Employers are not going to come to you. You have to go out and create opportunities for yourself to land that dream job. The career fair is an occasion to create opportunities, but how do you do that? Maybe, by writing a follow-up Email. Here, let’s know how to write a Follow-Up Email After A Career Fair?
Once the Career Fair concludes, Recruiters do not directly contact potential employers until it’s necessary for them. They do not go through every resume, and when they get Emails from potential applicants, Chances are they will give them a call for an Interview. So, you have to create an opportunity by writing a follow-up Email and making an impression to expect a call for an interview.
‘’Success doesn’t come and find you, You have to go out and get it.’’
What is a Career Fair?
A Career Fair or Career Expo is an event where various Companies and Job-seekers can interact. The recruiters require employees, and the potential employees are looking for a job. It’s a win-win situation for both parties.
Career Fairs or job expos are organized in Cities, Universities, Schools, and other venues. The objective of a Career Fair is to let job seekers know about various companies and job positions, about the skills required as a working professional, What are the goals and objectives of different companies? etc., so they can decide what is suitable for them and apply accordingly.
A company tries to meet potential candidates and collect resumes so they can hire potential employees. If they have any vacancies, and see it as a marketing opportunity to present their brand in front of a larger audience.
What is a Follow Up Email?
Imagine you attended the Career Fair and got to know many interesting things about many companies. You are interested in working for a few of them as they align with your career goals, and you are qualified enough to have a chance at an interview. This is where follow-up Emails play a crucial role. By writing a follow-up Email, you are creating an opportunity to secure a job that you want.
A follow-up email connects you to a potential employer and can get you a chance at an Interview. The recruiters do not contact candidates directly. They have already started receiving Emails from potential employers who express interest in working with them. Without a Follow-up Email, your visit to the career fair remains unutilized.
Why do you need to write follow-up Emails?
Many people write follow-up Emails after a career fair because attending a Job expo does not guarantee an interview with the recruiters. So, you need to connect with the recruiters personally and express your interest in the company and the position you are applying for by writing a follow-up. Hence you need to write Follow-up emails to:
- Connect with potential employers.
- To get a chance for an interview with the recruiters.
- To convey your qualification, skills, and interest in the job and the company.
- To leave a positive impression on the recruiters.
- To know about further employment opportunities.
How to write a perfect Follow-Up Email?
When you interact with recruiters in a Career fair, in the end, you can ask for a business card that has their contact information, or you can also search it up on LinkedIn or the company website. Now, you have their contact information, and you need to start with your Follow-Up Email. So, let’s start and get you connected with the recruiter.
- Get your documents- Before you start, make sure you have your resume, your Id, and other documents with you. To avoid the hassle of looking for everything at the exact moment, be prepared.
- Contact the Correct Person- Before you start writing your follow-up Email, ensure that you have the correct email address. If you have a business card, then it is not a problem, but if you don’t, look up the contact us section on the company website and Mail your follow-up Email to the given Email-Id.
- A Catchy subject line- Now you have the Email address, so write a catchy subject, concise and to the point. For example- ‘Follow-up on our chat at ABC Career Fair’ or ‘ABC Career fair follow-up’ A short and catchy subject line will catch the recruiter’s eye and help them understand the context of the Email without opening it.
- Introduce yourself – After writing the subject line, now introduce yourself, and try to help them remember you. You can do this by mentioning the topics you discussed during the fair or an incident that might have happened. If you can’t remember anything, just write that I’m the person with the Bright blue sweater or anything. This will help the recruiter recall you, and also your Email will look different.
- Why do you want to connect- After a short introduction, write why you are interested in contacting them. You want to apply for a position or want to do an internship, make yourself clear.
- What is your qualification- Yes, you have attached your resume but still mention your college major or a line about your previous job in your follow-up email this encourages the recruiter to have a closer look at your resume and possibly give you a call for an interview.
- Be Thankful- Start your Email with a thank you and end it with a thank you. Gratitude is the language of civility but remember to not sound desperate for the job. You can start by saying Thank you for your time at the Career fair and end it with a simple thank you. Being thankful shows your gratitude and value towards the job you are aspiring for.
