‘Tis the season, here comes the fall job fair. Next week I am at both Howard University and MIT with a workshop that is designed for students to ‘own’ their job fair experience. How do they prepare in order to be performing in the top 10% of all students who attend job fairs this fall everywhere in America? That’s the essence of the sessions.
Remember, for the corporate campus recruiter, this falls job fair is far from their first rodeo. They are hitting a series of them as they do every fall and spring. They are experts in spotting talent that are a fit. By fit, I mean:
Not only are they searching for candidates that meet the above criteria, they are measured on their results. Further, in most companies, they measure how these new-hires do over time as well. They thrive, and the recruiter gets major accolades.
But Sometimes Things Don’t Work Out
If you have the potential to be great, to become amazing in their organization, and you walk into their booth at the job fair unprepared, you could be disregarded and no one will ever know what might have been. And that might have been, could have been life changing.
The fall job fair is the key annual event to gain employment whether that is for an internship or a full time offer. The spring job fair is almost always smaller.
Nailing The Job Fair
What If You Are a Freshman?
Go anyway, but set your expectations realistically. If you are seeking an internship over this coming summer, those are tough because the date of potential hire is farther away. It gets easier for Sophomores and Juniors. You MUST get an internship by then.
The road to multiple offers is paved with internships.
Know most of those recruiters will be back for the spring job fair and nearly all will be back next fall. Making a great impression will serve you well in to the future.
Finally, you need to get good at this. The Department of Labor estimates that you will have many jobs over the course of your career and you will be searching every two to four years. The skills you develop here will serve you your whole career. These skills are incredibly valuable.
Good Luck!