Creating the right first impression

Written by Charlotte Pogson, Graduate Recruitment Manager, British Sugar

The most common questions I get asked when out and about at graduate recruitment fairs and company presentations, is how do you make the best first impression to an employer? I may not be able to answer for all graduate recruiters out there, but I can certainly provide some guidance from our perspective here at British Sugar that will help you stand out from the crowd. In turbulent economic times and when organisations are re-thinking their graduate hiring numbers, applications will become increasingly competitive and it is more critical than ever that not only you as an individual but also your CV stands out.

You've seen the advert in the media. You've read the web site, perhaps several times. But how do you find out what it's really like to work at a company? Open evenings and university milkround events, graduate recruitment fairs and exhibitions are ideal ways to do this. While it's rare these days that you will be interviewed on the spot or be offered a job as a result of meeting somebody at a recruitment fair, these arenas can be invaluable ways to gain further insight into our culture, opportunities and business, as well as to make contacts, if you use them to their full potential.

Firstly, it is so important that you ensure you do your research beforehand. All the fairs have web sites, which list the companies attending. If there are companies you are particularly interested in, it's well worth making sure you're familiar with what we do. Having a level of understanding and familiarity will create a very positive impression; not doing so will do just the opposite. As a recruiter, we expect you to know what we do and we expect you to be able to sell yourself to us. If we get asked "So what do you do?" it can become rather frustrating. Do bring copies of your CV and although many employers, like us, nowadays ask you to complete online application forms, you should have a CV to hand in case somebody asks you for it.

Try to be relaxed and be yourself when talking to us. We are keen to see if you would fit into the team at our company. If you smile and make eye contact, you will go far on first impressions. However when you talk to us be prepared to answer questions about your career motivation - what areas you wish to work in, and what draws you to our company. Some people can speak naturally and at length about these matters. If you're not one of them, run through your ideas, perhaps on paper before the fair, so that you have a 'spiel' ready.

Have some questions to ask us that interest you. It may be that you have some burning questions, which the fair is an ideal opportunity to resolve. If this isn't the case, you would be well advised to think of some to demonstrate interest, and create a positive impression in the recruiters' minds.

Don't approach your favourite employer first. Instead have a couple of conversations with employers which interest you less, in order to familiarise yourself with the kinds of questions they ask, and to get into the swing of things.

If you have a good conversation with somebody, try to get their business card or email address. This is so that you can follow up your chat with a further note to underline your interest in the position(s). Provided you are courteous and strike the right note between professionalism and enthusiasm, this will rarely do any harm to your application, even if it's not able to influence the outcome.

Bear in mind that the personnel attending the events will be a combination of human resources representatives, responsible for the graduate recruitment processes and some of the decision-making; and managers and trainees within business areas, some but not all of whom will also have some input in the selection process.

You will find in many cases that your application is via an online application form, and that you don't have the chance to direct it to the person you spoke to. However if you are able to send them an email so that they have your name in mind, they may, if they were impressed by your enthusiasm and knowledge, be willing and able to put in a vote for you.

Good Luck and maybe we will see you out on campus soon!