Make the most of a career fair by asking employers good questions!
Attending a job fair is a great way to get information from potential employers, and to promote yourself as a great candidate. When engaged in a conversation with employers, there are certain strategic questions you should ask.
Below is a list of good strategic questions you can ask recruiters at a career fair in order gain valuable information and simultaneously make a great impression.
Show them how you’ll fit (and exceed) their needs
Listen carefully to the answers recruiters give to the following questions; as your response to their response will allow you to outline how you would be perfectly suited for what they are looking for.
• What kind of skills and experience are you looking for in new employees?
• What are some of the professional characteristics of some of your most successful employees?
• Is having a graduate degree important to advance in your organization?
• Which courses should a student pursue in order to be successful in your organization?
Find out about their hiring process
By asking employers the following questions, you’ll be able to get a good understanding of each employer’s specific hiring process.
• What kind of internships or entry-level positions exist within your organization?Does your organization hire continuously, or just at certain times of the year?
• What does the hiring process consist of?
• What is the retention rate of new hires in your organization?
A perfect match: Am I a good fit for them? Are they a good fit for me?
When you ask the following questions you will be in a position to gain valuable information about whether or not you will want to work for that employer. It’s important not to just take the first job you get, but try to get a job you WANT. Evaluate companies just as much as they are evaluating you!
• How long does a typical employee stay with your organization?
• Are there ongoing training opportunities in your organization?
• In the position I am seeking, what can a dedicated employee expect to be doing in 2, 5, 10 years?
• Do you expect employees to relocate? Is there much travel?
The recruiter is an employee too; do they like it there?
Asking recruiters questions relating to their job is not for the faint of heart, and is only recommended if done in a professional manner. Asking the following questions will provide valuable insight from an actual employee.
• How long have you been with the organization?
• What made you choose this organization, and why do you choose to stay?
• What is the thing that surprised you most about this company?
Are there any questions you’ve been asked that you didn’t know how to respond to? Feel free to leave a comment
Reference: Thompson Rivers University
