(Editor's note: This is the second in a two-part series on preparing for job fairs. Fort Rucker will host its job fair July 15.)
FORT RUCKER, Ala. (July 13, 2015) -- Job fairs traditionally come in all sizes and flavors -- from the small half-day employer days to student career fairs at local high schools to full-blown, multi-day community job fairs that offer breakout sessions on a variety of employment-related topics for interested attendees.
In last week's article, I wrote about researching companies you want to work for, bringing multiple copies of your resume to the job fair, and the importance of having and practicing your personal pitch to prospective employers.
Here are some more things to think about while preparing for the upcoming 12th annual Fort Rucker Area Job hosted by Fort Rucker Soldier for Life Transition Assistance Center and Army Community Service.
Dress for success
This strategy should go without saying, but I have to bring it up. I have personally observed job fair attendees arriving in tank tops -- showing off their colorful and message-infused tattoos -- cut-off shorts and sandals. I've seen other examples of revealing clothing on men and women alike.
These folks probably did not get the memo that job fairs give the company reps the opportunity to meet, greet and evaluate candidates for their positions. So, with that being said, I challenge you to ask yourself a couple of questions: Would I hire me if I came dressed for an interview in Saturday-casual attire? Am I trying to draw attention to my appearance, or am I trying to impress the representatives with my skills -- with what I can bring to their companies?
Wearing jeans, T-shirts, muscle shirts, or ill-fitting or bad-looking clothing, wearing pink sunglasses to match your Capris that have a large embroidered pink flower on the leg, wearing excessive perfume, or smelling like you've smoked a pack of cigarettes before your arrival -- habits that send potentially negative signals to prospective employers at the job fair.
Besides, many people are allergic to perfumes and no one likes the smell of stale cigarette smoke. As far as dress is concerned, it's always wise to show up at any employment event wearing a conservative business suit -- either blue or gray -- that communicates success and seriousness on your part. Treat the event as if you were going to an interview.
Other considerations
We live in a day and age where personal contact is almost frowned upon in social settings. We have virtual friends on Facebook. We would rather leave a voicemail message on someone's line than actually talk with that person. Texting, even fraught with grammar errors to the max, has replaced the face-to-face meeting in many instances, even when the person who receives the text message is sitting next to you.
Before you classify me as an anti-tech old fogey, hear me out on this. The rise of technology has also given rise to atrophied interpersonal skills -- skills that are vital to your successful job hunt strategies, especially where job fair events are concerned.
So, here are some other considerations you need to keep in mind -- and practice -- before the date of the job fair rolls around.
Be direct and enthusiastic when you meet company representatives. Introduce yourself, including your name and career interests. Remember to use good eye contact and a firm handshake with these reps. Much about who you are is communicated through subtle body language.
Avoid poor communication habits. Ditch the chewing gum. Control your rocking and fidgeting in the presence of the company rep, as a matter of fact, do not exhibit any nervous habit that may distract the rep from hearing you -- jangling car keys or loose change, using inane filler words like "Um," "and," and "uh," and remember to never use profanity when speaking to the reps.
Always ask pertinent questions of the reps, such as where they believe their firms are headed long-range. Never ask any questions concerning salaries and benefits -- you haven't earned the right to ask those questions until you are given an employment offer.
Ask the company representative for the next steps in the recruitment process. Try to obtain the representative's business card and hand write a personal thank you note as soon as you get home. Do not email, type or text these thank you notes. A handwritten note of thanks is rare in our modern tech-ridden culture, and I'm of the opinion that it's the rare things that set people apart from others insofar as the job hunt is concerned.
You've probably heard it said, "We never plan to fail, we just fail to plan." Allow me to give you a target to shoot for, to plan for in earnest. The Fort Rucker Area Job Fair is slated for July 15th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Enterprise High School Gymnasiums.
Details about the event's vendors are available from the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce. Call Lisa Fenner, president of the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, at 334-347-0581 (work) or 334-806-6607 (cell) for other event details. You can also contact Bryan Tharpe, director of the Fort Rucker Soldier for Life Center, 255-2558, or me at 255-2594.
Use the job fair preparation techniques I've outlined and, as always, happy job hunting!
Related Links:
USAACE and Fort Rucker on Twitter
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