up. Employers at the fair will meet with many students, so a follow up email or phone call to say thank you and reiterate your interest is a way for you to remind them of who you are and what you have to offer their organization.
By following these steps, you can gain valuable experience in professional etiquette, increase your potential for professional success and make some valuable professional connections!
More helpful tips for the upcoming UNH Career Fair are available on the UNH website.
Need a ride? Sign up to take a free bus to Durham through Wildcat Careers! To save yourself a seat, RSVP to “Transportation to Career & Internship Fair 3/4/14” through the Events tab.
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