Networking At Career Fairs

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬, 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 Does the thought of networking make you feel like you're just selling yourself? It's time to flip the script. Here’s how to network effectively without feeling 'salesy': 📍Seek Depth, Not Numbers Forget about amassing contacts. Harvard Business Review suggests that meaningful, in-depth conversations are far more beneficial than a vast network. 📍Become a Master Listener Effective networking is less about talking and more about listening. Show genuine interest in others' stories and challenges. This approach not only builds stronger connections but also makes your interactions more engaging. 📍Lead with Value Always offer help before asking for anything. According to LinkedIn, 80% of professionals believe that networking is most effective when both parties gain something from the exchange. 📍Customize Your Connections Skip the generic connection requests. Reference specific details about how you met or a topic you discussed. This personal touch transforms your approach from transactional to meaningful. 📍Make Memorable Follow-ups After meeting someone, follow up with something relevant from your discussion. Whether it's an article related to a topic you spoke about or a simple congratulation on a recent achievement, personalized follow-ups make you stand out. 📍Engage Thoughtfully Online Interact with your connections' content by sharing insights or thoughtful comments. This keeps you visible and valuable, enhancing your network's strength without overt selling. 📍Embrace the Long Game Remember, effective networking builds over time. Stay consistent and patient—American Express reports that 40% of executives credit networking for their success. 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙍𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩: 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩, 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙨. 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙢𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙚𝙨. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜—𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙢𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙨. ---------------------------------- Follow Surya Vajpeyi for more such content💜 #EffectiveNetworking #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalNetworking

I've found that how we introduce ourselves shapes the entire conversation that follows. Standard introductions with name, title, and company get forgotten fast. Instead, I use a simple three-part structure that works better: 1. Your name and current focus 2. One fact that stands out 3. A link to the current setting For example, instead of "I'm Nancy, Global News Anchor at the BBC with 20 years of experience," I might say: "I'm Nancy, working on how news covers different regions with balance. I started as a reporter in East Africa, which changed how I tell stories from around the world. I'm curious about how your team handles diverse viewpoints in your work." This approach creates a bridge to real conversation instead of just listing your resume. What introduction method works for you? Have you found ways to help people remember you after first meetings? #ProfessionalCommunication #NetworkingTips

Most students walk away from career fairs with free pens. I walked away with 2 internships. Here’s exactly how I did it — and how you can too. ⏳ Career Fair success starts before the fair. Not during. Not the night before. Weeks before. 🔍 Step 1: Research smart Pick 10–15 companies you’d actually want to work for. If you're an international student, check myvisajobs.com to find visa sponsors fast. I used this strategy to land an internship at American Airlines. They were working on predictive analytics to cut flight delays — so I pitched how my final project on time series forecasting could help. 🎓 One thing Dr. B.P.S. Murthi taught us stuck with me: Don’t act like a student. Act like a consultant. Know the company’s problems — and show how you can solve one. 💡 Use this ChatGPT prompt: “Summarize what [Company] does, who their customers are, and 3 challenges they’re likely solving. Then explain how a student or intern could help.” 🤝 Step 2: Connect early Search [Company] + University Recruiter on LinkedIn. ✅ Connect. ✅ Send a short message on LinkedIn/ cold email: “Hi [Name], I’m [Your Name], a [Major] student at [University]. Looking forward to meeting [Company] at the career fair — especially curious how your team handles [project/problem].” One recruiter replied: "Thanks for reaching out — excited to chat more about your project!" That message made the booth conversation effortless. 📊 Step 3: Walk in with a tracker Use a simple Excel sheet: | Company | Recruiter | Role | Notes | Example: | American Airlines | Sarah J. | Data Analyst Intern | Mention time series forecasting + automation | | Dell | Priya S. | Data Intern | Ask about GenAI + internal LLM use cases | 💬 Use this ChatGPT prompt: “Here’s their LinkedIn profile. Here’s mine. Give me 3 conversation starters I can use.” 📇 Step 4: Go digital + Print Business Cards Make business cards with a QR code to your LinkedIn or resume. → Canva: design your card → HiHello or Beaconstac: create a QR code → Vistaprint: get it printed 🧠 I added a tagline under my name: "Turning messy data into decisions." 🖼️ Add a small photo so they remember your face. ✍️ Write a quick note on the card after each chat: “Enjoyed talking about data automation!” Most students show up. Few stand out. So you better be that person. 📌 Next up → how to build a tracker + elevator pitch that actually gets remembered. #CareerFairSeason #InternshipTips #DataAnalytics #JobSearchStrategy #InternationalStudents #NetworkingTips #CareerDevelopment #LinkedInTips #StudentSuccess #CollegeToCareer

