A few days ago I added the the General Interest Career Fair into my blackberry calendar (Oct. 1st 10:30-2:30 in Dillon). It’s an easy way to meet employers one-on-one without having to go into the city or set up an appointment—it’s on your own terms. I’ve gone every year since I’ve been at Princeton (4) and each year my strategy changes a little.
My freshman year was a learning experience. I showed up in shorts and a t-shirt, having intended to go to the gym around noon on Friday, and instead found the basketball courts filled with employers. Thinking “why not!” I walked around and talked to several employers, trying to figure out which company belonged to which industry (not as easy as you’d think). I remember going up to the SAP Americas table and asking them what they did, and if they thought I should apply in future years. The representatives from SAP, of course, were very professional and not only explained their industry, but also encouraged me to apply for internships my sophomore year. In retrospect, however, I bet they were unimpressed by my attire and my lack of knowledge about their company. So embarrassing!
My sophomore year, I was a little more prepared. I came in full business attire and had resumes to spare. By that point, I knew what companies like Bain, Centerview, and Oliver Wyman were and what type of student might be interested in them. I was still curious about investing strategies and finance at the time, but chose to go the media and advertising route, hoping for a more creative summer internship. I zeroed in on a few companies that I knew would have an advertising/marketing department: Anheuser-Busch, Madison Square Garden, Target, and Rosetta Marketing. I should have done some research on what positions they had available, though, because the majority of the companies were not accepting applications from sophomores that year. If I had checked out the Career Fair page on Tiger Tracks beforehand, I would have known which companies were open to my resumes and which were not. It was still worth my while to talk to the organizations that were strictly looking for juniors and seniors. I was told by recruiters that, they would “keep your resume flagged” for next year.
My junior year I was really pumped. I had on a nice, business-casual outfit and felt confident. I brought with me a stack of resumes as well as a notepad and summaries of all of the organizations I wanted to visit. I ended up speaking with representatives from five companies: Johnson & Johnson, Madison Square Garden, Time Inc., Under Armour, and Anheuser-Busch. A few of the organizations were not accepting applications that year, and therefore I simply used the time with respective recruiters to learn more about first-year positions out of college for my senior year. However, Madison Square Garden and Under Armour turned out to be very, very good visits for me. I ended up in fantastic, 20-minute conversations at each booth. I gave the recruiters my resume and told them I would be applying for their program that night. (If I could do it again, I would have already applied before the fair, though.) I got their cards and followed up the next day. Immediately, I got a first-round phone interview with both companies the following week. Before the end of the next month, I had an internship offer from both organizations.
This year is the most important, however, because I’m no longer looking for summer internships, but rather a good job where I can begin a career. I plan to talk to a wide range of companies this year and discern whether I fit into their equations.
It is as equally important process for students as it is for recruiters. As students, we try to figure out if the company is doing the types of the things we like to do, if it is projected to do well in the next few years, and if it is nurturing to new employees. The recruiters, on the other hand, are trying to make their company as appealing as possible to prospective employees. They are looking for well-qualified, friendly people to grow with their companies.
My friend works for Bain and will be attending the fair as a recruiter. He gave me some good advice, “The young alumni and new recruiters are sometimes just as nervous and excited as the students! Therefore, the more confidence you exude, the more confident we feel, and the better the interview.”
He also told me to think of the process as though I were pitching myself to an employer off of their general requirements list. I should be able to compare my skill-set with the desired qualities of applicants on the organizations’ lists, and determine with which companies I best align. If I can see a good match early on and can verbalize a favorable comparison of my abilities with their desired qualities, I am more likely to make a lasting impression in a sea of applicants. This type of targeted preparation will keep me ahead of the pack, making me appear as though I have an insight into the pointed skills for which a company is looking.
My last bit of advice is to come early. There were over 1,000 students there last year, and a projected 1,500 for this year. Be the first to stand out!