Learn How to Perform a One-Minute Miracle

By Kevin Gray, Associate Editor, Job Choices magazine. Excerpted from JobWeb with permission of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, copyright holder.

---

Follow the Formula

College career counselors and employers alike suggest following a formula for your introduction. According to them, students should provide the following information during their introduction.

• Name

• Class (senior, junior, sophomore)

• Major
• 
Opportunities that you are seeking
• 
Relevant experience (work, internship, volunteer work)
• 
Highlights of skills and strengths

• Knowledge of the company

Tailor your introduction to each employer based on good research and knowledge of each company — this will generally impress recruiters. Ted Bouras, director of the Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Business School, says you should articulate how you’ll fit in with the company based upon your research.

Do your research before the career fair. A list of employers attending is usually available prior to the event through the career services office. Most companies have websites that provide information about their products and services. Other resources such as annual reports, press releases, and newspaper coverage are also very helpful and can usually be found on the Internet or in the library with a little digging.

Ask an Engaging Question

Tracey Cross-Baker, associate director of career services and leadership education at St. Lawrence University, suggests that you end your introduction by asking a focused question that will engage the employer in conversation. Robert Jankouskas, human resources analyst for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, said he often remembers students by the questions they ask during career fairs.

Cross-Baker suggests asking: “Could you tell me more about the new (product) you are developing?"  Or “Could you tell me more about your financial management training program?”

Several things career services counselors and employers say you should avoid doing include:

• Asking what the company does
• 
Asking if the company has any jobs

• When asked what type of position you are seeking, saying you would be willing to do anything at the company


Practice to Perfection

Many career services counselors recommend practicing your introduction. "Winging it" is not a very wise plan of action, especially when a potential job is at stake.

You'll project confidence and charisma during your introduction if you are comfortable with what you are saying. Remember, the words that you say are just part of your presentation package to potential employers. Your overall manner and confidence are also critical components to the successful introduction. Of course, your confidence and personality should be obvious, but not in an exaggerated or cocky way . . . just a professional one.

Incorporate positive nonverbal communications, such as eye contact, facial expressions, body language, posture, etc. A mirror, a friend, and/ or a career services staff member are all good practice partners. Ask for constructive criticism and then try it again. Take the adage "practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect" to heart.

A solid introduction will help you move on to the important next step — the interview. A poor introduction, however, may put you on a slippery slope to the cutting room floor.

Sample Introduction

Here’s a sample introduction from a fictional college senior at Catalina College’s annual career fair. She is an economics major and is about to speak with a recruiter from the Acme Financial Corp. 

"Hello. My name is Kathy Thompson, and I am a senior economics major at Catalina College.

I noticed on Acme Financial’s website that you have openings for financial managers, and I am interested in a position in this capacity.

Last summer, I had an internship with Johnson Financial and was able to participate in a variety of company operations. The most interesting project I worked on was redesigning the company’s service demonstration events for the Southern California region. This was invaluable training because it afforded me greater insight into the finance industry and allowed me to show my ability as a team player.

Perhaps best of all, it confirmed my desire to become a financial manager for a top-10 firm, such as Acme Financial. I have been following your company’s expansion into the greater Los Angeles area in the L.A. Times. I also read in Acme Financial’s annual report that it is considering establishing operations elsewhere in Southern California.

Could you tell more more about this proposed expansion? Could you also tell me about your financial management training program?"