What to Say to Employers at the Job & Internship Fair

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!

By Isabella Ventura
Isabella Ventura Career Peer Advisor