Job Fair Preparation Tips

7 Things You Must Research Before Any Job Interview (If You Want To Win The Offer): 1. The Company’s Current Status Is the company growing rapidly? Are they stagnant? Are they in decline? Knowing the current status of the organization is the first step to understanding how to frame your value proposition. 2. The Company’s Goals What are the big goals the company has for the next 6-12 months? Check out annual reports, earnings calls, executive interviews, etc. Learning what these are will help you align your pitch to show how you can specifically help them achieve these goals. 3. The Company’s Challenges There are going to be challenges on the path to achieving those goals. Check out reports from financial analysts, news articles, executive interviews, and product reviews to learn what they are. Then weave these challenges into your pitch, along with potential solutions you can offer. 4. The Company’s Big Initiatives What initiatives is the company launching to overcome those challenges or achieve those goals? Work to understand what they are, who’s involved, and their strategy for each. The role you’re interviewing for is likely a part of one of these. 5. The Leadership Team Run a search for “[Company] Leadership Team.” For each executive: - Look them up on LinkedIn - Search for interviews/keynotes - Look for articles they’ve published Their vision and statements will tell you where the company is headed. 6. Recent Updates & News Run a Google News search for the company name. Filter for past 30 days, then past 3 months, then past 6 months. Read several articles from each timeframe to establish a timeline of what’s happened over the last six months. 7. Company Culture - Check out Glassdoor reviews - Look up current employees on LinkedIn - Speak to former employees if possible - Find interviews or articles from execs on culture And make sure this is a place that you want to spend 40 hours/week.

Most students walk away from career fairs with free pens. I walked away with 2 internships. Here’s exactly how I did it — and how you can too. ⏳ Career Fair success starts before the fair. Not during. Not the night before. Weeks before. 🔍 Step 1: Research smart Pick 10–15 companies you’d actually want to work for. If you're an international student, check myvisajobs.com to find visa sponsors fast. I used this strategy to land an internship at American Airlines. They were working on predictive analytics to cut flight delays — so I pitched how my final project on time series forecasting could help. 🎓 One thing Dr. B.P.S. Murthi taught us stuck with me: Don’t act like a student. Act like a consultant. Know the company’s problems — and show how you can solve one. 💡 Use this ChatGPT prompt: “Summarize what [Company] does, who their customers are, and 3 challenges they’re likely solving. Then explain how a student or intern could help.” 🤝 Step 2: Connect early Search [Company] + University Recruiter on LinkedIn. ✅ Connect. ✅ Send a short message on LinkedIn/ cold email: “Hi [Name], I’m [Your Name], a [Major] student at [University]. Looking forward to meeting [Company] at the career fair — especially curious how your team handles [project/problem].” One recruiter replied: "Thanks for reaching out — excited to chat more about your project!" That message made the booth conversation effortless. 📊 Step 3: Walk in with a tracker Use a simple Excel sheet: | Company | Recruiter | Role | Notes | Example: | American Airlines | Sarah J. | Data Analyst Intern | Mention time series forecasting + automation | | Dell | Priya S. | Data Intern | Ask about GenAI + internal LLM use cases | 💬 Use this ChatGPT prompt: “Here’s their LinkedIn profile. Here’s mine. Give me 3 conversation starters I can use.” 📇 Step 4: Go digital + Print Business Cards Make business cards with a QR code to your LinkedIn or resume. → Canva: design your card → HiHello or Beaconstac: create a QR code → Vistaprint: get it printed 🧠 I added a tagline under my name: "Turning messy data into decisions." 🖼️ Add a small photo so they remember your face. ✍️ Write a quick note on the card after each chat: “Enjoyed talking about data automation!” Most students show up. Few stand out. So you better be that person. 📌 Next up → how to build a tracker + elevator pitch that actually gets remembered. #CareerFairSeason #InternshipTips #DataAnalytics #JobSearchStrategy #InternationalStudents #NetworkingTips #CareerDevelopment #LinkedInTips #StudentSuccess #CollegeToCareer

