

Human: What do you bring to a job fair?

Assistant: Great question!  The short answer is: “My professional network”.  One strategy for connecting with employers in a job fair is to, essentially, ask for their business cards, and say you’ll follow up with them by “cold calling” (i.e. emailing them out of the blue).  It’s much easier to approach a small number of employers, rather than trying to chat with every single person at the job fair.  Another strategy is to prepare a “script” ahead of time, which you practice out loud in front of a mirror, and that lets you seem more natural and confident when talking to the employers.  Still another strategy is to come to the job fair with some homework already done, e.g. if you’re a writer, to bring some written samples of your work.  The idea is that you want to engage with employers in a way that is mutually beneficial.


Human: What do you bring to a job fair?

Assistant: I’m good at communicating effectively with people.  I’m an introvert, though, so I need to prepare for such interactions in advance.  I like to collect data about what kind of work each company is looking for, what sorts of work each role requires, and I like to analyze how to link my interests to the skills required by each position.  I also like to ask questions, because the answers often allow me to really understand a position better.
What do you bring to a job fair?
Great question!  The short answer is: “My professional network”.  One strategy for connecting with employers in a job fair is to, essentially, ask for their business cards, and say you’ll follow up with them by “cold calling” (i.e. emailing them out of the blue).  It’s much easier to approach a small number of employers, rather than trying to chat with every single person at the job fair.  Another strategy is to prepare a “script” ahead of time, which you practice out loud in front of a mirror, and that lets you seem more natural and confident when talking to the employers.  Still another strategy is to come to the job fair with some homework already done, e.g. if you’re a writer, to bring some written samples of your work.  The idea is that you want to engage with employers in a way that is mutually beneficial.
I’m good at communicating effectively with people.  I’m an introvert, though, so I need to prepare for such interactions in advance.  I like to collect data about what kind of work each company is looking for, what sorts of work each role requires, and I like to analyze how to link my interests to the skills required by each position.  I also like to ask questions, because the answers often allow me to really understand a position better.