MBS Executive Coach and Instructor Abbe Rosenthal kicked off the start of the school year with a Virtual Friday to prepare students for the upcoming Rutgers Fall Career & Internship Mega Fair, an in-person event where Rutgers students and alumni can network with employers to discuss job and internship opportunities. The career and internship mega fair spans four days and draws over 400 employers—making it a great opportunity for MBS students to practice their networking skills, discuss job opportunities with employers, and learn more about companies that interest them.
This Virtual Friday was held over Zoom. In this interactive and engaging session, MBS students had their questions answered and walked away with actionable tips to help them prepare to take full advantage of this opportunity.
Here are some tips Rosenthal shared with students:
Take advantage of Handshake.
Rosenthal recommended uploading your resume as a PDF file and aligning it with your desired role.
Prepare beforehand.
Know which employers are attending on which days (you can find the list of employers on the Career Fair website). Use this to strategize which days make the most sense for your concentration or interest.
Additionally, she suggests that students research employers. The most important pages to visit are their press releases, mission/vision/values, and products and services.
Present yourself professionally.
Rosenthal reminded MBS students that they are all current or future leaders, and first impressions matter—including how you dress. She highlighted a valuable resource available to all Rutgers students: The Career Closet of Rutgers—New Brunswick, where Rutgers students can choose an item of new or gently used professional attire.
When interviewing online, Rosenthal suggested always using a virtual background.
Develop your personal pitch.
Rosenthal emphasized that MBS students must develop their own personal, authentic pitch. She provided tips on how to develop your personal pitch:
- Aim for a 90-second to two-minute introduction. Be authentic, concise, and highlight what sets you apart.
- Leverage your MBS degree by emphasizing the unique blend of science and business, your concentration, and past experiences relevant to the company or role.
- Turn a monologue into a dialogue by engaging the recruiter and asking questions about the role or organization.
Don’t forget to practice your pitch beforehand.
Create a list of questions for employers.
Rosenthal suggested students prepare thoughtful questions beforehand and shared several examples:
- “Do you have any questions for me?” Don’t be afraid to ask what else they are interested in learning about you, or what they find interesting about your pitch.
- “Are you currently hiring in…?” Ask if they are hiring in your area.
Rosenthal ended with one final tip: to be authentic to yourself. After the session concluded, she stayed on to answer additional questions from students.
The Rutgers Fall Career & Internship Mega Fair is an opportunity to learn, practice, and connect. Visit the Career Exploration and Success website to learn more about the Rutgers Fall Career & Internship Mega Fair.