How Investment Bankers Research a Company Researching companies and industries is part of my daily work. Here are the key tools I use: 1. Annual Reports – The foundation for understanding financials and management’s vision. 2. Concall Transcripts – Insights straight from the management about performance, challenges, and plans. 3. Analyst Briefings & Investor Presentations – Summarized operational metrics and key highlights. 4. Credit Reports – Detailed analysis of liquidity and creditworthiness by agencies like S&P and Moody’s. 5. Equity Research Reports – Broker reports with projections, valuations, and market insights. 6. Industry Reports – Understand trends and competitive dynamics globally and locally. 7. Tools (CapIQ, Bloomberg, Factset) – Paid tools that consolidate all data efficiently. These tools have been invaluable in my research process. What tools or strategies do you rely on for company analysis? Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s learn from each other!

When raising our $780k pre-seed, I spent much time thinking about how to pitch and not enough time on what to pitch for different situations. Here are the three pitches founders need to have in their back pocket. 1️⃣ 1-Minute Elevator Pitch Perfect for networking sessions where you have little time to make an impression. Keep it concise and impactful by focusing on these key points - 1. Company - your company and mission statement. 2. Vision - what the world looks like if you’re successful. 3. Traction - revenue, # of users, etc. 4. The Ask - details of your raise Here’s my elevator pitch for Chezie: “Chezie is poised to help 57,000+ companies around the world create better products, build more inclusive workplaces, and ultimately drive business results by reimagining what’s possible with their most underutilized asset: employee resource groups.” 2️⃣ 5-Minute Vision Pitch Ideal for pitch competitions and accelerator interviews where you have a bit more time to elaborate but still need to be concise. Include these elements - 1. Company 2. Traction 3. Problem - explain the problem you solve and for whom you solve it. 4. Solution - explain your product/service. 5. Vision 6. Team - Highlight your team's strengths and expertise. 7. The Ask 3️⃣ 10-Minute Full Pitch To be used for traditional, one-on-one investor meetings where you can provide a detailed overview of your startup. Cover all bases with these points: 1. Company 2. Traction 3. Problem 4. Solution 5. Vision 6. Market Opportunity - detail the size of your market and how you calculated it. 7. Business Model - describe how your company makes money. 8. Competition - review your competitors and what makes you different. 9. Go to Market - explain how you get in front of customers. 10. Team 11. The Ask Knowing what to pitch for is as important as knowing how to pitch! Change these based on what works for you, but this should be a good starting point for underrepresented founders. #blackfounders #fundraising #pitches

I had a moment the other week where I gave a literal "elevator pitch." On-site with a big account, and a 6-figure deal in my pipeline. (Sidenote: it's always worth the travel to go see a big account.) I spent the day meeting with VP Sales, RevOps, Enablement, a whole group. But the one key person I hadn't yet met was their CRO. Until I was on my way to catch an Uber back to the airport, and he steps into the elevator. (He has no clue who I am or why I'm there at this point.) I say hi, he says hi. Then I mention he's built a sharp team, and I got a chance to meet them all. So naturally, he asks the old, "So what do you do?" question. This is my favorite way to answer that, with a simple framework you can use for your own "elevator pitch." (It's still comical to me we were in an actual elevator.) ______ (1) You know how ___________? ^ setup the situation / problem you focus on. (2) Well, you’re probably doing X, and it works really well. But it can’t Y. ^ you want them to feel like, "Oh man, you're so right" after sharing this. (3) So we let you do X and Y. How are you thinking about this? ^ you did a good job here if you get some version of "tell me more" after, and personally, I like ending with a question. _____ For me, that sounded like: (1) You know how buying teams have to sell you to their own execs, when your reps aren't in the room? (2) Well, you already have a Value Team writing business cases to help buyers in $1M+ deals, which works. But it's hard to scale downmarket. (3) So we let Commercial / MM reps generate these, with exec summaries not just ROI models. Which means you get the win rate you do upmarket — in a process that keeps pace with higher velocity deals. How are you thinking about business cases in MM? _____ Works just as well outside of an elevator too. Give it a shot this week.

