With the Fall Career Fair beginning at 10 a.m. today in the Baker Ballroom, recruiters from more than 130 companies will be waiting to meet students, and a good first impression can mean the difference between a job offer or a write off
Here are some tips to present a professional and polished image to potential employers.
Preparation
Employers equate attention to detail in personal appearance and preparation with the way a student is likely to function in a job setting, said Career Services graduate assistant Lauren Bolland, in a seminar on career fair etiquette.
Students need to research the company and position before talking to recruiters and be prepared to articulate the assets they can bring to the company instead of what they hope to gain from it, Bolland said.
Recruiters notice when students give vague, indecisive descriptions of the type of position they are seeking, said Amanda Thompson, a corporate recruiter who will represent the Equity Trust Company today.
You need to come to me with a game plan
she said.
Dress
Students should dress as they would for a formal interview, Bolland said. Appropriate dress for men is a dark suit and socks, polished dress shoes and a toned-down tie, she said.
Women should wear a neutral or dark-colored suit, and if a skirt is worn panty-hose are necessary, Bolland said. It is important not to over-do hair or makeup, and both men and women should keep cologne and perfume to a minimum, she said.
Recruiters understand that some students do not own suits, Thompson said, so it is acceptable to wear formal pants with a button down dress shirt instead.
But definitely make sure you look professional Thompson said.
Low-cut or tight shirts on women do not present a businesslike image to recruiters, Thompson said, and they should not wear shoes with open toes or heels.
Confidence
Recruiters understand that students are nervous in the career fair setting, but it is crucial that students demonstrate strong communication skills, said Lindsay Pearson, a recruiter for C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.
If a student avoids eye contact or does not seem enthused about a position, it shows they might not be comfortable in a customer service setting, Pearson said.
Having confidence is a big thing.
One of the biggest turnoffs to a recruiter is a student who exhibits low confidence, Thompson said. Students should have a firm handshake, maintain eye contact and enthusiastically explain why they would be a good fit for a particular position, she said.
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Meghan McNamara
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