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In-person events, how we have missed them! Now that campus is finally warming up and more employers are becoming comfortable with recruiting in-person, it’s crucial that students get ready to interview and interact with companies on-campus. We’re all excited to get back to pre-pandemic events, but every company has a different comfort level with being in-person, so just be conscious of that and do get pumped up for virtual events as well! However, if some upcoming events that interest you are in-person, do these three things to prepare for them:
- Bring or buy business casual and business professional attire!
- It’s super important to have appropriate clothing for interviews and more formal events. While having a semi-nice shirt was very appropriate for Zoom, going back to more professional attire (even for pants, unfortunately) is the best practice.
- You don’t have to go crazy with your professional attire budget! There are frequently great sales at department stores like Macy’s… but don’t forget. You truly really only need a few staple pieces (it’s not like you’ll be attending the same company’s event over five times during a semester or even talking to the same representatives). Even then, it’s difficult to recall a time when an employer remembered exactly what a candidate was wearing. Employers just want to see the effort that goes into following an appropriate dress code, so use your best judgment!
- Print out many copies of your resume and don’t forget your padfolio.
- Just in case employers want a physical copy of your resume as they have in the past, it’s great to bring a few copies to every in-person event. Even if you don’t end up giving them out, it’s good to refresh yourself with what’s on your resume and have a quick cheat sheet for starting and continuing conversations!
- Your padfolio is such an important tool throughout your attendance at events! You can participate in note-taking and get so much contact info from representatives attending these events. A padfolio will make your life a lot easier throughout recruitment – it is a great interview accessory for anybody.
- Practice your handshake… maybe?
- Different comfort levels mean that there will probably be some employers that strongly believe in the tradition of shaking your hand. If you are comfortable with this, it’s a great way to connect to someone when you first meet them.
- Since many of us have not shaken hands in so long, it’s a good idea to practice with friends before you shake an employer’s hand at an event.
- Just to be on the safe side, make sure to wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer! Stay safe, Falcons!
