SO YOU WANT TO BE NOTICED AT ASPIRE®?

The biggest talent networking fair in Malaysia ASPIRE® is happening real soon (20 and 21 May 2017 at KL Convention Centre) and over 40,000 talent will be making their way to explore what’s in stored for them career-wise!

With so many other people vying for the same job/role as you and more than 150 potential employers on ground at ASPIRE®, you really need to stand out and make sure you get noticed. First impressions count in this situation – so how are you going to make yourself memorable and more importantly, employable?

Here are some tips the GRADUAN® team put together – consider it your cheat sheet for ASPIRE®!

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN!

Before you head out to ASPIRE®, make sure to plan out your trip. Who will be there that you want to talk to? Take the time to research each company that you plan to speak with – they have websites with corporate info that you can use to your advantage when speaking to the HR rep. Make every recruiter you speak to feel like your top choice – that way, they will pay more attention to what you have to offer and have a higher tendency to remember you.

Q&A

Prepare some questions you would like to ask the person you will be speaking with. But not basic info that you can get off the company’s website; more like specific questions on the job role so that you can weave in how your skills will be handy or about something you read on the website to show that you’ve done your research prior to the fair. Or ask about things that you won’t get on the website – training for staff, company culture, prospects.

BRING LOTS OF RESUME COPIES

You’ll be handing them out a lot during the fair so come prepared. Be sure to create a few different resumes depending on the type of position you are applying for. You don’t have to give an employer a resume that has nothing to do with the position they are hiring for.

DRESS THE PART!

Would you go for a job interview in jeans and T-shirt? Of course not. So why dress that way when you are at ASPIRE®? If you want to be noticed, dress like you would if you were working – business casual, which means slacks and a collared shirt for men, slacks or a skirt and blouse or a dress for women. Dress like you mean it and future employers will treat you like you are serious about a career.

CAP THE NERVES!

Leave your anxiety at the door and be confident, even if your nerves are getting to you! If you act all nervous and awkward around potential employers, chances are they won’t be interested in hiring you. Act like you deserve the job you want.

BUT DON’T BE TOO SMART ABOUT IT!

On the other side of the spectrum, being overly confident will also turn off recruiters. Nobody wants to hire a smart alec, so don’t act like you know everything under the sun.

FOLLOW UP

OK, this actually happens after the fair but it is still important to take note of. Send a brief note or email to the employers you spoke with at the fair to reiterate your interest in working for them. This tells your employers that you paid attention, are serious about the job and most importantly, the right person for hire.

Now, put these tips in use and see you soon at ASPIRE®!