How to Stand Out at a Global Development Career Fair

Career fair season is finally upon us! Fall and Spring tend to be extremely busy times for job seekers and recruiters alike as universities and development organizations host a series of events connecting employers with new talent. A career fair can be a perfect opportunity for upcoming and recent graduates to speak with potential employers and get to know these organizations beyond what is posted on their websites. Similarly, employers enjoy promoting the work they do to audiences that may not otherwise be familiar with their company's mission. In anticipation of the Society for International Development's Global Development and Recruiting Fair, which will be hosted at the University of Virginia on November 4, I've listed below a few simple steps any career fair participant can take to get the most out of the event.

1. Do your research! Event organizers will publish a list of participating organizations ahead of time, so make sure you visit their websites and learn a bit more about the work that they do before the day of the career fair. Since most career fairs will feature several organizations (usually over 20), it is important to focus on visiting the employers you're most interested in. Make a list of the firms you absolutely want to talk to, and then a secondary list of booths you'd like to visit if you have the time. Doing your homework will also allow you to ask recruiters more targeted questions about their work and what they're looking for in new employees.
2. Prepare an elevator speech. At career fairs, recruiters can easily talk to a hundred participants within only a couple of hours, and that's not an exaggeration! Practice a short (about 30-second) introduction that highlights your academic background, career interests, any geographic or technical focuses you might have, and unique skills you may possess.
3. Think of questions ahead of time. As I mentioned above, a career fair is the best opportunity you have to get to know an organization a bit more personally. The booths will most likely be staffed by recruiters - the very people whose job it is to identify strong talent and bring them on-board. Take this moment to ask them what they're looking for in new employees and how your application can stand out from the rest. Are cover letters extremely important, or do they go unread? What is their recruitment process like? What are some of the responsibilities of a typical entry level position? If you're still in school and unable to start a job until after graduation, when should you start applying for opportunities? What are some of the characteristics of a successful employee at their company? Answers to these questions will vary between organizations and will also give you a sense of whether they might be a professional fit for you.
4. Stay connected. Engaging with employers is easier than ever before! Companies will frequently post about new projects won or open positions through social media. For example, you can follow Creative Associates International on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to learn more about the exciting work we're doing worldwide in the areas of democracy and governance, education, economic growth, and youth and workforce development. If you're interested specifically in job opportunities, connecting with a recruiter on LinkedIn or following them on Twitter is a great way to stay up-to-date.

Information about next week's career fair at UVA can be found by clicking here. Make sure you stop by the Creative Associates booth and introduce yourself to the recruiters. We look forward to meeting you!

A complete list of current opportunities with Creative Associates can be found on our website.