Business casual is a dress code that strikes a balance between formal business attire and casual wear. It’s typically less rigid than traditional office wear (like suits and ties) but more polished than everyday casual clothing, offering a professional yet relaxed look. Key Features of Business Casual For Men: • Shirts: Collared shirts such as button-downs, polos, or Oxford shirts. Avoid t-shirts. • Pants: Chinos, dress slacks, or khakis. Avoid jeans unless explicitly allowed. • Jackets (optional): Blazers or sport coats for a polished touch. • Shoes: Loafers, brogues, or leather shoes. Avoid sneakers or sandals. For Women: • Tops: Blouses, tailored tops, or knit sweaters. Avoid overly casual t-shirts or tank tops. • Bottoms: Dress pants, skirts (knee-length or longer), or tailored trousers. Avoid shorts or distressed jeans. • Dresses: Simple, knee-length dresses that aren’t too revealing. • Shoes: Flats, loafers, or low-to-mid heels. Avoid overly casual footwear like flip-flops. What Business Casual is NOT: • For Men & Women: • Ripped or distressed jeans • Graphic t-shirts or hoodies • Shorts • Flip-flops or athletic sneakers • Overly flashy or casual outfits Situations Where Business Casual is Appropriate 1. Office Settings: For companies with a relaxed dress code. 2. Networking Events: Casual meetups or professional mixers. 3. Client Meetings: When formal attire isn’t required. 4. Conferences & Seminars: Unless the dress code specifies otherwise. Quick Tips to Nail Business Casual 1. Keep It Neutral: Stick to subtle, neutral, or muted colors like navy, beige, black, white, or gray. 2. Layer Wisely: A blazer or cardigan can instantly elevate your look. 3. Grooming Matters: Even casual outfits should be paired with a neat and polished appearance. 4. Adapt to Industry Norms: Business casual in a tech startup may be different from business casual in a law firm. In the 3 pictures which one isn't Business Casual? Comment below #imagemanagement #executivepresence #communicationskills

I noticed a pattern among the most stand-out 30 second introductions I hear from founders. Think about all those offline meet-ups, when you introduce yourself on a webinar, bump into someone at an event, etc. Those moments where you get just a quick few seconds to make an impression. And hopefully stand out from the other folks doing the same. I've done a ton of events last year and the intros that stood out to meet all had the same 3 parts to them: 1. What's the hook? The unique insight you have about the problem or what's changing 'now' that can make a big difference to the consumer. 2. What's the 'grandma test' version? If you were to explain your solution to her in 10 seconds would she get it. Of course, this will not be in depth and will not capture the depth of what you're building. But is that version exciting to get you a follow up meeting? 3. Where's the business? Many early founders focus so much on building their product, they don't talk about what the business will be. Talk about what customers will pay for. Why will they come back. How will you get customers as you grow. Once you have these, practice! Some of those chance encounters won't come back. Practice and perfect what you want to say. Good luck with all your 'elevator pitches' in 2025! #d2cindia #founderlife #enterpreneurship

