There are a large number of ways to interact with companies nowadays.
The career fair is a very effective and personal way to interact with a number of different companies in a very short period of time. Here are some simple tips to help you perform during a career fair. Do research
The key to being successful at a career fair is to do research before you go. Make a first selection of
the companies you feel could be interesting for you. Include many types of employers. Once you have decided on
the list of companies you want to visit, go to their career portal. Inform yourself about what
the company does, i.e what roles there are available, how
the company culture is described, what impression
the testimonials give you.
The question that you still have after reviewing this information, are
the ones you can discuss with
the company on
the fair. Sell yourself Visit
the companies you have on your top 5 list first, so you will be at your highest energy level to make that first impression. Think in advance about what you are going to tell
the recruiter. Prepare a 30-second introduction (including degree, strengths, skills & experience) Be confident when you talk about your experience. Remember to start
the conversation with a smile, make
good eye contact and give a firm handshake. You could be speaking to your next manager, so be professional! If you already know what jobs you are interested in, relate your skills and experience to
the roles that
the company has available. If you are not yet sure gather as much information as you can about employment and/or hiring procedures, specific skills necessary for different jobs, training and career paths. Stand out As career fairs are very crowded and
the attending companies meet with a lot of potential candidates on one day, you have to make sure you are noticed in a positive way. A
good preparation and asking questions that show you have a
good understanding of
the industry, organization and roles will help you. Be aware of time demands on employers. Do not monopolize an employer's time. Dress appropriately to make a
good first impression. Bring your resume Do not forget to bring your resume in print or on a USB-stick to
the fair. If you are searching for different types of jobs, bring different versions of your resume. Your resume should be short and professional on white paper that is free of graphics or fancy print styles and containing larger margins for interviewer notes. Follow up After each conversation ask who you can contact for follow-up discussions about
the specific roles. Use
the back of a business card to record notes that help you remember important details and follow-up instructions. If no card is available, record
the contact information and your comments in your notepad or phone. Last but not least, thank everyone you talk to for their time. Follow up as soon as possible with thank you notes that address
the companies’ hiring needs, your qualifications, and express your desire for a second interview. What not to do… Do not visit a company with a group of friends. Interact with
the companies on your own, to make your own positive impression. Do not walk up to a recruiter and interrupt a current conversation; wait your turn and be polite. What you should absolutely avoid is a grab and run on freebies! Take
the time to speak to
the company and ask for a freebie at
the end of
the conversation in case they are not offered to you.
Good luck with
the preparations for
the career fair you will attend. Oracle recruiters look forward to meet you! They will be present on a large number of fairs in
the region. For an overview of
the fairs go to
the Events & Calendar page on http://campus.oracle.com If you have any questions related to this article feel free to contact
[email protected].
