Three tips for getting the most out of job fairs
9 October 2012
Read by 1798 persons
It is not always easy to be effective in the crowd of recruiters and candidates. Hence the importance of preparing yourself with full knowledge of the facts.
While job fairs promise employment opportunities, they are also full of pitfalls. 41-year-old Marie knows this well. It's not easy to get even a real interview with recruiters who are rushed by the crowd of applicants. "I always sabotage myself during interviews," explains this holder of a BTS tourism degree. "My CV has a lot of gaps. I have only worked three years in my life, so I always struggle to defend my profile."
Marie has experienced several periods of depression. Today, she feels ready to return to work, but knows she will have to project a better image of herself. "I need to arrive at the fairs less stressed. I want to succeed in taking a step back from my career path."
Job fairs are known for their one-minute interviews, which worry Marie. To get past this first contact, it's best to "make a good first impression quickly," explains Brigitte Février, a trainer at Psychoform, a coaching firm that trains candidates for these fairs. "To know how to quickly highlight your strengths, you need to prepare a clear CV and work on a positive and personal argument. You can practice, rehearse it. The more at ease you are to present yourself in a few sentences, the more the recruiter will want to hear you," she explains.
Speech and Appearance
But while it is often recommended, to highlight your strengths, to first talk about what you are passionate about, you must remain cautious. "It's a mistake to talk at length about an experience, or worse, to launch into anecdotes that have nothing to do with the job, just to prove that you are comfortable speaking," cautions Brigitte Février. "The interviewer may lose interest completely."
In the race for the first impression, attire and attitude are also important. Emilie, who is looking for a job in secretarial work, now knows she needs to make an effort. "The last time I went to a fair," she explains, "I stayed in jeans. I was immediately told that my look wasn't appropriate."
Knowing where you're going
Once the issues of attire and speech are settled, the core problem remains: the companies present at the fair. Throwing your CV into the labyrinth of stands is useless. "Candidates should first target the job postings that match them, and plan their route through the aisles of the fair in advance, using the information available online," emphasizes Brigitte Février. "This also allows them to learn about the companies in advance and be able to provide information about them."
Finally, you must remain focused once the fair is over. "Then, you must follow up with the companies you met, send them cover letters, and prepare for a longer interview," advises Brigitte Février. "Because a successful exchange at the fair often leads to a new interview, this time at the company."
Lexpress.fr
Published October 1, 2012.
Posted online October 9, 2012.
While job fairs promise employment opportunities, they are also full of pitfalls. 41-year-old Marie knows this well. It's not easy to get even a real interview with recruiters who are rushed by the crowd of applicants. "I always sabotage myself during interviews," explains this holder of a BTS tourism degree. "My CV has a lot of gaps. I have only worked three years in my life, so I always struggle to defend my profile."
Marie has experienced several periods of depression. Today, she feels ready to return to work, but knows she will have to project a better image of herself. "I need to arrive at the fairs less stressed. I want to succeed in taking a step back from my career path."
Job fairs are known for their one-minute interviews, which worry Marie. To get past this first contact, it's best to "make a good first impression quickly," explains Brigitte Février, a trainer at Psychoform, a coaching firm that trains candidates for these fairs. "To know how to quickly highlight your strengths, you need to prepare a clear CV and work on a positive and personal argument. You can practice, rehearse it. The more at ease you are to present yourself in a few sentences, the more the recruiter will want to hear you," she explains.
Speech and Appearance
But while it is often recommended, to highlight your strengths, to first talk about what you are passionate about, you must remain cautious. "It's a mistake to talk at length about an experience, or worse, to launch into anecdotes that have nothing to do with the job, just to prove that you are comfortable speaking," cautions Brigitte Février. "The interviewer may lose interest completely."
In the race for the first impression, attire and attitude are also important. Emilie, who is looking for a job in secretarial work, now knows she needs to make an effort. "The last time I went to a fair," she explains, "I stayed in jeans. I was immediately told that my look wasn't appropriate."
Knowing where you're going
Once the issues of attire and speech are settled, the core problem remains: the companies present at the fair. Throwing your CV into the labyrinth of stands is useless. "Candidates should first target the job postings that match them, and plan their route through the aisles of the fair in advance, using the information available online," emphasizes Brigitte Février. "This also allows them to learn about the companies in advance and be able to provide information about them."
Finally, you must remain focused once the fair is over. "Then, you must follow up with the companies you met, send them cover letters, and prepare for a longer interview," advises Brigitte Février. "Because a successful exchange at the fair often leads to a new interview, this time at the company."
Lexpress.fr
Published October 1, 2012.
Posted online October 9, 2012.
