Harry Chang
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The job market is always changing. So it should come as no surprise that Cal Poly’s career fair is changing, too.
This quarter, the triannual job showcase promises to be as unique as ever, with a record number of companies already tapped for the two-day event, as well as an unprecedented number of students expected to pack the Recreation Center floor on Oct. 8 and 9.
The Fall Career Fair marks students’ first opportunity of the year to meet and make impressions on potential employers.
“We have more students at this event than any,” Career Services Events Coordinator Soukita Thipsouvanh said. “Last year for the fall quarter fair, we had the largest student turnout ever, and this year, with over 235 companies and 805 reps coming, it’s going to be be packed.”
Another reason for organizers’ high hopes comes from the addition of big-name companies to go along with usual crowd-draws such as Yahoo, Apple Inc. and Local Branch.
Yelp, Hulu, Nest, Google and Amazon are among the fair’s notable company names, Thipsouvanh said. This year’s event will welcome 38 new companies, too.
She said San Francisco is one of the best areas for young professionals to launch their careers. Several startups based in the city will debut at this quarter’s fair in search of young, ambitious talent.
Tammy Martin, program coordinator and College of Engineering specialist, advised students that the key to career fair success is to have a good strategy.
“First of all, don’t show up and say, ‘Who’s here and who should I go talk to?’ Because then, really, you’ve already missed out,” Martin said. “Instead, figure out how much time you have to visit companies each day, log onto MustangJOBS to research companies and then see which ones you’re most interested in so you can develop a priority order to maximize your time.”
Kabir Ghai, a business senior and seasoned career fair veteran who recently found work at a promising Silicon Valley startup, MightyText, emphasized a similar strategy.
“I try to be as quick as possible with each company so that I can visit as many as I can,” he said. “Also, I try to only wait in a few long lines. Companies who don’t have lines are more likely to hear you out and not get you mixed up with the hundreds of other faces they saw that day.”
When at the fair, Martin also advised students to be confident, as companies target personality along with experience.
“Anytime you have face-to-face contact, it’s golden,” Martin said. “You’re not just a piece of paper. You can express interest in a way that you just can’t on a piece of paper.”
In addition, Martin recommended students prepare a short pitch that shows employers how they have gained the skills on their resume—through projects, internships or extracurriculars—instead of merely stating what those skills are.
Ghai agreed.
“I always try to open with a compelling, quick ‘commercial’ about myself,” Ghai said. “I state my specific goals, how the company can help me reach them and how I envision I can help them.”
According to Thipsouvanh, a forward approach like this can lead to new opportunities.
“Most of the employers are going to stay and conduct afternoon interviews,” she said. “Ask them. If they’re not, maybe they’re coming back to campus to do them. But always express your interest. In the end, there’s always an opportunity to gain, and even for freshmen and sophomores, it’s a great opportunity to explore what kind of companies are out there.”
So expect larger crowds, expect a dizzying number of company booths and expect some pressure — but whatever you do, don’t expect to leave empty-handed.
The Career Fair takes place on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 in the Recreation Center. Networking opportunities run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., while interviews last from 1:30-4:40 p.m.