“Career Fairs Are a Waste of Time! All You Get Is a Free Pen and Some Coffee!” I get it, it’s easy to feel that way. We’ve all been there, leaving with a handful of goodies but no job offer. But remember what Richard L. Evans said: “Don’t let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.” In reality, every step counts, and career fairs are no exception. They’re more than just networking events; they’re opportunities to make an impression, expand your network, and show up prepared. You can absolutely walk away with something valuable if you approach it right. Here are some tips to make your next career fair worthwhile: 1. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: Know who will be there, and prioritize the ones aligned with your career goals. Look up their open roles and understand what they’re looking for. 2. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡: Be ready to introduce yourself concisely and highlight your skills. What makes you unique? Why would you be an asset to them? 3. 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐬: Customize your resume to highlight skills relevant to the companies you’re interested in. You want recruiters to remember you and see you as a serious candidate. 4. 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Instead of just asking about roles, ask about company culture, the day-to-day, and upcoming projects. Show genuine interest in what they’re doing. 5. 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐔𝐩: Don’t just collect business cards; send a follow-up email to reinforce your interest and thank them for their time. This keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your professionalism. Attending a career fair is just one piece of the puzzle. It’s what you do before, during, and after that truly counts. Every step you take moves you closer to where you want to be. Make it count! All the best, may Allah ease our journey. Ameen. -FA-

Researching a company during your job search goes beyond looking at the “About Us” page of their website. Here are 3 ways you can research a company: 👉🏾 Dig deeper on the company website Get to know the key leaders of the company. Search for information on the company’s mission, values, products, or services offered. Visit the ‘Careers’ page. Look at the current job openings and whether they mention the hiring managers. 💫Pro tip: Pay attention to themes repeated on the website. It will help you assess whether the company's values align with your interests and goals. 👉🏾 Browse the company’s social media accounts This will help you understand the workplace culture, events, and updates on products or services. Browse through comments and reviews posted by their customers. A company’s LinkedIn profile is a good way to dig up relevant information such as key leaders, jobs posted, events, press releases, company statistics, and so much more... 💫 Pro Tip: If you are using LinkedIn for your search, do ensure your own profile is updated and highlights your accomplishments. 👉🏾 Look at the news I like looking at the news and business sites to get information on an organization’s reputation. You will gain insight into recent layoffs, acquisitions, mergers, or new appointments. I often encourage my clients to take note of some of these details for their cover letters or interviews. 💫 Pro tip: Make a list of 10-15 companies you are targeting and set up Google Alerts, so you stay informed on current events at the company. Have you tried any of these strategies? Let me know in the comments 👇🏾 #careers #hiringandpromotion

💼 Rejection is tough—but here’s why your resume might not be working. Even when you’re highly qualified, it’s frustrating to get passed over for a role you know you’re perfect for. One of the most common mistakes I see? ❌ Overstuffing your resume with every skill and job you’ve ever had. You might think showcasing your versatility makes you stand out, but it often leaves employers confused about how your experience aligns with the role. The solution? A targeted, streamlined approach that highlights your value and matches the job expectations. Here’s how to do it: 1️⃣ Understand What Employers Need Start by analyzing the job description. Look for keywords and skills mentioned repeatedly—they’re the clues to what the employer values most. 👉 Tip: Ask yourself, “What problem are they trying to solve, and how can I position myself as the solution?” 2️⃣ Match Your Experience to Their Needs Highlight the skills and accomplishments that directly align with the role. Provide examples that demonstrate how you’ve applied these skills to solve problems or deliver results. 👉 Example: Instead of saying, “Managed multiple projects,” say, “Led cross-functional teams to deliver 15+ projects on time and under budget, driving a 20% increase in efficiency.” 3️⃣ Speak Their Language Use industry-specific terminology from the job description to describe your experience. This not only helps with ATS systems but also shows you understand their world. 👉 Example: Replace vague phrases like “collaborated on team goals” with specifics like “optimized workflows using Agile methodologies to improve delivery speed by 25%.” 💡 Key Takeaway: The goal of your resume isn’t just to get noticed—it’s to position yourself as the perfect solution to the employer’s problem. Focus on alignment and clarity, and you’ll turn more views into interviews. What’s one tweak you’ve made to your resume that worked wonders? Let’s share insights below! 💬👇 #ResumeTips #CareerGrowth #JobSearch #RecruiterAdvice #ProfessionalBranding