How To Distinguish Yourself In A Newhouse Career Fair
September 22, a big day for all Syracuse University students. The Newhouse Communication Career Fair 2017 is coming! It is a targeted event for students interested in the field of communications. More than 40 companies around the country that attend are looking to tap into great talent in the fields of advertising, marketing, sales, broadcast, public relations, graphics, photography, television/film production, research, newspaper/magazine, online content creation, event planning, and more.
If you are going to graduate in December, this is the place you MUST go! If you are new here, don’t be shy! Attending the fair to take a look around, get a feel for what companies are seeking, and practice your elevator pitch is fine, too.
Don’t know how to prepare for it? Feeling a little bit nervous now? Before sending you to the “war”, I will give you some “secret” weapons:
- Bring a well-designed resume
The resume is a powerful tool which connects you with the employers. It usually divides into four sections: Experience, Education, Skills and Honors. No matter how awesome you are, please keep the resume on one page. And never, ever use any template! Recruiters will receive hundreds of resumes that day, the last thing you want to do is make them bored. So, why not design a special name wordmark and choose a different font (instead of Arial or Times New Roman) for your resume? And try to think about which personality you want to convey in your resume: creative? professional? or passionate? A well-designed resume can leave a good impression on others and it is the first key to open the door which leads to your future success.
- Research the company
The Career Fair only lasts three hours, so do research about your dream companies and anticipate the employers’ needs. This can definitely improve your job hunting efficiency. First figure out, what does the company do? What services/products do they offer? Next, identify three skills necessary for the position and prepare with examples from your resume that demonstrate them. Moreover, name one industry trend or hot topic that might affect this company. The more research you conduct, the more you’ll understand the employer, and the better you’ll be able to answer interview questions.
- Dress for success
Business attire is required. Remember that it’s always better to be over-dressed than under. For girls, wearing a white shirt or a black dress is smart. Do a little makeup and keep accessories to a minimum. Shoes should be conservative and fairly low-heeled. For boys, you’d be better to wear a suit, avoiding loud colors and flashy ties. Appropriate dress can make employers think you are professional, reliable and responsible. And last but not least, be confident and smile all the time!
- Arrive on time
The Newhouse Communication Career Fair will be held in Schine Student Center – Panasci Lounge from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on September 22, 2017. If you don’t have any class that day, try to arrive early. Give yourself a few extra minutes to visit the rest room, check your outfit, and calm your nerves.
- Follow up
If you get a second-round interview opportunity immediately, congratulations! If not, don’t be disappointed. You still have chances. Writing thank-you emails and/or notes shortly after the interview may not get you a job offer, but it will remind the employers of you and make you stand out among other candidates who didn’t bother to send thank-you notes.
May the force be with you. Good luck everyone.
