Career fairs are for college students, people looking to change jobs or those actively looking for employment. There won’t be time for a sit-down interview, but it’s your chance to show the recruiter that you have what it takes and that you are professional. Career fairs give you an opportunity to network, practice your interview skills and gather information. However, because thousands of college students and potential employees like you will be attending the fair, the questions you ask of potential employers must be informed and intelligent.
Have meaningful conversations with the potential employers so that you stand out from the crowd. To have a competitive edge over your peers, research the companies that will be attending. Find out what their culture is and a specific role you would want to play at the company if you joined.
1. Why you should ask questions during a career fair
2. Sample questions to ask at a career fair
3. Questions to avoid during a career fair
The questions you ask depends on the recruiter, your knowledge of the company and what kind of interest you have in the company. These questions serve different purposes including:
1. What skills and qualifications do I need to work in X position?
The hiring manager will list down specific skills and qualifications. Their answer can help you determine whether you qualify for the position. If you have your resume ready, you can hand it to them. However, explain to them first how your qualifications, experiences, and skills fit the role. Then, respectfully ask if they would like to have a look at your CV later to see how your skills match the position. Remember first to find out if the role is vacant from their website (careers/ job posting section). If it is, go to the job description and find the top skills and qualifications they are looking for.
2. What does the career path for a Y position in your company entail?
The question shows the recruiter that you are interested in that specific career path at their company and that you want to grow. It shows a desire to advance as well as your loyalty to a company. Employers want an employee who will remain loyal to their company. Focus on the position and demonstrate your willingness to start from the bottom and grow through hard work and dedication. It also helps you find out if you would want to work for the company.
3. What are some personal development opportunities available at your company?
This question also demonstrates your loyalty to an organization. It tells the recruiter that you will be there for the long haul. Companies are looking for someone who will be loyal and flexible. An ideal candidate can handle different tasks and changing roles and remain loyal for a long time. It becomes expensive for the company to hire and train new employees every few years. The question convinces the recruiter that you are willing to make a long-term investment into the success of the company.
It will also help you identify professional qualifications you need to excel in the position and what attributes and skills the company values in an employee. If entering at an entry position, then you can ask whether the company hires from within and what a new employee’s five-year trajectory entails. This question shows that you are willing and ready to grow with the company.
4. What kind of training programs does the company offer?
The market today requires competitive employees. This means that employees must continuously upgrade their skills. Your question shows that you are talented and eager to learn more. Be careful not to give the impression that you are just looking to receive some free education using the company’s funds. Instead, give an example of how a training program you took helped you excel at a previous position. You can also highlight a specific skill set you want to achieve and how it would directly benefit the company.
5. What’s the company culture?
You may not have gotten a clear picture of their company culture and this is your opportunity. Are they a ‘suits and tie’ office or do they prefer casual but smart? What are their office hours and can you work remotely? These questions will also help you know whether the company is ideal for you.
6. How can I contribute to the company’s success?
Ask this question after mentioning to the recruiter your interests and qualifications. It helps the recruiter imagine you in the position. S/he becomes the one fitting you into the role and not the other way around. You allow him/her to solve the puzzle for themselves.
7. What do you think about Z (a trend or event that involves the company)?
Do some research before getting to the career fair and find out trends in the industry. You can also check the company news from their website to find goals they have set, a new partner or client they are working with, recent awards or achievements. Companies love to brag about their accomplishments, and their ‘Media Section,’ ‘About Us’, or press releases will give you more insight into what’s happening at the company. Company blogs, employee blogs, and social media sites will also say a lot about the company.
However, avoid bringing up negative trends. Instead, focus on a positive thing that’s happened. Ask the recruiter what they think about it and how they hope it will help the company. Listen carefully and then offer an opinion on how you think this achievement or trend will benefit the company. It shows the recruiter that you keep up to date with industry news. It also shows your interest by keeping up with company updates and successes.
8. What is the biggest challenge of working as a [name the position] in your company?
The answer they give will tell you what to expect if you ever got hired for the position. Listen carefully and note traits you can use for the role. For example, are the employees in that role competitive? If you are also competitive, then it’s your chance to demonstrate your skills. Provide an example of a time when you excelled when faced with a similar situation.
9. What do you love about working for this company and what don’t you like?
People are prone to talk about themselves and they love the experience. Even recruiters will enjoy telling their story. Their answer can tell you what the company culture is like. It also allows you to connect with the recruiter and impress them. If the recruiter is struggling to answer, then it may not be an ideal place to work. If they light up and passionately describe a day at the office or a favorite part of the job, then they are happy to work for the company. A person who has no negative things to say about the company, however, may be lying. They may be sugarcoating their experiences at the company.
10. Can I contact the company if I have further questions?
End the conversation by asking if you can leave your resume with them and whether they mind giving you their business card. If you get the business card, then you have direct contact with the company. Send them a thank you letter within 48 hours and use the opportunity to remind them who you are, how you met them and the qualifications you have.
Avoid questions that indicate that your resume has something negative, that you have a gap in employment or that you previously got fired or laid off. Other queries to avoid include:
What is the salary for this position and does one get vacation time?
You do not have the job yet. Ask these questions only after you receive an offer for the position. Asking them at a career fair makes you come across as an unmotivated candidate who is only interested in vacations and money.
What does the company do?
This question shows that you have not researched the company. It means you are not interested in the company and you are not willing to put in the work. Even if you did not know the company would be there, do some research on your phone before sitting with the recruiter. You could also ask someone else to pick a brochure from the company area for you to get an idea about what the company does.
Does your hiring process include background checks?
This is the worst question you could ask. It not only draws negative attention to yourself, but it makes the recruiter wonder whether there is a dark past you are trying to hide.
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very helpful. Thank you.
By Rosie Haislip (Jan, 2022) |