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Special Tips for Campus Interviews
A campus job fair can be a great way to obtain job leads, or just to gain experience in interviewing. Companies frequently visit colleges and universities to invite students to apply and interview before graduation. Even if you are not going to be graduating right away, you will want to attend job fairs to get a feel for what employers are looking for. Doing a few interviews when the pressure is not yet on can help avoid disastrous gaffes when graduation is rapidly approaching and it becomes increasingly critical to get a job lined up.
However, campus interviews should never be treated as trivial. A student should grasp the opportunity with the same diligence that one would approach any other interview and strive to convey an impression of professionalism and competence. A poor impression made when you still have two or three years of school to complete may come back to haunt you when you are about to graduate and really want a job with the company you treated slightingly.
Research the companies that are going to visit your school. Know what kinds of positions they will be looking to fill, so you can anticipate the questions you are likely to be asked. Know their products and markets so that you can ask intelligent questions about their line of business.
Be aware of your competition. Particularly in a tight job market, you cannot let yourself appear to be merely good enough. You will want to be able to present yourself as outstanding and distinct from the ordinary, yet conservative and reliable.
Make sure that you know the requirements for interviewing. If you need to make an advance appointment, have it lined up in good time. If you should bring a one-page resumé, make sure it fits on a single page and is printed on high-quality paper in a clear font.
Make certain you know the time for interviews and arrive promptly. Punctuality is absolutely essential for reassuring a potential employer that you are a reliable worker.
When the interviewer asks you questions, fit your answers to the mission and vision of the company. By doing so you show that you understand how you would fit into the corporate culture and that you are a team player.
Most of all, it is absolutely essential to project confidence in yourself and your ability to do a job. No matter what kind of job you are applying for, employers want to see people who take a positive attitude about work and their lives.
The campus interview process, whether in a large job fair or the visit of a single company, is an important step in your transition from being a student to becoming a part of the working world. Make the most of it!
