It can be overwhelming to know how to make the most of attending. Following up with employers is a special skill, and can be intimidating for many. To ease the uncertainty, here are some tips to ensure you’re getting the most from the connections you’ve made.
Focus on what matters
Not all employers you meet will end up being contacts you need to use right away. Make sure you spend some time prioritizing contacts while they’re still fresh in your mind. Based on the conversations you’ve had, think about which employers and companies you match with best. Prioritize the ones that have opportunities that relate to your experience and skills.
Do personalized follow ups
You can stand out to employers by reaching out. To maintain ties with them, remind them of the situation in which you met, mention a few main points from your conversation and then pivot towards what your future plans are. This is also a great opportunity to politely request to meet with them for a more in-depth discussion.
Make changes to your self-promotion channels
Based on your conversations with employers, see if there are ways to update your resumé or LinkedIn to better align with current employer needs. Updating and ensuring these channels are as effective as possible will help you share your most recent experience and help you better position yourself.
Build a portfolio
Portfolios are a great opportunity to spotlight your experience. Sections can highlight career goals, skills, awards, transcripts, letters of recommendations, extracurriculars and projects. You can create a general portfolio or prepare one for a particular employer. Either way, use content that matches your experience to your career goals.
Prepare for interviews
Have you reached out to employers? Have they invited you to an interview? Let’s review best practices.
Always make sure you’re well informed about the job description and company. Take time to think of which of your skills you can connect to the job description. Consider how you can communicate your experience.
Be ready for the classic “Tell me a time when you…” questions by using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to frame your answers. Follow that up with some well-thought-out questions and you’ll stand out to employers.
Finally, practice makes perfect. Rehearse questions so that you can have calm, complete responses.
We hope this has given you some insights into the key strategies you can adopt after a job fair. Implementing these practices will ensure that you reap the most benefits from your experience.
If you'd like additional support at any stage of this process, the Career Corner is available to help. Whether you need guidance on followingup, resumé, LinkedIn or interview preparation, or just general career advice, our team is here to support you.