Ahead of the Pack

“You should ask someone to play the part of the recruiter so you can practice asking and answering questions. This will make your conversations flow more naturally.”

When going to an event, make sure to dress professionally and wear what you would wear to a job interview, as most recruiting events are really informal job interviews. Make sure to talk to everyone in attendance regardless of their rank within their organization, and hand out your business cards to everyone you meet.

You should also note the name of whom you are talking to, as anyone you connect with can become a valuable ally later on.

“If you feel you’re getting along well with a staff member that’s there, don’t feel the need to rush the conversation to talk to someone else,” says Nick Kaplan, a student at the University of Toronto’s Master of Management and Professional Accounting program who has completed a co-op term with KPMG. “Recruiting coordinators typically ask for input from all staff at these events. Know who you talked to because you might want to drop their name when you contact the lead recruiter in the future.”

You will also want to make sure that you listen actively and attentively to everyone who is speaking with you, that you never interrupt someone when they are talking, that you always make eye contact with the person speaking, and that you comment on what they’ve said to show them that you’ve been listening.

You should also feel free to speak about your accomplishments with a sense of pride, and project confidence while doing so, but you have to be careful to not come cross as too eager.

“While it is important to be professional, you should also try to connect with a recruiter or interviewer on a personal level. You have to learn how to make appropriate small talk, so your personality and interests come through,” says Simon Fraser University student James Proctor who spent his summer interning at KPMG. “You want to make the people you meet feel comfortable with the idea of working with you each day.”

These events also provide you with the opportunity to ask a lot of questions. While you will already have done your research and have an idea of where you might want to work, you should use these recruiting events to interview your potential employer so you can get a better idea about them.

“Ask questions that are engaging and intelligent. Use these events to learn about the challenges people face in their roles, and what they like and dislike about their workplace,” says Chris Firka, a financial analyst for Manulife Financial and a recent graduate from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

FOLLOW-UP

Recruiters will speak with hundreds of students each day, and visit several schools every week in the fall. So while they might have your résumé and business card on file, you don’t want to get lost in the shuffle.

So follow up the next morning with a short one-paragraph email, or mail the recruiter a short note or “thank you” card.

“Following up with people afterwards shows how much you really want the job, and recruiters are more likely to choose someone with initiative than a person who is less proactive,” says Mireille Dimitry, a financial analyst for Transport Canada who recently graduated from Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business. Make sure to mention some of the things you discussed and connected on, as you thank the recruiter for taking the time to meet with you. Good manners and etiquette still go a very long way, and will definitely put you ahead of the pack.