- Link to LinkedIn- You can also attach the link to your LinkedIn profile, as it’s easy to go through. Don’t forget to update your profile before you do that.
- Leave your contact Information- At the end of your follow-up Email, leave your contact information and attach your resume and references. The recruiters do not have to go through a stack of documents to find you, and you can expect a quick reply.
- Review and review again- After writing your Email, Imagine that you are the recruiter, then how would you feel after reading it. Do this exercise and assess yourself. Also, do not forget to re-check your Email for any errors you wouldn’t like a spelling or grammatical error from a potential candidate as an employer.
The right time to follow-up
There is no right time. There is just time. So, stop waiting for the right time to write your follow-up Email. Send it the very next day of the Career fair because Opportunities don’t wait for the right time. Few points to remember-
- Send it during business hours, do not send your email whenever you want to. Make sure that you send it during office hours.
- Do not send as soon as the career fair ends. It may make you look desperate, and the recruiters might still be at the fair. The ideal time is the next day during working hours. If it is a holiday then, wait till the company reopens.
- Delaying for a day or two shows that you went through the company website and open positions before applying.
- It’s alright if you forgot about a potential recruiter. Better late than never. So, send that follow-up email even if it’s a bit late.
- Don’t be too early but remember to not delay.
Template for a follow-up email
| Subject: Continuing our conversation from the ABC Career fair |
| Dear Mr./Mrs.[Name of the employer]Thank you for your insights at the[ Name of the place] career fair on [Date]. It was great to talk about [Details]. I’m [Personal details], I have recently completed my education[educational qualification], and I’m interested in [Your interests]. It will be a great pleasure. If we can connect further, I’m attaching my details below for your reference. I will follow up again next week to see if I can meet you. Thank you[Your name][Phone number][Email-Id] |
Some examples to help you write an impressive follow-up Email
Example-1: If you are a fresher
| Subject: NYC Career fair follow-up |
| Hello Mr.john I am Robert Parker. We had a pleasant conversation about current trends in Graphic design at the NYU career fair on Saturday. I enjoyed our conversation, and thank you for enlightening me about your company and the role of a graphic designer. I have recently graduated from XYZ University with a major in design, and I’m very interested in joining your organization. I have attached my resume below for your reference. I hope you are free to give me a call. I will look forward to our talk. Thank you again! Robert ParkerPhone [email protected] |
Example-2: If you are looking for an intern position
| Subject: Loved meeting you at the Denver Career fair |
| Dear Mrs.CatherineThank you so much for your guidance at the Denver Career fair. I hope you remember me. I’m the one with a red scarf. We had a great discussion about the growing role of digital marketing in today’s world. I’m Jess Stuart, studying at ABC University with a major in Business and marketing. I’m impressed with your guidance and wish to join your team as an intern to learn more. Looking forward to hearing from you soon, I’ll follow up within a week again. Thank you very much! Jess StuartPhone [email protected] |
Example-3: If you are a regular job-seeker
| Subject: Interested in the role of software engineer, MW Career Fair |
| Hello Mr.Alex Thank you again for the opportunity to meet you at the MW Career fair. I am Joshua Wyatt, graduated from the University of AB and armed with an experience of 3 years as a software engineer at XY firm. We had an interesting discussion about the role of software in building AI. I’m currently looking for a more challenging role and would love to be a part of your organization. I have attached my resume for your reference. I’m looking forward to a response from you soon. Thank you again! Joshua WyattPhone [email protected] |
Example-4: Follow-up for the role of Sales associate
| Subject: Career fair opportunity with XY Ltd. Company |
| Dear Mr. Michael Williams Thank you so much for your time at the NUC Career fair on 5th August. I had a great time talking to you about enhancing sales in a market full of brands. I was amazed to learn how your company has done so well in a competitive industry. I have worked with the ABC firm for one and a half years, and I am interested in working for your organization as a sales associate. I Have attached my resume for your reference and also applied through your company website. I will be looking forward to hearing from you soon. Thank a million! Sarah smithPhone [email protected] |
Example-5: Follow up for the role of Data scientist
