Our tips for selling your abilities to employers...

 

 

Before...

 

Print your Resume. After someone you trust with your future has proofed the document for you, print several copies of your resume on high-quality paper. Once the event is over, this is your personal advertisement – and the only connection between you and the employer.

 

Dress Appropriately. If you seek part-time warehouse work, go high-end business casual. If you seek a professional position, wear old-school business attire. Wear dress shoes and socks. This is your chance to make a professional impression, so wherever possible cover body piercings, tattoos and midriffs. The more conservative you approach your dress and style, the better your first impression.

 

Do your Homework. Showcase Career Expos posts a list of exhibitors for each event. Review the list and follow the links to the companies' websites. Is this company, their culture, and the open positions a fit for you? Save time by creating a 'Top 10 Company' list of your own and plan to meet the recruiters from those companies first. To show the recruiters you've done your research, develop a set of at least two questions you'd like to ask each company on your list.

 

Develop your “Elevator Pitch”. Your pitch should be no longer than 30 seconds and should contain a summary of why you would be a great hire. Leave out personal information; at this point the recruiter is screening your employment skills, personal appearance, and confidence level only. Practice your Elevator Pitch on someone capable of providing honest, objective feedback on the words chosen, cadence, your posture – everything.

 

...During...

 

Relax. Your children are in capable hands, you've arrived early, and the cell phone has been appropriately left in the car (or is at least turned off). Walk the venue. Get familiar with the environment. Which companies do you want to meet first? Where are they located? Review your 'Top 10' list and execute your plan in a relaxed, confident manner.

 

Remain Positive. Anticipate parking problems, interuptions, long lines, and occasional less-than-stellar meetings with recruiters. Once you expect these negatives, it is much easier to work through them and maintain a positve attitude.

 

Establish Goals. For each employer you meet, take a quiet moment to establish your goal for that meeting. Tip: handing a recruiter one of 1,000 resumes she'll get that day should not be considered your end goal. Spend no more than three minutes with a more assertive recruiter standing in front of their booth. Spend no more than two minutes with a more introverted employer sitting behind their table. Any more time may be perceived as a waste of their time – and yours.

 

and After the Expo...

 

Learn from your Efforts. Before you go home take time to reflect on your personal performance throughout the day. You've just had 10, 20, maybe 30 mini-interviews in one day. What did you do well? What can you improve?

 

Finish your Research. Even with those companies where your first impression of them was not a “10", a short review may reveal a surprise or two. Decide which companies really caught your eye. Be objective, but don't settle. Just as employers do at the Expo, trust your research and gut instincts when making decisions.

 

Targeted Follow-up. Sincerely interested in moving to the next step in the hiring process? Proactively follow-up within two business days with a personal letter. Yes, a letter – with a stamp and everything. Not an email; and not a phone call. Recruiters are just too busy and a well-presented letter will leave the perfect impression.