Black MBA - Summer 2008 - (Page 63)

A-list events. (There’s no wrong or right way to create an itinerary.) DO hit the career fair early. Adhering to the phrase “the early bird catches the worm,” perhaps is good advice when charting your course at the conference career fair. Herring has attended NBMBAA conferences as both a job-seeker and company representative. And from her observations, she says, company representatives don’t always stay for the entire day, or for the duration of the entire conference. Additionally, by the end of the day potential employers may suffer from networking overload. Pacing yourself well is crucial when targeting numerous companies. DO keep overall goals in mind. Are you seeking a new or different position? Are you attempting to build your Rolodex and network base? Perhaps you’re the company representative chosen to occupy a booth at the career fair and critique potential candidates. No matter the hat you wear, be fi rm and clear about your goals, yet flexible. With so many attendees expected at the 2008 conference, you never know who you’ll meet and what can result. Networking expert George C. Fraser often talks and writes about the importance of investing in people and relationships, including new acquaintances. Fraser suggests that the more you help someone reach success, the more people are willing to repay the favor. People, Fraser says, help those they believe care about them. DO sell yourself. “Determine your three selling points for each target company,” Herring suggests. Again, she recommends having an agenda and prior research to help sell yourself at the career fair and throughout the entire conference. The person sharing an elevator with you may be the CEO of a company or the wife of a top executive. Fraser offers additional advice – networking can take place in any location at any time, so while it’s important to present an “authentic” self, you may want to monitor your alcohol consumption and “extremely” casual behavior while attending receptions and conference parties. Again, you never know who’s watching, and you only have one time to make a fi rst impression. DON’T underestimate the value of the conference’s social scene. While you probably shouldn’t “party like a rockstar” during conference parties and social events, recognize the value of networking in relaxed atmospheres. “Often, if you make a connection in a more laidback setting, it can work in your favor when, later, you’re at a career booth,” Herring says. Employers realize a résumé only speaks to one aspect of a person’s abilities. Many companies are relying on personal referrals when making hiring decisions, which is why personality is becoming more crucial in the hiring process. If you’re going to spend 50 or more hours a week working with a team, one bad apple can spoil the party. So think of your interactions at the luncheons and receptions as a pre-recruitment personality test. DON’T waste time asking questions that research can answer. Though you may don various hats throughout the conference, if possible, avoid the dunce cap. The best way to assure this is by asking questions that may not readily be answered via a Google or Yahoo! Search, or by the use of sheer common sense. Avoid asking questions such as, “Where are you based?” “What kind of company are you?” “What are your brands and services?” “Do you have a supply chain department?” Yes, these are valid questions, but they’re also timesnatchers, and can be easily answered with prior planning and research. Networking can take place in any location at any time, so while it’s important to present an “authentic” self, you may want to monitor your alcohol consumption and “extremely” casual behavior while attending receptions and conference parties. BlackMBA • Summer 2008 63

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Black MBA - Summer 2008

Black MBA- Summer 2008 Contents Mailbag Up Front From the President & CEO Politics of Change Catalyst for Change: Results of our 2008 Political Poll Know Whose Shoulders You Stand On: The Legacy of H. Naylor Fitzhugh Howard University: Changing With the Times Straight Talk: CEO to CEO Creating Your Own Sandbox Dual Threats Avoiding the Faux Pa Invest in Your MBA Everything You Need to Know About...Estate Planning On Campus Plan Ahead The Big Show What's in a Name? On the Move Market Forecast Jeff Friday Keith Wyche Life Lessons On the Ground Real Biz A Golden Opportunity Entrepreneurial Institute Tech Tools Read for Success Stacey Tisdale Advertiser Index

Black MBA - Summer 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.