How can you maximize your networking opportunities at job fairs?

Pay attention to what their exhibitors do... I used to go to job fairs to answer technical questions and the company that I worked for is GenenCOR, which people often confused with GenenTECH. It would be a huge turn off for me when talking to someone and have them rant about how much they loved to help us in our mission to cure cancer and other diseases... just to let them know that: sorry, GenenCOR does not do anything medical (but it clearly showed me that they did not know who we were). P.S. Genencor was and is one of the largest companies in the world of enzymes, and I had a blast working there. They are now part of IFF.

Prepare in advance. Having a Go-To-Conference strategy is key. Ask yourself, What do you want to get out of the conference? Who do you want to meet? What constitutes a success? And, what constitutes the worst-case scenario for you? Conferences are a great place to make connections, to have meaningful conversations, to advance your business and your personal career. Being prepared, doing the research in advance, and letting attendees know you're going to be there all work well.

A job fair is an excellent place to gather information and make an impression. Leave your resume at home and instead prepare the following materials: - A clean and professional LinkedIn profile. - A clear statement of what you are seeking and why. - Optionally, a business card with an unconventional design. Marketing yourself and standing out is your primary objective at a job fair, so it's essential to have your "marketing" materials polished and ready. Your secondary objective is to learn about the companies and roles that interest you. You can then use this information to tailor your resume accordingly. This approach will be far more effective than handing out your general resume.

Having an "elevator pitch" of yourself is a great way to be prepared. Something quick, concise that invites to a dialogue about different aspects of your career or what you want to do in the future.

Ask questions about the exhibitors' business, ask them to tell you a story about a customer win. Share any applicable insights that you have. Ask them for advice - how to get a role at their company, how to break into the industry, how to engage with them effectively. People love giving advice - use this to strengthen your connection! Tactically, follow "the golden rule" of talking 33% time and listening 67%. Keep in mind that they are there for a reason - they want to make as many valuable connections as possible. Be respectful of this, don't keep them hostage and cap the conversations to 5 minutes max.

And be genuine! Most people have a very good intuition if someone is faking their personality, and this authenticity can significantly enhance networking at job fairs. For example, a genuine expression of interest in a company's latest project, based on prior research, can lead to more engaging discussions than generic queries. Similarly, sharing a personal experience related to the industry can establish a more memorable connection. Remember, meaningful interactions often arise from honest conversations rather than scripted exchanges. Acknowledging and appreciating others' expertise and contributions can also open doors to future opportunities.

The auto answer is a good start, but here's an important practical execution note on how to schedule a meeting. Provide your availability for a call, 4-5 discreet times max. Example: My availability for an intro call is: - Monday (Jan 22) at 2pm PST - Tuesday (Jan 23) at 3pm or 4pm PST - Thursday (Jan 25) at 11am PST Does either of these work? A few things to take note of: - limited availability makes your time appear more valuable - sharing times first makes it easier for the other side to schedule - a call to action prompts a response Finally, follow up with a calendar invite when they respond with a time. These are simple steps, but many people drop the ball here. Doing this will showcase your professionalism and set you apart.

It's actually better to wait a few days, even a week, before following up - unless you and your connection felt it was important to speak immediately. Most people need a few days post-conference to get back inot the swing of things. Make sure you remind the person what you spoke about and offer some value to continue the conversation.

This kind of goes without saying, and almost everything has been said, but I will just add that maximising networking at job fairs in biotechnology requires not just presence but active engagement. Demonstrating knowledge in current trends, like CRISPR technology or bioinformatics, can also generate meaningful conversations. Preparing for fairs by tailoring skills through courses in these emerging areas shows commitment to continuous learning. Reflecting on interactions post-fair, maybe by noting successful conversation starters or areas needing polish, turns experience into a tool for future fairs.

Here's a conference trick that's always worked well for me; go say hi to the person having coffee/lunch on their own. You'll be amazed at the people you can connect with.

Introduce yourself confidently to potential employers with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and an engaging smile. Don't hesitate to ask informed questions, demonstrating your knowledge and enthusiasm. Even if an organization seems outside your field, explore opportunities with them; many companies value diverse skill sets, including those from a liberal arts background. Be ready to succinctly highlight your strengths and relevant experiences, using clear examples. Preparing a brief, impactful "networking pitch" will allow you to present yourself effectively and confidently, making a memorable impression on potential employers.

I will prepare a polished elevator pitch that highlights my skills and career goals. I will research the attending companies beforehand to prioritize my engagements and tailor my questions accordingly. One of the most important things is that I will send personalized emails expressing gratitude and reiterating my interest, aiming to cement connections made and keep myself on their radar for potential opportunities.

Learning how to open conversations is essential. But also knowing how to tactfully leave conversations while offering value is a worthwhile skill.