Attending a career fair can be a great opportunity to connect with potential employers, gain insights into a particular industry, or learn about new job openings. However, the real work doesn't stop at the career fair itself - you need to follow up with recruiters and hiring managers to make a lasting impression and demonstrate your interest in the company or position. But how do you write a follow-up email that will get noticed and increase your chances of getting hired? In this article, we'll cover the essential steps to crafting the perfect follow-up email after a career fair.
Understanding the Importance of a Follow-Up Email
Before we dive into the details of how to write a follow-up email, it's worth highlighting why follow-up emails are essential and can make a real difference in your job search.
Why follow-up emails matter
First and foremost, a follow-up email is an opportunity to thank the recruiter or hiring manager for meeting with you and expressing your continued interest in the job or the company. This not only demonstrates good manners, but it also shows that you are proactive and enthusiastic about the opportunity. Additionally, following up after a career fair helps to keep you top of mind for the recruiter and can increase your chances of getting called back for an interview or receiving an offer.
However, a follow-up email can also serve as an opportunity to address any concerns or questions that may have arisen during the initial meeting. Perhaps there was a particular skill or experience that the recruiter was looking for that you didn't mention during the interview. In your follow-up email, you can highlight how your skills and experience align with the company's needs and show that you are the best candidate for the job.
Making a lasting impression
Another critical aspect of a follow-up email is the chance to stand out from other candidates. While many job seekers will attend career fairs and hand out resumes, sending a thoughtful and well-crafted follow-up email can help you make a lasting impression and stand out from the crowd. It's an opportunity to personalize your communication and highlight your key strengths and qualifications.
When crafting your follow-up email, be sure to include specific details from your conversation with the recruiter or hiring manager. Reference any particular projects or initiatives that the company is working on and explain how your skills and experience can contribute to their success. This will demonstrate that you have done your research and are genuinely interested in the company and the job.
Finally, don't forget to proofread your follow-up email carefully. A well-written and error-free email will leave a better impression than one that is full of typos and grammatical errors.
Preparing to Write Your Follow-Up Email
Now that we've covered why follow-up emails are important, let's explore the steps to take before you write your email.
Organizing your contacts
The first step in writing a follow-up email is organizing your contacts. At a career fair, you may have spoken with several recruiters or hiring managers, so it's essential to keep track of who you talked to and what company they represented. Create a list of contacts with their name, title, and company name, along with any relevant notes or details of your conversation.
Reflecting on your conversations
It's also useful to reflect on your conversations with each contact and identify specific points that you can mention in your follow-up email. This could include topics such as the position you discussed, the company's mission or values, or any specific skills or qualifications they mentioned they were looking for in a candidate. By referencing these details in your email, you can demonstrate that you paid attention and are genuinely interested in the opportunity.
Identifying key points to mention
Finally, it's crucial to identify the key points you want to mention in your follow-up email. This could include highlighting your relevant experience or skills, expressing your enthusiasm for the position, or reiterating your gratitude for the recruiter's time and insights.
Crafting the Perfect Follow-Up Email
With the preparation work done, it's time to start crafting your follow-up email. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:
Choosing the right subject line
The subject line is the first thing the recruiter will see when they receive your email, so it's important to make it clear, concise, and attention-grabbing. Try to include your name, the company, and the position you discussed, e.g., "Follow-up from John Smith - Interested in Marketing Coordinator Position at XYZ Company."
Personalizing your message
When you start drafting your follow-up email, it's a good idea to personalize it as much as possible. Use the recruiter's name (spelled correctly!) and reference specific details from your conversation, such as the company's culture or a project they mentioned. This demonstrates that you're not just sending a generic template email and that you took the time to craft a thoughtful message.
Highlighting your skills and qualifications
Your follow-up email is an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and qualifications. Be sure to reference any specific requirements you discussed with the recruiter and give examples of how you meet those requirements. This could include sharing relevant experience, highlighting relevant coursework or certifications, or showcasing your relevant skills.
Expressing gratitude and interest
Finally, don't forget to express your gratitude for the recruiter's time and insights and reiterate your interest in the opportunity. Let them know that you're excited about the possibility of joining their team and look forward to hearing back from them.
Timing Your Follow-Up Email
A key question when it comes to follow-up emails is timing - when is the best time to send your email?
When to send your email
As a general rule, it's a good idea to send your follow-up email within 24-48 hours of the career fair. This demonstrates that you're proactive and interested in the opportunity. If you wait too long, you risk the recruiter forgetting who you are or losing interest in your application.
Following up with multiple contacts
If you spoke with several recruiters at the career fair, it's essential to customize each follow-up email for the specific contact and company. This demonstrates that you took the time to craft individual messages and are genuinely interested in each opportunity. However, you don't want to overwhelm the recruiter with too many emails, so it's a good idea to space them out over a few days or a week.