80% of students find career fairs overwhelming. Here’s how I made Rutgers’ work for me: Upcoming graduation means attending more career fairs. Academic fairs can be chaotic, but a little planning helped me show up fully, without burning out. Sharing what worked: 🔥 Most Underrated Arrive early with thorough research on companies you like. Event portals usually list all the attending companies and their websites — use that. Check for sponsorship status, open roles, and whether they align with your interests or skills. It helps you start stronger conversations and avoid booths that might not be relevant to your goals. Saves time and energy. 🧠 5 Minutes > Small Talk A quick scan of each company’s open roles helped me skip “What do you do?” and ask questions that actually mattered to both sides. 🎯 10 Booths > 30 I focused on AI, healthcare, and data roles. Mostly because of my internship and academic experiences made me a better fit. Prioritizing meant fewer convos, but better ones — with space to actually connect. 📍 Map Your Route Early Since booths were grouped by department, planning my path saved energy and avoided the lines that weren’t relevant to my field. 📄 Resumes as Icebreakers I brought a few tailored versions plus a general one. One recruiter actually told me, “This matches our needs more than anything I’ve seen today.” 💬 No Pitch, Just Curiosity I skipped the rehearsed intro for med-tech especially and started with: “I’m working in health AI and data and looking to grow in that space — what’s your team focused on these days?” Way better engagement. 💡 Bonus: Snap a photo Not for social. Just to remind yourself later — you showed up. It felt like a successful fair — not because of leads, but because I stayed present, calm, and intentional. That’s a win. P.S. I’ve been working with a health AI startup and have seen the hiring side too — good prep really does stand out. Always open to connecting with folks building in AI, healthcare, or data — happy to exchange insights or learn about what teams are working on. #RutgersCareerFair #CSGrad2025 #WomenInTech #HealthcareAI

How many times have you logged on to Linkedin and found yet another email that starts with: "Hey [First Name]," followed by a generic pitch that does not concern your interests or needs. Sound familiar? We've all been there. And it's frustrating. As a fractional CMO/Consultant, I've seen this happen repeatedly. Businesses think they're doing personalization right but need to do better. It's not enough to use someone's name or company. 👉🏾 True personalization is about understanding their challenges, goals, and needs. For example, on LinkedIn, scroll through their feed and see what they post, talk about, like, and comment on. This helps as a starting ground on how to approach them and what to discuss. So, instead of sending a LinkedIn message that says: "I'd love to connect and learn more about your business," try something like: "I noticed you're working on [specific project]. I have some ideas on how you could [achieve a specific goal]. Would you be open to a quick chat?" See the difference? It's not just about being personal; it's about being relevant. And when you're relevant, you're not annoying — you're helpful. 👉🏾 So, think about this the next time you craft a personalized outreach campaign. →"Would I find this message valuable? →Does it address my specific needs and interests?" If the answer is no, it's time to return to the drawing board. 👉🏾 Also, tools like Crystal Knows help you fine-tune your message and tone when reaching out to maximize the impact of every conversation. Let's aim for genuinely helpful messages, not just another annoyance in their inbox. What do you think about personalized outreach? #b2bmarketing #demandgeneration #leadgeneration #ABM

I once interviewed a candidate who was rejected after the panel. The team liked him, but another candidate was a better fit. When I shared the news, he was naturally disappointed; this was his dream company. But he didn't probe why he wasn't selected. Instead, he asked me a question that I feel is worth sharing: "What can I start working on today that will make me a stronger candidate the next time?" I happily shared some tips and career suggestions. Knowing why you're not fit isn't always motivating, but having an illuminated path forward can be. Try asking this question instead if you get rejected. You may just learn what to do to get the job next time.

There is one moment in every interview where I can almost feel a candidate lose confidence. It’s the moment the interviewer smiles and says: “So… tell me about yourself.” I have watched brilliant, high-performing professionals crumble at this question because they were never taught how to introduce themselves with intention. Most people recite their CV. Or list job titles. Or deliver a memorised script that has no soul. This question is not a warm-up. It is your one shot to set the tone for the entire interview. It is your chance to say: Here’s what I bring. Here’s why I matter. Here’s the difference I can make for you. When you get the first 90–120 seconds right, everything else gets easier. 1. Start with context so they know who you are and why you are relevant. 2. Share 2–3 specific stories that speak directly to their problems. 3. End with a powerful ‘why’ that ties your journey to their role. And then my favourite step: Flip the script. Ask, “What are your top priorities for this hire?” Instantly, you shift from “candidate” to “strategic partner.” Your next breakthrough might be hidden in the first 90 seconds of your story.

