The Career Fair is Over, Now What?
The fat lady has sung you now have twenty less resumes than you did when you walked in the door and a card holder full of potential business relationships. So now what? Here are a few quick tips to get you started.
- Make a recap journal
Description: Recap journal has each company (either alphabetical or by order of interest), their business card, persons you spoke with, positions and/or possibilities discussed, and t least one thing that stuck out about the company (good or bad).
Purpose: This will help you to identify the companies you spoke with, prioritize which ones you are more eager to pursue, and identify any questions you may have
Benefit: You know who you are speaking to and you can now add a personal touch to each resume and/or follow up response. There is nothing worse than calling a candidate and them saying “I applied for so many positions, which company are you?” Although it may be an honest response it doesn’t tell this company you want a career with them and you are equally enthused and share their company goals or values; it tells them you just need a quick dollar.
- Follow Up Note Cards
Description: A card no more than three sentences long, remind the employer of who you are, thank them for their time, re-iterate your interest, and leave the door open for future conversation
Purpose: This will demonstrate your aggressiveness, enthusiasm, and separate you from the rest of the pack
Benefit: You will find out subconsciously which company really fits your inertest because it will be hard to conduce your note to three sentences, it will help you to build a network, and also to brand yourself as a future employee
- Social Building
Description: Building a social network. Research to find groups or affiliates of the company of your interest and reach out via social network face book, twitter, linked in,
Purpose: This will give you an opportunity to possibly show how your different interest and culture can contribute to the diversity within the organization.
Benefit: You may build a company reference, gain more insights to the company, and/or set up informational or formal interviews.
So now you have cast out, now you just have to wait for your fish to bite. But don’t just twiddle your thumbs while you wait, check out more helpful articles on Onyx Newsletter Real Talk: Career Section.
Remember, knowledge is power. So empower yourself, seek the wisdom: A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding Proverbs 14:6 (NLT).
© 2011 Tiffani Chase
