How to Introduce Yourself at a Job Fair

How to Introduce Yourself at a Job FairHow to Introduce Yourself at a Job FairWhetzu sich youre a college student going to acampus career ritterlichor an experienced candidateattending a professional job fair or aelendher networking event, your introduction is the first opportunity youll have to make a good impression. If youre not always comfortable with putting yourself out there, talking to people you dont know well, or selling yourself to prospective employers, it may help to learn how to introduce yourself at a job fair. Whats a Job Fair? A job fair (also known as a career fair), providesopportunities for job seekers to meet with many employers at one event. Attendees can chat with recruiters from participating companies, learn about job openings and career opportunities, and may have the chance for a quick on-the-spot job interview. Career fairs often offer networking programs, resume reviews, and job search workshops for job seekers, in addition to meetings with company re presentatives. How to Prepare for a Job Fair Attending an event with lots of people you dont know can be challenging, especially if youre not the fruchtwein outgoing person in the room. But its essential to moving your career along the path you want. Dont worry with a little preparation and practice, youll be able to introduce yourself in a professional and near stress-free manner. Remember, the people you meet with are interested in recruiting, and may be your future employer. Theyll do their best to make you feel comfortable. Take some time to prepare, and youll be able to present your credentials effectivelyto everyone you meet. If you know exactlywhat youre going to say and how youre going to say it, it will be even easier to connect with a recruiter. Review these tips for making a great first impression, and youll be well on your way togetting the most from the job fair. How to Introduce Yourself at a Job Fair Take the time to prepare.Dont wing it and walk into a care er fair without having done anything to get ready. If you have time, considergetting a business cardmade up with your contact information. Make sure your resume is current(giveit a quick makeoverif its not) and print out copies ready to hand out to recruiters. Research the companies.If theres a list of participating companies online, check them out to see who you want to meet with. If you have a priority list of employers youd like to connect with, youll be able to take your timeworking the roomand introducing yourself. What to bring.A portfolio is a great way to hold everything you need to bring. Another option is a large purse, small briefcase, or a messenger bag. Be sure you can easily get your materials out of it to share with recruiters. Bring 20 copies of your resume and a stack of business cards, if you have one. Also bring a notepad and pen to jot down names and facts you want to remember. Have questions ready.Have a list of questions you want to ask, so youre not fumbling f or what to say. If time permits, check out company websites in advance so youre familiar with the participating employers. Check out the mission statementofeachcompanyofinterest, as well as the openings listed on the career page. Review this list of thebest questions to ask at a job fairand personalize your own list of questions. Have your elevator pitch ready.An elevator pitch is a quick synopsis of yourskills, background, and experience. Get yours ready in advance and practice saying it. Recruit your friends and family to listen to you for 20 - 30 seconds or so- which is aslongas your pitch needs to be- and get their feedback. The more you practice it, the easier it will be to say. Review thesetips for writing an elevator pitch, with examples. What to do when youre especially shy.If networking really isnt your thing, consider bringing a friend, especially someone who is naturally sociable. It will be much easier if you have someone else 24 stundenging along. Also, read thesenetwor king tips for introvertsbefore you brave a career fair. Check in when you arrive at the fair.You may need to sign in at the reception area and get a name tag. Your name tag goes on your right side because youll be shaking hands with your right hand. Having the name tag on the same side as the handshake draws the recruiters eye to your name tag, making it easier for them to remember your name. Visit companies in priority order. Make the rounds, visiting your priority companies first. That way youll be mostlikely to get to meet a representative from the companies youre most interested in working for. If you have extra time, talk to other organizations too you may find a surprise company thats a good match. Introduce yourself with a smile.A smile really does make everyone feel better about themselves, and that includes the person youre introducing yourself to. Be proactive and take the initiative, tell the recruiter who you are, and offer to shake hands. A simple introduction is fine Hi, Im Amanda Jones, and Im pleased to meet you.Good morning, Im Anthony Tobias, and Im glad to meet you.Hello, Im Kimberly Smith. Its a pleasure to meet you. ExpandKeep it formal.Unless youre told otherwise, address the person staffing the desk as Mr. or Ms. After you introduce yourself, be prepared to give your elevator pitch and be ready to answer a few questions. Offer a copy of your resume and your business card, if you have one. Ask the recruiter for his or her business card to take with you. Follow up after the fair.Take the time to send a follow-up email. Send it is as soon as you can after the fair is finished. Its a way to make another good impression on the people you meet. Heres an example of afollow-up letter to send after a job fairthat you can tailor to match your own circumstances.