You are at the Hiring Fair, now what?
The Career Centre Hiring Fair takes place on Thursday, April 12 from 12 -4pm at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre.
When you arrive at the Hiring Fair, take some time to get familiar with the layout, take a walk around the entire venue and see where everything is and locate the employers you would like to meet. Make a list of all the employers you would like talk to. In order to get some practice, start with an employer that is not at the top of your list and introduce yourself to them. The more you do it the more comfortable you will be when it comes time to introduce yourself to that #1 employer you came to meet.
When you get to the employers table, be aware that some of the people who are there to speak with you can be owners, hiring managers, or even staff. All of these people may be asking you questions, but you can also ask them questions about the work environment, skills and training needed, etc.
When you meet a prospective employer, start by introducing yourself. Employers would really like to know who you are and are happy to see you there. It is an opportunity to make a positive impression. A simple introduction is all that is necessary at this point. For example,
“Hi, my name is _____, I am happy to meet you today, I am interested in your company/business/organization!”
It is common to offer a handshake during introductions.
You should have done some research about the company beforehand and have a good idea of what type of position you would be interested in. A good next step would be to give them a little more detail about what type of work you are looking for and what value you would bring to their company. Here is an example: “I am very interested in spending the summer working in a busy hotel where I will have an opportunity to meet people and make sure they have a positive experience while there are visiting our beautiful community. I have taken some hospitality related courses and certifications and am excited to get to work using what I learned.”
Remember to listen carefully to their questions. Spend some time beforehand reviewing typical interview questions and practicing your answers. Enthusiasm and a confident, positive attitude are the key tools at an interview. Know what they need to know about and when you have the interview make sure that you get those points across. Provide short, positive answers to the questions and add a selling point whenever you can. Always be truthful and answer questions to expose your accomplishments.
You did homework on the employers, so make sure that you thought of a couple of questions to ask them based on the research. Not something that you could have easily found out by doing a little research.
When you are finished talking to the employer, let them know you would like to follow up with them and what would be the best way to keep in touch – get their contact information. Send a thank you note/card/email to those who interviewed you or whomever you had a good conversation with.
If it has been an actual interview they should be telling you what happens next such as when they expect to make their decision. If they don’t tell you, ask. Or you can ask when you follow up.
Take some time to meet some other job seekers at the fair as well. This is another way to enrich your network. Keep in touch with any contacts you have made.
Even if the company doesn’t have a position for you, there could be other openings and opportunities in the future. Show that you are interested and contact them once a month.
Be sure to take some time during the day for yourself, it can become overwhelming. Step outside for some fresh air, have some snacks and drinks with you to replenish your energy, be sure to take some deep breaths. Try to have fun!