A rejection letter hits your inbox. Most people avoid reading it, take it personally, and never respond. But that's leaving opportunity on the table. Here's what the best job seekers do instead: Reply with gratitude (easier said than done). - Thank the recruiter and hiring team. - Keep the door open for future roles. Request feedback (if possible). - Not every company can share details. - But a small note can help you refine your approach. Explore other roles. - Check if they're hiring for similar positions. - Be extremely specific about why you're interested. Reflect and refine. - What went well? What needs improvement? - Talk with someone already in the role you want. Because here's the truth: The worst thing you can do is walk away without learning anything. Admit it, this didn't go the way you wanted it to go and now it's time to pivot or press forward. A rejection isn't the end - it's data. It's an insight into what companies are looking for. It's a chance to build relationships for the future. The people who get hired? They treat every interaction like it matters. Because it does. ps) I've personally watched this happen for a fortune 100 company with my client, first candidate they hired didn't work out and they went right back to them. They've been there for 5 years now.

An identity wrapped up in a title is dangerous. While our job titles can be a source of pride, relying solely on them to define ourselves can be unhealthy. If you’re introducing yourself along the lines of: ↳ “I’m Lorraine and I’m an editorial director” ↳ “I’m a lawyer at Company ABC” ↳ “I’m a Senior VP at XYZ” It’s time to make a change. I used to do the same back when I was still at LinkedIn.  I tied up my identity in being a LinkedIn editor. I then did the same thing at Prezi, until I realized I wanted to be known for more than just my job.  So I started posting more on LinkedIn not about my work, but about career topics I was passionate about. I got invited to speak on stages and on podcasts — and while my company was part of my brand, it wasn’t the only thing I was known for. Then I got impacted by the mass tech layoffs. It was naturally a shock, but I also felt a sense of comfort knowing I had built a brand and presence for myself that went beyond tying my identity to my job. Next time you introduce yourself, think about these: ✅ What do you do? ✅ What’s one thing you care about? ✅ What’s the value that you bring to the table? There are multiple ways to introduce yourself that will withstand any situation you’re in. It could be: ✔️I’m [NAME] and I have always loved [PASSION]. ✔️I’m [NAME] and I’m a [TITLE] who’s passionate about [OUTCOME]. ✔️I'm [NAME] and I help businesses and individuals achieve [GOAL/S]. That’s why I’m passionate about teaching professionals from companies like Google, LinkedIn, Cisco, Northrop Grumman, and others, how to create their UPI — aka Unique, Powerful Introduction. If you want to 10x the impact of your introduction, here’s a crash course: Think beyond your role and dig into: ✅ Who your target audience is  ✅ Your team mission statement ✅ What that job title actually means Remember, you’re more than your job title. 💬 How do you introduce yourself?

So... here's how to hack your Career Fair 🎓 1》Do your homework before you show up to the Career Fair hall. You should know the companies attending, and the subset of those you are interested in. Target ~5 and do your best to talk to them. Research their different business areas, headquarter location, and core competencies within their industry. Read up on recent news related to the companies. Lastly, read which specific requisition IDs (role title, team/product, location) the company is hiring for. 2》While you are in line waiting to speak to the recruiter, shake hands and introduce yourself to the person in front of you and behind you. Ask them about their background and share yours. Not only is this a great warm up for your elevator pitch, but you're putting yourself in the right energy state so that you're ready to crush it. (Also, it makes the 15min wait way less painful/awkward) 3》When you're talking to the recruiter, it's not a conversation. It's a sales pitch. "Sell me this pen" ... but you're the pen. And the company you are speaking to needs to write a book by the end of the year and they're looking for the right kind of pen. So convince them that you are ☆ Competent in the specific skills they need (share previous experience/projects) ☆ Cooperative (share examples of teamwork/leadership) ☆ Willing to Learn (share a story about how you overcame a difficult challenge or learned a new skill) 4》Ask a good question at the end, dont waste it. Ok, I'm giving away the sauce here, but here's what I used in undergrad: "Is there anything else I can share that would convince you I'm a solid fit for this role?" This question is good for a number of reasons, but mainly it allows the recruiter to ask about any reservations about you and potentially gives you a chance to supplement the conversation with relevant info. 5》Don't take it personally if you don't hear back, get ghosted, no interviews, or rejected. This whole thing is an imperfect set matching between (Applicants) and (Roles). Just keep applying, following up, and sharpening your skills in the meantime. Good luck 🛠 #fieldnote #careerfairs