By Sue Gannon
Does the thought of going to a job fair bring butterflies to your stomach? You are not alone. Most people would rather go to the dentist than to a networking event. The idea of mingling with hundreds of other jobseekers trying to get noticed by employers can so daunting that many people give up before they begin.
That is a shame because job fairs can be a very effective way of gathering information. Here is your chance to check out employers without waiting to be contacted by them. David, a successful jobseeker, sees it as “the one place where the employers are waiting for you. Instead of contacting a nameless mailbox, you can meet with them face-to-face and it’s free.”
Too Late, Too Little
David didn’t always feel this way. He used to hate going to job fairs. He didn’t like the crowds, the noise, or competing for the interviewers’ attention. Being introverted, an hour at a social function like this left him exhausted. Consequently, he avoided going to them until he was desperate.
His apprehension caused him to delay as long as possible, leaving him little time to prepare. Often on the day of the job fair, he would discover that his suit was soiled and his shirt needed ironing. He would leave without getting directions and arrive late. Upon arrival, he would hang back and envy the other applicants engaged in conversations.
Eventually, he would see the recruiters starting to pack up and realize that he had better get going. The recruiter that he was interested in might be busy and he wouldn’t get to the front of the table in time. His experience confirmed his belief that job fairs were not for people like him and he would vow to spend more time on the Internet.
Unlike David, John is energized by social contact. His tendency toward extroversion encourages him to seek out new people and new situations. He smiles easily and finds it easy to strike up a conversation. Often he comes home from an event feeling revved up and sometimes has a hard time relaxing.
However, John didn’t utilize his natural gifts to his advantage. John is so comfortable in crowds that he expected employers would be impressed by his spontaneity. On the day of the job fair, John relaxed around the house, answering his email, talking on the phone and playing with his children. Suddenly he realized that time had slipped away and he’d better get going.
Once at the event, he was easily distracted and found himself talking indiscriminately to any friendly face, even if it was for a job that didn’t interest him. His eagerness to connect often led him to talk too much or disclose a bit of information that he later regretted. At the end of the time, John had spoken to only a few recruiters, none of whom were with his first-choice companies.
Planning to Succeed
John and David are two very different people, but they both failed to take advantage of the opportunities provided by job fairs. They didn’t need to change who they are, they just needed to use their natural tendencies to their advantage. Here’s how early planning gave each of them an edge.
Since prolonged social interaction saps David’s energy, he developed a strategy to use his time more wisely. Before the job fair, he decided on his preferred companies and prepared questions to ask their representatives. John also prioritized his list to avoid being distracted. John’s approach allowed him to focus his charm and charisma where it would do him the most good. Advance preparation ensured that they maximized their “face time” with the top companies and displayed their best qualities.
Whether you are like David or John or a combination of the two, preparation pays off. Here are some general guidelines to get you started.
Before the Event
* Most job fairs have a list of the participating employers on their advertisement. If not, you can call the hosting agency. Then, get information about the organizations that most interest you.
* The Internet is a good place to start.
* Think about why you want to work for an organization.
* If you don’t know, they won’t either. Plan some questions to ask the representatives. This shows you are interested in finding a good match for both you and the employer. Practice out loud in front of the mirror.
* Be prepared for an on-the-spot interview and dress appropriately. At a recent campus job fair, most participants showed up in jeans and backpacks. The few people wearing nicer clothes got most of the attention.
* Try to identify specific experiences where you have demonstrated your skills and special qualities.
* Bring at least ten copies of your resume.
During the Job Fair
* Take a tip from an introvert like David and first browse the scene to plan and prioritize your visits. If one booth is crowded, you can come back later when it is not so busy and not waste your time waiting.
* When meeting with a representative, introduce yourself and make eye contact while giving a firm handshake. Look at their name tag and address the representative by name and title (Mr. or Ms.). Ask for a business card.
* Listen carefully to what the representative has to say and maintain friendly eye contact. Feel free to take notes. This is an opportunity to ask what the hiring procedure is.
* Smile and be polite. Extroverts like John know that enthusiasm is noticed and appreciated. Show confidence in your voice by speaking clearly and with good volume. Preparing your questions and statements in advance can help you avoid filler words, such as “um,” “like” and “you know.”
* If you have time, speak with organizations that you had not considered before. Even if you find that you are not interested, it is good practice.
After the Event
* As soon as possible, send a thank-you note to ensure that your name is remembered. You can send an extra resume in your thank-you letter.
* You can also call to check on the hiring procedure or the status of your application but, before calling, plan what you are going to say.
By being prepared, you can be more confident and make best use of this opportunity to try a more sophisticated method of job exploration. Furthermore, knowing yourself as David and John learned to do, you can use your natural inclinations to your advantage. If you are unsure about your own style, a competent career counselor will be able to assist you.
Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia
Does the thought of going to a job fair bring butterflies to your stomach? You are not alone. Most people would rather go to the dentist than to a networking event. The idea of mingling with hundreds of other jobseekers trying to get noticed by employers can so daunting that many people give up before they begin.
That is a shame because job fairs can be a very effective way of gathering information. Here is your chance to check out employers without waiting to be contacted by them. David, a successful jobseeker, sees it as “the one place where the employers are waiting for you. Instead of contacting a nameless mailbox, you can meet with them face-to-face and it’s free.”
Too Late, Too Little
David didn’t always feel this way. He used to hate going to job fairs. He didn’t like the crowds, the noise, or competing for the interviewers’ attention. Being introverted, an hour at a social function like this left him exhausted. Consequently, he avoided going to them until he was desperate.
His apprehension caused him to delay as long as possible, leaving him little time to prepare. Often on the day of the job fair, he would discover that his suit was soiled and his shirt needed ironing. He would leave without getting directions and arrive late. Upon arrival, he would hang back and envy the other applicants engaged in conversations.
Eventually, he would see the recruiters starting to pack up and realize that he had better get going. The recruiter that he was interested in might be busy and he wouldn’t get to the front of the table in time. His experience confirmed his belief that job fairs were not for people like him and he would vow to spend more time on the Internet.
Unlike David, John is energized by social contact. His tendency toward extroversion encourages him to seek out new people and new situations. He smiles easily and finds it easy to strike up a conversation. Often he comes home from an event feeling revved up and sometimes has a hard time relaxing.
However, John didn’t utilize his natural gifts to his advantage. John is so comfortable in crowds that he expected employers would be impressed by his spontaneity. On the day of the job fair, John relaxed around the house, answering his email, talking on the phone and playing with his children. Suddenly he realized that time had slipped away and he’d better get going.
Once at the event, he was easily distracted and found himself talking indiscriminately to any friendly face, even if it was for a job that didn’t interest him. His eagerness to connect often led him to talk too much or disclose a bit of information that he later regretted. At the end of the time, John had spoken to only a few recruiters, none of whom were with his first-choice companies.
Planning to Succeed
John and David are two very different people, but they both failed to take advantage of the opportunities provided by job fairs. They didn’t need to change who they are, they just needed to use their natural tendencies to their advantage. Here’s how early planning gave each of them an edge.
Since prolonged social interaction saps David’s energy, he developed a strategy to use his time more wisely. Before the job fair, he decided on his preferred companies and prepared questions to ask their representatives. John also prioritized his list to avoid being distracted. John’s approach allowed him to focus his charm and charisma where it would do him the most good. Advance preparation ensured that they maximized their “face time” with the top companies and displayed their best qualities.
Whether you are like David or John or a combination of the two, preparation pays off. Here are some general guidelines to get you started.
Before the Event
* Most job fairs have a list of the participating employers on their advertisement. If not, you can call the hosting agency. Then, get information about the organizations that most interest you.
* The Internet is a good place to start.
* Think about why you want to work for an organization.
* If you don’t know, they won’t either. Plan some questions to ask the representatives. This shows you are interested in finding a good match for both you and the employer. Practice out loud in front of the mirror.
* Be prepared for an on-the-spot interview and dress appropriately. At a recent campus job fair, most participants showed up in jeans and backpacks. The few people wearing nicer clothes got most of the attention.
* Try to identify specific experiences where you have demonstrated your skills and special qualities.
* Bring at least ten copies of your resume.
During the Job Fair
* Take a tip from an introvert like David and first browse the scene to plan and prioritize your visits. If one booth is crowded, you can come back later when it is not so busy and not waste your time waiting.
* When meeting with a representative, introduce yourself and make eye contact while giving a firm handshake. Look at their name tag and address the representative by name and title (Mr. or Ms.). Ask for a business card.
* Listen carefully to what the representative has to say and maintain friendly eye contact. Feel free to take notes. This is an opportunity to ask what the hiring procedure is.
* Smile and be polite. Extroverts like John know that enthusiasm is noticed and appreciated. Show confidence in your voice by speaking clearly and with good volume. Preparing your questions and statements in advance can help you avoid filler words, such as “um,” “like” and “you know.”
* If you have time, speak with organizations that you had not considered before. Even if you find that you are not interested, it is good practice.
After the Event
* As soon as possible, send a thank-you note to ensure that your name is remembered. You can send an extra resume in your thank-you letter.
* You can also call to check on the hiring procedure or the status of your application but, before calling, plan what you are going to say.
By being prepared, you can be more confident and make best use of this opportunity to try a more sophisticated method of job exploration. Furthermore, knowing yourself as David and John learned to do, you can use your natural inclinations to your advantage. If you are unsure about your own style, a competent career counselor will be able to assist you.
Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia
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