You did it! You went to the career fair, you passed out your resume and business cards, had a few conversations, and now you’re done. But, are you really? One crucial part of career and job fairs comes after you’ve gone home — the follow up.
Why Follow Up?
Following up can make a big impression to a recruiter. First, it shows that you valued their time at the career fair. Talking to hundreds of people about your company can be tiring, and hearing that someone appreciates it is always nice.
Second, it shows that you are serious about the position. Taking the time after the initial conversation to reach out to the recruiter shows that you are serious about your interest in an opportunity. It also shows that you are willing to do a little extra to get the position, which says good things about your work ethic.
Finally, it makes you memorable. After speaking with people day after day, a recruiter most likely won’t remember every single person. Sending a follow up email reminds the recruiter who you are and creates a connection that could be useful in getting a career opportunity, either now or in the future.
How to Follow Up
You don’t have to follow up the minute you get home, but you’ll want to do it within the next 24 to 48 hours. Recruiters see and speak with many individuals at each fair, which means waiting too long risks them forgetting who you are. Sending an email is standard for a follow up. You’ll want to send it directly to the recruiter you spoke to, so make sure to grab their business card at the fair.
If you spoke to several people from the same company, send them each an email separately. Make sure not to copy and paste the same message to each recruiter, as this could seem careless or apathetic. You can use the same basic layout, but take the time to add something personal to each email.
What to Include
Your follow up email should be short and to the point. Recruiters are busy people and may not have time to read a long email. Short and sweet will do the trick. Start by thanking the recruiter for their time, and include the name or location of the fair that you met them.
Including something personal from the conversation is always a good idea. This makes you more memorable, and helps the recruiter connect your email address to the person they met. If you spoke about a specific position, you can include that in the email as well. Finally end with another thank you and your name.
Before sending the email, always be sure to proofread it. A spelling mistake or grammar issue may send the wrong message to the recruiter who is reading it. It only takes a minute and can make a big difference when trying to get a career opportunity.
Follow up emails can be tricky, and you may be unsure of what to say. If you need help writing a follow up email, or need help with anything else career related, the CPDC is here to help. Stop by during drop in hours (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 am – 11:00 am and Tuesday, Thursday 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm) or email us at cpdc@nichols.edu to make an appointment.
