college guide 2016-17 Sept. 2016 | Page 130

Prepare for Career Fairs & Interviews
Some entry-level recruiters’
top tips to help you make a
great in-person impression
Before a Networking Event/Career
Fair/Formal Job or Interview

▶ Practice introducing yourself in a
concise and confident way.

▶ Plan a neat and appropriate outfit to wear. If

you’re unsure of the dress code, it’s okay to
contact the organization or your university
career center to ask.
▶ Review your resume thoroughly—you never
know what information a recruiter might
ask you to discuss.
▶ Spend at least 30 to 60 minutes
researching the organization
whose event or interview you
are attending so you can show
why your skill set is a good
fit. Review the organization’s
website to learn about its mission, lines of business, culture
and entry-level positions. Do a
general web search to review any
recent news about the organization and the overall industry in
which it operates. Ask members
of your career center staff to tell
you more about the organization
and its history with your university.
▶ Prepare at least three questions to ask.
When a recruiter says, “What questions do
you have?” you want to be prepared. The
best questions show that you’ve done your
homework on the organization and that
you are genuinely interested in learning
more. For instance, “I read that the company just implemented a new green initiative
and I’m really interested in environmentalism. Can you tell me more about that?”

*Excerpted from PwC Personal Brand Experience at pwc.com/campus
© 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. “PwC” refers
to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (a Delaware limited liability partnership), which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International
Limited, each member firm of which is a separate legal entity. We are
proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

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During a Networking Event/
Career Fair/Formal Job or
Internship Interview

▶ Turn off your cell phone or switch it to vi-

brate and put it away for the entire duration
of the event.
▶ When you meet a recruiter or company
representative, shake his or her hand confidently and make direct eye contact.
▶ Remember to listen as much (if not more)
than you talk. Yes, you are promoting
yourself, but you don’t want to dominate
the entire conversation.
▶ Request a business card from the recruiter or
any professional contacts you meet so you
can follow up after the event.

After a Networking Event/Career Fair/
Formal Job or Internship Interview

▶ After a formal job interview, send a thank
you note or email within 12 to 24 hours.
This is a great idea after a recruiting event
or other networking meeting as well (For
example: “Thank you for taking the time
to chat with me at your event” or “Thank
you for the advice you provided on how
to improve my resume.”).
▶ Mark any additional follow-up or deadlines
in your calendar (e.g., RSVP to another
event a recruiter mentioned).
▶ Assess your performance at the event
or interview. What did you do well?
Is there anything you would do differently next time? Events are not
just networking opportunities; they
are learning opportunities as well. ◆

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