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career transition

8 Ways to Cope With the Emotional and Psychological Impact of a Career Transition

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Navigating the emotional and psychological impact of a career transition can be challenging. To help you through this, we’ve gathered eight insightful suggestions from CEOs, founders, and other professionals. From embracing mindfulness amidst career changes to taking a pause for personal rejuvenation, these leaders share their best advice on coping with career transitions.

  • Embrace Mindfulness Amidst Career Changes
  • Turn to Reflective Journaling
  • Draw Strength from Resilience
  • Forge New Relationships at Work
  • Establish a Transition Ritual
  • Seek External Perspectives and Advice
  • Build Support System and Practice Self-Care
  • Take a Pause for Personal Rejuvenation

Embrace Mindfulness Amidst Career Changes

Making the shift from a career as an engineering manager to life coaching was emotionally challenging for me. 

One method I’ve personally found beneficial during this transition is mindfulness. Instead of succumbing to anxiety and stress, I dedicated a few moments each day to meditation, ensuring I was truly present, focusing on my breathing and surroundings. 

This practice allowed me to process emotions without judgment, stay grounded, and gain clarity. Think of it as finding a calm space amidst the uncertainty and doubt; mindfulness offers that comfort, helping you to face the challenges of change with a clear mind and a strong focus.

Bayu Prihandito, Psychology Expert, Life Coach, Founder, Life Architekture

Turn to Reflective Journaling

One effective method to navigate the emotional turbulence of a career transition is the practice of “reflective journaling.” By dedicating time each day to write about your feelings, apprehensions, and aspirations related to the change, you create a safe space for introspection and self-awareness. 

This act of translating thoughts onto paper can provide clarity, allowing you to process emotions, recognize patterns, and devise coping strategies. For instance, I once journaled my way through a significant role change and found that my recurring fears stemmed from a past experience I hadn’t fully processed. Recognizing this link enabled targeted action to address it. 

Over time, many individuals, including myself, have found that journaling fosters resilience, aids in understanding the transition’s broader purpose, and provides a tangible record of personal growth and adaptability.

William Phipps, Founder, AI Tool Portal

Draw Strength from Resilience

Recognize that a career transition can be tough, often requiring sacrifices. Being mentally prepared for the challenges ahead is crucial. Take time to reflect on your inner strength, drawing from within to help you navigate the journey. This resilience will be your guiding force, propelling you forward despite the difficulties you may encounter.

Kimberley Tyler-Smith, VP of Strategy and Growth, Resume Worded

Forge New Relationships at Work

The best way to handle the challenges that come with a career transition is to work towards creating new friendships and professional relationships at your new workplace. 

In the home-improvement business, we often have workers from other careers joining our team to learn the ropes of a more promising career. And I’ve always noticed that among these new entrants, the ones who go out of their way to fit into the team are the ones who have a smoother transition. They genuinely make an effort to build connections with the people they are now working with. When the team reciprocates, I’ve seen even the most challenging transitions get easier. 

This is a lesson that comes in handy in any situation in life. When you embrace the people around you, even the most difficult situations get easier to handle.

Neil Platt, Director, Emerald Home Improvements

Establish a Transition Ritual

Going through a career change can be a rollercoaster of emotions, ranging from excitement to anxiety. One helpful way to cope with this is by establishing a “Transition Ritual.” This could involve dedicating time, whether daily or weekly, to reflect, write in a journal, or even practice meditation as you navigate this journey. 

During this ritual, it’s important to acknowledge both wins and uncertainties while setting intentions for the next phase. By processing your emotions, instead of letting them build up, you’ll create a sense of stability. This not only helps manage stress and anxiety but also allows for self-awareness, enabling you to approach the transition with clarity, positivity, and resilience. 

Remember that every transition brings both challenges and opportunities; having a ritual in place will help you embrace those opportunities while ensuring your emotional well-being remains intact.

Jacob Maslow, Owner, Rest Equation

Seek External Perspectives and Advice

When I’ve had career transitions, I’ve found it especially helpful to talk about their impacts with people I don’t work or live with. People who have a greater distance from my situation can often provide a sympathetic ear and can sometimes share their own life experiences by coping with the psychological impacts of a major transition. 

For some people, this might involve talking to a therapist, but I’ve found just talking to friends about it to be rather helpful. By the time you get to a certain age, most of the people you know will have made a major career transition at some point. They can commiserate with you and talk about what worked for them.

