3 Tips to Maximize Success at the Upcoming Career Fair
Free time is hard to come by here at VMI, so utilize these suggestions to ensure your time at the 2018 VMI Career Fair enhances your future.
Prepare Ahead of Time
In order to increase your credibility and ensure you visit the right employers, conduct research ahead of time. The list of employers planning to attend the Career Fair was emailed to the Corps, with 47 companies in attendance be sure you visit the ones that interest you most. Log-In to Career Shift, Keydet Connect and the company’s website to find out who they are, what they do, where they are located, and who they are most likely to hire. Knowing background information when you speak with the company will help you know what to ask and let the company know you are truly interested in them and took the time to find out about them.
Be Open Minded
Avoiding a company just because you may think they are only hiring “Engineering Majors” is a guaranteed way to not get a job, the truth is that all large companies require graduates in all majors to operate in the business world. If you see company representatives standing alone, approach them and start a conversation. Be open to talk about ways that people in your major have a place in their company. Your initiative could be the reason you are afforded an opportunity other are not.
Each year, many proud VMI alumni request to represent their company at our fair in order to have a chance to meet current cadets and bring the newest batch of VMI graduates into their company. Many welcome the opportunity to meet you and build a relationship with you, and the fair is a great way to start and continue networking relationships. Cadets are encouraged to exchange names and contact information with company representatives, networking is often the most important component of a Career Fair.
The Career Fair is not a Job Fair, and jobs are not something easily handed out. Approach employers with the mindset to just learn about their company and allow them to learn about you. If they offer you an interview, that is great, but do not expect all employers to do so. The connection you make now, while no jobs are available may be the reason they extend you an offer in 6-weeks when a position comes open.
Presentation is Key
Whether you realize it or not, the public is always observing how cadets carry themselves, employer representatives are no different. If they watch you do something immature on the way to the fair, and then you approach them wanting to make a connection, their opinion of you is already formed because of your previous actions. Remember to be on your best behavior the in and around the fair, wear a clean and carefully crafted uniform, use your manners and respect the representatives.