“So what have you got?”
That’s what a job candidate asked a potential employer at a recent job fair. The employer answered with the qualifications he was looking for, and the job candidate asked if he could leave his resume. The resume was given in exchange for the company’s marketing items: a pen and some mints.
The question “so what have you got?” is significant because it was the only statement the hiring decision-maker mentioned when describing this job candidate. This was what the employer remembered most about the job seeker — not the resume, not their determination to work hard, not their interest in the job — just that question.
When you are conducting a job search, especially when you attend job fairs or events where hiring decision makers are present, the most important thing to remember is how you interact with people. You literally have a matter of seconds to make a good impression and your introduction counts!
Your resume could win a trophy but you could lose your audience by the way you approach them. An effective job search is supported by good communication skills — verbal and written.
Before you attend a job fair keep these tips in mind:
1. Whether you will be attending a job fair or a ball game, you need to practice how to introduce yourself.
2. Decide what you would like the employer to know about you in addition to your interest in working for them. What could you do for them that would bring value?
3. Most job searching begins with developing rapport . If you want to develop a good conversation, ask questions that demonstrate your genuine interest in their situation.
4. Research will pay off in the long run by helping you develop an understanding of the services or products offered by a company. You can use that knowledge to keep the conversation moving forward and reinforce the impression you are serious about your search.
5. Focus on making a good impression with the employer by researching positions posted on the company Web site. The positions listed could give you an idea of the direction to take the conversation.
6. Keep in mind the reason you are attending a job fair — hopefully to be considered a serious job candidate. Be careful not to give the impression you’re more interested in the employer’s giveaway items than you are in working for them.
Make the most of your time by preparing and understanding the significance of making a good first impression. Who knows? You might meet your new employer while walking around the job fair.
