Page 29 - Carlson School GBCC Career Guide

Career Fairs and Conferences (continued) 5 WHAT NOT TO ASK
at career fairs:
• Do you hire international students?
• What is the salary for this position?
• What does your company do?
• What types of positions are you trying to fill?
• Questions that are not relevant to your goals.
• The wrong questions for the person with whom you are
speaking (e.g., don’t ask an HR representative about the specifics of finance).
• Anything that you could learn by looking at a company’s website or learn in advance.
NETWORKING
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FOLLOW UP
Take the time to follow up after the career fair with anyone
you met. Write a sincere thank you note (either handwritten or through a formal email). Acknowledging what was discussed and what you learned will help your contacts remember you. Always do what you agreed to, whether that is sending your resume
or applying through the company website. Your follow-up is an opportunity for you to demonstrate good judgment and impress your new contacts with your professionalism.
“ Before a career fair, have your “elevator speech” ready! Practice in the mirror or with a friend or advisor beforehand—be sure it’s going to come across the
way you imagine it. Be prepared to articulate what interests you about each company on your list and how you can be an asset to them. Give them a reason to remember you.”
– Ben Johnson, Recruiting Manager, General Mills
SMALL TALK TOPICS
During almost any conversation, you will start or find
an opportunity to engage without discussing actual career details. Become comfortable talking about a variety
of neutral topics so that you can engage a contact (or interviewer) before you dig in to the details.
Topics include:
• Weather
• Sports
• Seasonal events: change of seasons, daylight savings time, non-religious and non-cultural holidays
• Non-controversial current events
• The city you are in
• Restaurants
• Books: always be prepared to share the last book you read and something interesting about it
• Subject of interest to the other person
ADDITIONAL TIP
Consider volunteering for a conference. You may be able to help with registration or set-up. This can provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your work ethic and get to know additional contacts. It may also result in a reduced or waived conference cost and early access to company representatives.
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Carlson School of Management