Written by: Fatima Marquez & Sammy Seth
Peer consultants Rachel and Jonah at the OCC table at the career fair
This past Thursday, the Oral Communication Center (OCC) tabled at the Communication Career Fair at Stamp. Our consultants were there to help students practice their elevator pitch before approaching potential employers. Students also had the opportunity to learn more about what resources the OCC provides. Happen to miss the career fair? No worries! In this post, you’ll learn how to prepare for the next career fair or job interview that comes your way.
What is the first thing you should do?
Introduce yourself: It’s easy to go up to a table and ask who they are. But remember, they are there to meet you as well! It’s more than telling them your name and what your major is. Tell them about a time you overcame an obstacle, or maybe it was an obstacle you couldn’t tackle. What did you learn from it? Maybe you’ve taken a course at UMD that has taught you skills and theories that you would like to apply at this position. Make yourself standout.
What are employers looking for?
Soft skills: these are the skills that are transferable to any job function and industry. Attributes like communication, leadership, and empathy. They are looking for those who know how to interact with people and create a welcoming environment!
What else can you do when speaking to them?
Ask questions: a great tell that you are interested in their mission and organization is seeing you engage by asking questions. It’s a great way to show off your attentiveness and your ability to actively listen in a conversation!
The OCC is here to help you! Schedule an appointment, and you’ll receive support and feedback for your upcoming job interviews!