Struggling to find the right words when talking to employers? Nervous about what to say to a recruiter at BSU’s Job and Internship Fair on April 4th? Explore these valuable suggestions and insights for preparing your conversation with employers at job fairs.
Develop an Elevator Speech:
What is an elevator speech? Why is it useful?
- An elevator speech or pitch entails a brief introduction about yourself and the types of positions you are interested in.Usually, an elevator pitch ranges from 30 to 60 seconds long.
- This speech can be useful by giving you the confidence to approach the organization’s table without experiencing anxiety or nervousness.
- Some potential questions to ask yourself when creating your elevator speech can be:
- Who am I?
- What can I offer?
- What career(s) am I interested in?
- What are my skill sets and abilities?
Here is an example of a elevator pitch to potential employers:
“Hi, I am Devon Brown. I am a management major here at Bridgewater State University and will be graduating next month. Currently, I am employed as a shift leader at McDonald’s managing 6 people during my shift and working 30 hours a week while attending school full-time. In addition, this past fall, I interned in the customer service division of Ocean Spray providing online support to customers and learning supervisory skills. I am interested in building a career as a manager in the corporate world or in government.”
How to Handle Questions about Your Skills and Qualifications:
- Interactions with recruiters will most likely be brief, so being prepared to answer questions is important. In advance, think of key skills and strengths you could bring to the conversations.
- Provide a well formed response with great examples, and don’t forget to keep it short!
- Come with questions to ask the recruiters. Use the information from what you heard from the recruiter or researched before attending the fair. Some examples can include…
- Can you describe some of the day-by-day responsibilities?
- What skills and qualifications are you looking for in a candidate?
- What positions are open at the moment? Part-time? Full-time?
Check out this video on some questions to ask employers: https://youtu.be/gjnNzxOXco8
Leave a memorable impression:
- Let the employer know you are interested in their company and make sure to ask about the next steps before you leave.
- Thank the person you are talking to and express appreciation for their time
- It is important to ask for a business card or contact information, so you can follow up with them within a few days of the job fair.
By following these suggestions, you will hopefully experience reduced stress and fewer worries as you approach a table at the upcoming job fair!