Trying to Get a Job? Read this First.

After recently attending a career fair held on a local college campus, I felt compelled to compile the following advice on career fair etiquette. Apparently a select few of the attendees didn’t get the memo.

Detach yourself from your best friend’s hip.
Here’s a news flash: You are competing for a job with everyone else in the room. Therefore, your goal should be to make a memorable and lasting impression on employers. You can’t do that when you approach an employer practically holding hands with your roommate or study buddy. It demonstrates a lack of confidence and brings into question your ability act independently.

Eliminate “like,” “um” and “you know” from your vocabulary.
Um, you know, like that kind of thing. No, I don’t. Look, I know you may be nervous, and that’s understandable. But at the same time, you must practice avoiding the use of filler words when speaking to a potential employer, or anyone for that matter. Do you think your boss wants you speaking to clients that way? Um, like, no. Pay attention in your day-to-day conversations and make a point to change your speech pattern. Better yet, tell your friends to call you on it.

Know why you’re there.
Before you go to one of these things, have a friend play the role of employer and ask you to tell him about yourself. Then, in 20 seconds or less, explain your professional interests and experience, and highlight any primary strengths. Finally, ask your friend if he would hire you, and if so, in what role. This will help you sell yourself without fumbling over your words or leaving anything out. (It will also help correct the “um, like, you know” habit.)

Grip and pump.
Nothing irks me more than a weak handshake, especially from women. You don’t close deals with a handshake like that. I want to know that you are a go-getter and a confident, get-things-done kind of individual. You can tell me that with a simple, firm handshake. And guys, please don’t assume that because you are shaking the hand of a female employer that you must be especially gentle. Our hands aren’t made of blown glass.

“Business attire” does not mean “short black skirt with a 5-inch slit.”
While the majority of participants at this particular career fair were appropriately dressed, I think it’s still worth mentioning that tank tops, super low-cut blouses, short skirts and high slits are definite no-nos. Ladies, you needn’t look like something that just walked out of a Victoria’s Secret catalogue. We know you’re beautiful, but your beauty should not distract us from your ability. For guys, clean shaven, well-groomed hair and a recently ironed button-down shirt usually does the trick.

Overall, it was a thrill to meet the future leaders of our industry, and I wish them all the best of luck in their hunt for an awesome career.