By Darla Mayse, Sourcing and Recruitment Marketing Specialist
Each February, Talent Acquisition professionals and hiring managers from Sodexo gear up for the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) National conference. As the premier professional organization for minority hospitality students, this organization has grown tremendously from its four visionary leaders at Cornell University in 1989 to over 1,200 student members across the nation. Once again, Sodexo is a proud sponsor of the NSMH National Conference and will be exhibiting at the career fair.
I was always impressed by the level of professionalism demonstrated by the students. It was obvious they came to accept an offer. In fact, last year we extended on-the-spot offers and hired more than 26 NSMH members!
Based on my interaction with students at past conferences, like NSMH, I compiled a list of tips that can help you get the most out of your time with potential employers both in-person and on-line.
Clarify your goals
What is it that you hope to get out of the experience? Is it to learn more about the company or industry, a specific job that you saw online or simply to network? Once you clarify your goal of visiting with employers at the career fair, you will likely have a more successful outcome.
Ask the right questions
When meeting the recruiters or hiring managers, instead of asking what jobs are available, ask about specific jobs that you researched on the company website or social media profiles; then share how your experience may be relevant. This is also a good time to ask about the hiring process. Most people never ask about the hiring process but doing so can help you prepare for upcoming interviews as well as understand the hiring timeframe. Get familiar with all of the facets that interest you about the company: goals, mission, what it’s truly like to work there.
Engage
Be yourself but engage the company representative with conversation relevant to the day’s activities and events or fun things going on within the company or industry. While using social media to inquire about positions you’ve applied to is a good way to connect with recruiters and keep your name top of mind, it should not be your only form of engagement on the page or group. Going a step further and offering industry knowledge, articles and advice to others in the group shows will make you stand out from the crowd.
Make a connection
After receiving a business card, follow up in a timely manner and connect via social media like LinkedIn or Facebook. Most company representatives have an online presence and many employers offer ways to stay connected to their community, like Sodexo does.
In-person or on-line, you have a captured audience in the form of a potential employer. Why not make the most of it by being prepared? What tips do you have to share?
Visit our Facebook Event Page for more information on NSMH and to connect with our team. You can also network with Sodexo recruiters through the Sodexo NSMH Twitter List before the event.
Visit our Facebook Event Page for more information on NSMH and to connect with our team. You can also network with Sodexo recruiters through the Sodexo NSMH Twitter List before the event.
0 comments:
Post a Comment