Although I have learned an infinite amount about networking, career fairs, and internships in my role as a Peer Advisor, talking to prospective employers and recruiters still makes me nervous. I have attended several career fairsthis semester, and I have been personally the most successful when I pre-selected a small number of employers to visit, and when I prepared notes and an elevator speech ahead of time.
While my methods may not work for everyone, as I am sure that some Cal undergrads are quite the “power networkers”, I prefer to talk to just three employers at each career fair. I look up the list of who is coming on Callisto(this is usually available two weeks ahead of time), and then choose three employers that interest me. I look at the internships that they have listed, print out my resume, and try to find overlap between what they skills and qualifications they want, and what I have to offer.
I then look up information about the company or organization on their website, focusing on new projects or current events. I compile the information about the job listing and a few talking points from the website onto an index card that I bring to the career fair.
Once I arrive at the career fair I bring my padfolio with at least 10 copies of my resume (even though I am targeting only three employers I may hand my resume out to others). I find the map provided by the Career Centerat the entrance, and then find my three employers for whom I have made index cards.
I always write the name of the recruiter I spoke with on the map below their station. This can be a good idea while waiting in line to speak with someone. During the waiting period I also review my index card and mingle with other Cal students. I think that being friendly with other students reflects well upon candidates, as it shows that you are professional and mature.
Once I have the opportunity to speak with a recruiter I make sure to identify who I am and why I am interested. It is important to both showcase your abilities while highlighting your intent and purpose for the conversation (i.e. a well-prepared elevator speech!). While speaking with one think-tank at the Internship & Summer Job Fair on February 19, 2009, I explained that I was interested in their research internship because I had recently written a research paper about Iraq’s economy. I mentioned that I had read some of their literature regarding the subject and asked probing questions about the future of that specific issue. While discussing a personal accomplishment I was able to include my knowledge of the organization and create an interesting conversation.
Good conversations with recruiters often happen by luck. They may have been in the same professional fraternity as you are, or they may have previously worked at the place where you are currently interning. I think that this method creates a more guaranteed meaningful conversation. But by preparing thoroughly in advance, and by trying to remove some stressful, overwhelming components of the career fair experience, I think students of all majors and backgrounds can excel with any recruiter just like I did!
Post by Mary Chesus, 2nd year Economics/PEIS major.
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