How To Stand Out At a Job Fair

The 2015 COMC Career Fair is this week, and many students are asking, “How do I stand out among others at a career fair?”

Cameron Skoczlas, career counselor in the College of Media & Communication, said it is not as hard as it seems.

“Ask questions, but not just about the opportunities that a company or business has,” Skoczlas said. “Ask the representatives about what they do with the company. Ask them about the type of people they look for. Ask what they like most about working for that company.”

For those who have never been to a job fair — and even for those who have — they can be nerve-racking. You have to muster the courage to face the crowd, approach potential employers and rave about yourself.

The key is to be interested in what they have to say, Skoczlas said.

“Engage with these individuals,” she said. “Show genuine interest, and see where the conversation takes you. And remember, even if you don’t see yourself working there, practice professional communications with the business representative you encounter. You never know what could happen!”

The U.S. News and World Report advises job seekers to able to explain what they do or want to do in 20 seconds.

The publication offers this example: “Hi, I’m Michelle Smith. I’m looking for design work at a nonprofit, and I read on your website that you have a position open that combines design and online marketing, which is exactly what I specialize in. I’m very interested in learning more about what you’re looking for.”

Before the job or career fair, practice this statement, so it sounds natural even when you are nervous. Avoid sounding like a robot, but make sure you can say your spiel without stuttering and awkward “um” or “uh” pauses.

“Plenty of people believe job fairs are obsolete, a thing of the past — but experts say they’re not dead, and they’re certainly not useless,” suggests an article in Business Insider.

Even if you are interested in a company, job fairs are also a good way to network. And networking can be a chain reaction: meeting someone who works at one place may lead to meeting someone who works at your dream job.

The Business Insider article also advises being prepared to answer questions about yourself because many employers open the conversation with, “Tell me about yourself.”

During this time, it is important to be concise. Recruiters see many faces in a short time, so make the best impression before they are onto the next person.

Added Skoczlas: “Be yourself and be patient. Show interest and be polite. Listen and ask questions. Shake hands and show confidence. Smile and breathe. Stand up straight. Stay curious. You got this.”

To see the list of companies represented at this week’s job fair, visit the COMC website.