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Career Tip: Networking at a Career Day

With Career Day fast approaching, I thought it fitting to discuss how to make the most of your Career Day time.  In this edition of the newsletter, we will discuss how to network at a career day! 

1.  NetWORKing – Before we discuss how to do it, we need to have an understanding of what it is.  According to Fisher & Vilas, networking can be defined as “making links from people we know to people they know, in an organized way, for a specific purpose, while remaining committed to doing our part, expecting nothing in return.”  Basically, it is getting to know people who are decision makers.  If the statistic that the National Association of Colleges and Employers released was true, a referral generates 80% more results than a cold call.  Knowing someone who knows someone who knows someone is a great way to get your foot in the door.  A career day is a great place to meet those people.  For more information about networking, visit /pages/2694.asp.

2.  Ca – reer day (n.)  -  Just because “career day” isn’t found in Webster’s Dictionary doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have a definition.  An employer looks at a career day as an event where they can meet a large number of qualified, potential candidates.  A job seeker might look at it as an event where they can go develop some relationships that will lead to getting a job. It is important to note that VERY few people actually leave Wyatt Gym with a job!  Career day is an opportunity for you to do some networking to assist you in getting that great job.

3.  Before the Big Day! – To get the most out of career day, you need to do a little planning.  First, check out the career day website to see who is planning to attend.  (Visit http://careerservices.deltastate.edu)  Make a list of the companies that you really want to see.  Also, an up-to-date resume is as much a necessity as hot wings are at a super bowl party!  Spend some time updating this document or attend a resume writing workshop (see /pages/2756.asp for a list of workshop dates).  Make sure that you have picked out what you are going to wear and everything is cleaned, pressed, and polished.  Not sure what to wear to a career day???  Turn on the news and see what George Bush or Hillary Clinton is wearing.  Get a good nights sleep the night before so that you are fresh for the day.  Finally, you will need to create your one-minute introductory spill to give employers when you walk up to their booths.  For example…”Good morning!  My name is Jason Umfress and I am a senior marketing major.  I am very interested in working for your company.  What positions do you have available for someone with my background?”  Short…simple…to the point!!

4.  Let’s get ready to RRRUUUMMMBBBLLLEEE!!!!  – When you check-in at the event, you will be given a color-coded nametag according to your classification.  Write your name and major nice and big and wear the sticker high on your right shoulder.  When you enter the event, the place will be noisy and a bit overwhelming.  Take a minute to check your nerves…SMILE…then…get ready to rumble!!!  Go in meaning business.  Seek out the employers from the list you made earlier and attempt to establish rapport with them.  Be ready to shake the recruiter’s hand, look them in the eye, and introduce your self.  They will more than likely ask for a copy of your resume, so keep those handy.  As you chat with the recruiter, try to stay focused on them.  As I mentioned, the room can get quite noisy and you may see your best friend walk in the door and think of something that you forgot to tell them…stay focused!!  You should be prepared to ask employers GOOD questions, too.  Do a little homework to make sure you know enough to ask intelligent questions.  Before you leave the booth, ask the recruiter for a business card.  This info will come in very handy when you sit down to write thank you notes.  Finally, if you talk to a recruiter, feel free to help yourself with a “freebie” or 2…but don’t be greedy!  Hopping from booth to booth to see how many free pens, note pads, or stress balls you can collect is not cool…we have a term for people like that…TABLE RAPERS!!

5.  After the Career Fair – Hopefully, you made lots of good contacts and collected lots of business cards.  After you leave the event, take some time to jot some info about what you talked about with that person on the back of their business card.  Be sure to include any personal information that might have come out in the conversation.  Also, take the time to sit down and write thank you notes to the recruiters that you were really interested in.  Most of you know my philosophy on thank you notes…handwritten, on personalized stationary, sent within 24-hours of the event.  Once upon a time, only the most thoughtful jobseekers sent thank you notes…now…the secret is out!! Everyone sends them, so you should too!!  Reiterate your interest in the position, thank them for their time, and tell them that you look forward to hearing from them again soon.  If you can fit some personal touch in there, that’s icing on the cake!  (i.e. if they mentioned they were a big Indianapolis fan, you might close your note with “GO COLTS!” ).   

Career event season is here!  Our general Career Day will be held Tuesday, February 20 from 12-3 in Wyatt Gym.  Health Care Day will be held February 28 on 2^nd floor Union from 12-3.  Teacher Recruitment Day is scheduled for Thursday, March 8 from 9 – noon on the 2^nd floor Union.  Don’t miss this AWESOME job hunting opportunity!  For more information about networking or Career Days, stop by the Career Center.

 

Source: Jason Umfress, 2006