Want to Recruit Social Media Experts? Host a Breakfast for Them.

The Twin Cities’ Social Media Breakfast was recently held at Deluxe Corporation. The event focused on small businesses and their use of social media. At the event, a panel of small business owners discussed how they currently use social networks to strengthen and expand customer base.

What has this got to do with recruiting? Well, Deluxe is re-making itself from the leading printer of checks into an information technology consulting firm for small and medium sized businesses. Let’s say you own a restaurant and want to build a powerful social media presence to drive loads and loads of new and repeat business. Who do you call? Deluxe wants you to call them. So how does a recruiting team get in front of a bunch of social media gurus? One great idea is to host a social media breakfast and invite everyone in your metro in that space. Then they can learn more about you while you learn more about them. Most won’t be interested in you and/or you won’t be interested in them for one reason or another, but if dozens or even hundreds of potential hires attend, how can you go wrong?

Take a peak at footage and pictures from the event!

Preparing for a job fair

You recently heard somewhere that a job fair is an excellent way to meet lots of potential employers and maximize your job search time. The problem is, how do you find job fairs and what do you do once you’ve found them?
To locate upcoming job fairs:
- Review media, including free job publications. Don’t forget to check radio and TV stations.
- Check your target companies’ Career section Web sites. They’ll often promote job fairs they’re attending.
- Contact college career service offices in your area. They regularly conduct or know of job fairs. Non-students or alumni may be welcome.
- Search the Internet using the key words “job fair” or “career fair” and your city and state.
- Bookmark your favorite job search resources for upcoming job fairs and locations, as well as preparation tips.
To prepare for a job fair, follow these suggestions:
- Register for the job fair in advance. Be sure to get a copy of the hiring company exhibitors.
- Select the companies you’re most interested in and research their Web sites, annual reports and recent media coverage. Talk to your networking contacts. Your goal is to thoroughly understand what the companies do and how you can bring value to them
- Develop your “elevator pitch” that explains what you do, what you bring to the table, and how this aligns with the company’s business. Remember, you’re there to demonstrate what you can do for them, not what they can do for you.
- Develop a list of questions to ask. The worst question you can ask at a job fair is, “What do you do?” A more appropriate question might be, “I saw in your most recent annual report that you are expanding your marketing operations. Will graphic designers be part of that expansion? I have a graphic design degree and have been recognized for….”
While at the job fair, make sure you:
- Seek out your targeted companies and introduce yourself with a firm handshake and confident demeanor.
- Pitch your candidacy for a position.
- Ask questions and make a connection.
- Get business cards of people you meet at the booths.
Note: Even if the company is not hiring for your particular skills at the time, if it’s a company of interest to you, make an effort to meet the company representatives and establish a connection you can follow up on after the job fair.
Once the job fair is over, what’s next? If you collected business cards, you should immediately send a thank you note and reinforce your skills. Note something from the job fair you said or did that will help the recipient recall you. About one or two weeks after the job fair, follow up by telephone, as well.
Sharon DeLay is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and Certified Professional Career Coach. You can visit her at Permanent Ink Professional Development Services or e-mail her for more information.
© 2008 Permanent Ink Professional Development Services