Spring is the time for job fairs, and in this economy two things are certain. First, the job fair will be mobbed with lots of people looking for jobs. Second, the employers know that there are desperate job seekers, hungry for any job, not necessarily the one that fits them best. In the hospitality industry, depending on where you are located, vacation season is just a few months away, and there are positions opening up for seasonal workers. If you’ve been looking for awhile, landing a seasonal job and then really showing how valuable you would be to the organization long-term, can lead to a new career.
How do you stand out in the mass of people crowding around an employer’s booth? What will make you memorable? Here are six tips that will make you stand out from the crowd and help to get a call back:
- Know what job you are looking for and what you are qualified for. Candidates who don’t know what job they are qualified for and are interested in are tedious; seem unsure and a little desperate. Those are three characteristics you don’t want a prospective employer writing in the margin of your resume. Job fairs are usually sponsored by an organization or company, and will have information on their website about who will be represented and the available positions.
- Choose wisely. I used to watch job seekers go from table to table, handing out resumes, using the same script with each employer. Take the time to learn about the companies and find those that fit your personality, work habits, values and experience level. Make a list of those employers you want to see, and categorize them A, B and C. Make sure you visit the booths on your “A” list first, when you’re fresh and most energetic. Then go to the “Bs” and lastly the C’s.
- Customize your “script.” Each company has distinctive characteristics, products, services and missions. When you talk about yourself, show how you are a good fit for the job and the company. One script won’t fit all. And after the fourth time, it will start to sound like a canned speech.
- Dress for success. It used to be coat and tie for the gentlemen, suit (with skirt) and heels for the ladies. Things have become less formal but still professional. Go to Barnes and Nobles and look over some business magazines like INC or Fast Company and check out the clothing styles. If you are uncomfortable in a suit and tie it will show. Dress professionally for the job and yourself.
- Bring lots of copies of resumes. You have to seize the moment. White paper, no more than two pages. No pictures, videos, trinkets or balloons.
- Put your email address and cell phone number on your resume. Be sure your email address and voice mail message are professional as well. No funky music to listen to for 10 minutes before leaving a message. No screening calls. As an HR Director, I would promptly hang up if I got those responses from a phone call. It would be a shame to work so hard to get that phone call and be discounted because of an unprofessional message.
Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is The AHA!ogist, a consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for Hospitalityjobsite.com. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing Alto II with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and helping clients discover what they love and spend their life on it. You can read more of her blogs at hospitalityjobsiteblog.com and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!