Going to a job fair can often seem like the first day at school. When you arrive on-site, you’ll have to initiate conversations, ask people questions to know them better, and talk about what you want to do in the future.
The more job fairs you go to, the more you’ll realise that the same process happens over and over again. But then there comes a point where you ask yourself one question: “Why am I not getting good offers even after going to so many job fairs?”
Well, the answer you’re looking for lies in the fact that you’re probably introducing yourself wrong!
Why Introducing Yourself Makes a Difference
Regardless of where you are in your career or what you do, the need to properly introduce yourself is one skill you’ll need to hone continuously, especially when applying for jobs.
You see, your introductions play a key role in setting the path for your career because it gives you the opportunity to make a good first impression that will make you stand out from crowds of applicants. Although you may not necessarily be comfortable with putting yourself out there or going the extra mile for people you don’t know well, dedicating time to honing the way you introduce yourself makes a difference.
How to Introduce Yourself at a Job Fair in the Best Way Possible
Considering that the way you introduce yourself to a potential employer can make or break your chances of landing a dream job, you’re most likely wondering about what you can do to get things done right the first time. To help you build the best rapport within the first few minutes of talking to a hiring manager or point person at a job fair, here are some proven tips to follow:
Tip #1: Bring the Right Things
Although introductions mainly involve verbal interactions, there’s much more that you can do to leave a good mark aside from talking, listening, and reacting properly. This is because you can also impress by bringing the right items to give.
When we talk about bringing the right things for making good introductions, we’re referring to vital documents that can back up your capabilities—such as business cards, resumes, and portfolios. By elevating your introductions with the cards and pages you can present, you’ll be able to impress any point person and place yourself on a priority list ASAP!
Tip #2: Practice, Practice, Practice
The mark of a great introduction is always outlined with the presence of cultivated confidence, and this is gained from regular practice.
If you want to practice your introductions the right way, you should start speaking in front of a mirror to know what you have to improve and search for videos and resources you can learn from. Additionally, you can take your introduction preparation to the next level by having answers for these questions stored in your mind and ready to be recited:
Tip #3: Come Prepared with Questions
Introducing yourself—although important—can be quite quick and drive you right to the deeper stages of talking before you even realise it. After you move past the introduction portion, you’ll most likely be asked all sorts of questions by a potential employer, point person, or assigned interviewer that you’ll need to answer smoothly. But did you know that coming prepared with your own set of questions to ask can help you close the deal much better than simply answering and hoping for the best?
When you start to ask questions, you not only find out about crucial details that will allow you to know a job listing more, but you’ll also be able to introduce yourself as someone who goes the extra mile. It may not seem like much at first, but having your own set of inquiries whenever you talk to anyone at The UK Careers Fair’s events will go a long way in making yourself seem like a more desirable candidate!
Conclusion
While there are many different tools to make your mark during a job fair to ensure that you have the best chances of landing your dream opening, the art of introducing oneself shouldn’t go unnoticed. Once you get the hang of presenting yourself in the best way possible and making the right first impression, you can easily open gateways to more opportunities in no time!
The UK Careers Fair is the leading provider of recruitment events, job fairs, and career fairs in the United Kingdom. If you’re looking for the next opportunity to further your career path with tremendous openings, keep an eye out for our upcoming events!