| Subject: Meeting you at the AB Career fair |
| Hello Mrs.Jennifer I’m Chris Jones. Thank you so much for your time at the AB Career fair on the 5th of August. I had a great time learning about your organization and the role of a data scientist in a professional field. I have recently graduated from ABC University with a major in computer science and mathematics. I have interned under a professional data scientist for three months, and I would like to start my career as one. I’m amazed by the progress your organization has made in the field of data science and can’t wait to be a part of it. I want to apply for the role of junior data scientist at your company and am looking forward to hearing from you soon. I will follow up again in a week if you are busy. Thank you so much! Chris JonesPhone [email protected] |
Example-6: Follow up for the role of a web developer
| Subject: Follow up after a great conversation at LX Career fair |
| Hello Mr.Ethan Johnson I truly appreciate your thoughts on web development at the LX Career fair. Thank you for allocating your time at the fair. Your organization has unique ways to work and progress in web development. I’m interested in being a part of your huge family. I have five years of experience as a web developer at ABC firm, and I am looking for new opportunities in the web developing industry and want to apply as a senior developer with your company. I hope to receive a response from you soon. Thank you again! Josh BrownPhone [email protected] |
Example-7: Follow up for the role of computer user support specialist
| Subject: KNY Career fair follow-up |
| Hello Mrs.Emma Miller Thank you so much for your words at the KNY Career follow-up. I have been looking for open positions at your firm for a long time. I was happy to know that you have a vacancy for a computer user support specialist. I have three years of experience as a computer user support specialist in various firms, and I love working with computers. I want to apply for this position. I hope to hear from you soon. I would not like to disappoint you, so I have attached my resume for your reference. Thank you very much again! Rory WilliamsPhone [email protected] |
Example-8: If you did not get an opportunity to talk with the recruiter directly at the career fair.
| Subject: Follow-up after the ABC Career fair |
| Dear Ms.Rachel Johnson I have heard a lot about you but missed an opportunity to meet you personally at ABC Career Fair. I am surprised by the progress of your firm in a very short time, and I respect your company’s work ethic. I have working experience with Oracle NetSuite and Tally. I have studied accounting at XYZ college, and I want to apply as a bookkeeper at your company. I have also attached my resume for your reference. I hope to hear from you soon, and I will follow up again to look for any open positions. Thank you very much for your time. Emily ParkerPhone [email protected] |
Mistakes to avoid while writing a Follow-up Email
While it’s very important to write a follow-up email after a career fair, there are a few mistakes you should avoid while writing one.
- Do not be unprofessional. Starting your Email with ‘Hey, What’s up!’ is definitely not recommended. So, be professional throughout the Email.
- Do not boast about your achievements. Be polite and provide information about your interests and education. Boasting is unprofessional.
- Do not experiment with font and color styles. Keep your Email simple and say no to Emojis, and millennial Lingos. It’s unprofessional and spoils your chance for an interview.
- Do not attach your social-media profiles except your LinkedIn profile. Remember that you have to be professional so, no Facebook or Instagram.
- Do not write long paragraphs. It is good if it’s short, concise, and to the point. Long pieces are boring, and no one wants to read them. If you have to convey something important, then write that in the first line. The employers will read about your ideas even if there are long paragraphs.
What to do if I did not get a response
You should wait for a week and follow up one more time if the potential employer did not reply, but if there is no response again, then let go of that company and focus on others. Generally, one should write as many follow-up Emails as they can to have better luck with a response. Learn to let go and look for other opportunities.
Let’s seal the Deal
If you are looking for a job, then follow-up Emails are the way to go. Don’t be shy or afraid to try because if you get in, then great for you, and if you did not get in, then there are many opportunities waiting for you.
Write your Follow-up Email in the correct format, and use a professional subject, salutation, body, and signature. Do not forget to check your email a few times before hitting the send button. Respect the company and the hiring manager while addressing your Emails, and do not forget to Research the organization before preparing for your Interview, which will come soon to you.
Good luck!
