When someone mentions a Career Fair, excitement for new career possibilities or apprehension for preparing to meet employers race through my mind. No matter what age you may be, marketing yourself to possible employers is no easy task! With these 5 Key Tips, you can take steps to feel more confident and comfortable navigating the Wily Network Career Fair on October 19th.  

1. Brainstorm your goals for the Career Fair! Whether you have just started career exploration or you are ready to join the workforce, writing down your objectives will guide you at the fair. Below are a few examples of strong goals you can focus on.
   • I aim to research five companies and think of a couple of questions to ask the respective recruiters. 
   • I can focus on my strengths and experiences to create a short introduction elevator pitch.
   • I will explore companies from 3 different industries and better understand that sector’s work opportunities. 
   • I will ask a friend/classmate/mentor for feedback on my resume, which I will distribute at the career fair.
   • I plan to introduce myself to five recruiters and ask for their follow-up contact information.
2. Research in advance the companies that will be present and narrow down a list of companies that interest you. Hiring managers expect you to come to a job fair with a basic knowledge of their company and its products/services. Knowing the company’s core values and mission statements shows that you are genuinely interested in the company and will impress the recruiter. Powerful questions revolve around core values, office culture, recent internal changes, the impact of pandemic work protocols, and their experience with inclusive initiatives. If you are stuck thinking of questions that can’t be found on their website, Google is a convenient tool for providing industry questions to ask recruiters. Remember, the Career Fair is a convenient place to find out if a company or industry is a good fit for you, so focus questions on what matters most to you.
3. Prepare an updated resume that reflects your strengths, education, recent experience, and leadership experiences. Keep in mind to quantify and show the results you drove in your positions. Many universities have Career Centers or Library Services that will provide feedback on resumes and workshops to improve it. You can also ask a classmate or professor for their help on your resume. Getting a second set of eyes on your work is crucial to communicate your experience to the recruiter. Also, it’s helpful to tailor your resume to the different companies you are interested in; this could be as simple as changing the previous coursework section or adding more points about a relevant job. ​​Overall, recruiters have seen every achievement imaginable, so your resume should be the best reflection of all your hard work.  
4. Depending on your work sector, consider bringing a portfolio of your previous experiences. It can be a physical binder, book, or online portfolio with electronic documents that organize samples of your work. After researching the company and pieces created by employees, you can include work that reflects the company’s culture. This will bring your experience to life and make you stand out as an applicant. 
5. Practice an elevator pitch that you are comfortable introducing yourself with. The introduction should include your educational background, what experience led you to be interested in a specific field, and your future career interests. If you are looking into new industries, consider mentioning how past experiences led you to this interest. This pitch should be straightforward and no more than 30 seconds. Since first impressions are impactful, a thought-out and well-versed pitch will make you memorable and start a personal conversation on future opportunities.

 The Career Fair is a low-pressure opportunity to have a personal conversation with recruiters who know their industry positions best. Being your authentic self and highlighting your strengths will help you explore fitting opportunities. After going through these five tips to prepare, you will feel five steps closer to making the most out of the Career Fair. 

On September 20th, 2020 I will be moderating an online discussion, Early Obstacles and Later Success, with Triston Francis, hosted by the Wily Network. 

I initially connected with Triston at a Wily event with Harvard Business School, Professionally Telling Your Story at HBS, and recently reached out to Triston after hearing his MASA seminar. I wanted to hear his thoughts on how early adversity has led to his success, as well as gain advice and insights on how he managed early adversity and a demanding educational program.

A first-generation college student who grew up in an underserved community, Triston did not have a lot of access to educational opportunities or guidance. He didn’t think education could help him out of his situation, but a lucky opportunity to go to boarding school changed his life. Over time, Triston received the coaching and support he needed to believe in himself and set high goals.

Triston received a BS from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, and served as president of both the Black Wharton Undergraduate Association as well as the African-American Senior Honor Society. After graduating he worked as an associate on Morgan Stanley’s Multicultural Client Strategy Team. Triston received his MBA from Harvard Business School, where he served as the Student Body President and graduated in the top 20% of his class.

Outside of school and work, Triston founded a professional development speaker series in New York City called Navigating Corporate America, and is involved with the non profits Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) and Sponsorship for Educational Opportunity (SEO).

I wanted to share Triston’s story with my younger brother, who struggles to return to a rigorous academic school while balancing a turbulent family situation. As a young student, it is difficult for him to understand how the challenges he is facing now, inside and outside the classroom, will prepare him with essential life skills. Like many other students, my brother has been presented with many unprecedented challenges he must overcome, while showing appreciation for the resources he is provided. 

Triston and I felt that many students could benefit from hearing his journey, learning about different aspects of measuring growth, and asking personal questions. 

Two months later, I am now working with the Wily Network’s communications team to create promotional media and conduct community outreach. This experience has allowed me to grow my management skills, expand my network, and share with the community a resource that has helped me. I am very excited to host and moderate this discussion, and share this opportunity with my community. 

Early Obstacles and Later Success will take place on Sunday, September 20th, 7:30-8:30 pm EST. This discussion is a great opportunity to learn more about Triston’s story: his take on the power of education, his mindset while overcoming obstacles, and the experiences that were essential for his professional success. These topics are truly versatile, highlighting the importance of different growth forms, whether it be academic or personal. Regardless of your age, educational foundation, or personal background, if you are interested in learning about the positive impact of adversity, this is the event for you. Click here to sign up for the event! All you need is a phone or computer with a stable connection to tune in.