Temmo Kinoshita, Co-Founder, Lindenwood Marketing

Build Support System and Practice Self-Care

One way to cope with the emotional and psychological impact of a career transition is to build a support system. Surrounding yourself with people who understand your situation and have valuable advice can help you stay positive and motivated. 

Additionally, it is important to practice self-care by taking time for yourself, participating in activities that bring you joy, and staying connected with your values and goals. With the right support system and self-care practices, you can make a successful transition in your career.

Amira Irfan, Founder and CEO, A Self Guru

Take a Pause for Personal Rejuvenation

If you hop between jobs without giving yourself a moment to recharge and realign, then you’ve set yourself up for burnout, fatigue, and culture shock. Instead, take a break to engage in non-career activities, whether it’s going on a holiday or working on your hobbies. You can even set up a challenge for yourself—lose weight, read a specific number of books, or even start and grow a podcast. 

If this is not for you, then relax—take long naps, meet up with friends, and occasionally visit your new workplace to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs. By taking a break from work-related activities, you prepare yourself mentally and physically for the new challenge.

Karl Robinson, CEO, Logicata

8 Resume Tips for Transitioning to a New Industry

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Crafting a resume for a new industry can be a daunting task. To help you navigate this process, we’ve gathered eight pieces of advice from industry leaders and HR professionals. From identifying and highlighting transferable skills to taking time to understand your target industry, these tips will guide you in making a successful transition.

  • Identify and Highlight Your Transferable Skills
  • Condense Your Resume, Consider Entry-Level Positions
  • Focus On Universally Applicable Skills
  • Emphasize Industry-Specific Knowledge
  • Avoid Retraining by Reframing Old Skill Sets
  • Maintain Honesty About Your Experience
  • Scan Job Posts and Tailor Your Resume to the Role
  • Take Time to Understand Your Target Industry

Identify and Highlight Your Transferable Skills

Changing careers is difficult, but with the right strategy, it’s not impossible. A crucial step to embarking on a new professional adventure is crafting your resume. When entering a different industry, this might feel intimidating all on its own, as you probably don’t have any actual experience in this new field. 

The good news is, that’s okay. All you need to do is spend some time considering how the education, skills, and experience that you already have translate into your new role. Chances are, a lot of the abilities and professional adventures that you’ve accumulated over the years have prepared you for this very position. 

Start by identifying your transferable soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, or leadership, followed by hard skills like coding, data analysis, or marketing. Make sure you highlight them in your resume, along with the professional experiences and projects that helped you gain these skills.

Maja Kowalska, Community Manager, Zety

Condense Your Resume, Consider Entry-Level Positions

The finest resumes, like the best products, effectively convey your abilities and experience to potential employers. You won’t get even a complete page read in the few seconds that people spend on your CV. Making your resume too long dilutes the significance of each section. Just hit the high points. 

Also, taking an entry-level position in a new field might be a great way to get your feet wet and learn the ropes. Find a position where you can learn from more seasoned members of the team, such as a junior position, intern position, or help desk support function.

Aleksandar Ginovski, Career Expert, Resume Expert, and Product Manager, Enhancv

Focus On Universally Applicable Skills

One crucial tip I’d offer is to maximize your use of transferable skills. As a life coach, I regularly underscore the importance of introspection and self-reflection to my clients. 

When switching industries, these abilities prove invaluable for identifying and translating your skills to suit new contexts. For example, my background in psychology and emotional intelligence enables me to adapt to diverse professional environments by understanding, communicating with, and influencing others. 

The capacity to empathize, manage stress, and practice mindfulness—attributes typically associated with mental health professionals—are indeed valuable in any industry. 

Shifting your perspective from industry-specific competencies to universally applicable skills will significantly improve your chances of successfully transitioning into a new field.

Bayu Prihandito, Psychology Expert, Life Coach, and Founder, Life Architekture

Emphasize Industry-Specific Knowledge

Make sure you emphasize any specific knowledge pertinent to a new industry. Let’s say you’re interested in entering a highly regulated industry like healthcare, finance, or pharma. 

Mentioning that you are well-versed in handling confidential data, protecting personal identifying information (or PII for short), and maintaining strong relationships with various stakeholders to get necessary approvals will be important qualifications to highlight. These can help you stand out in front of a recruiter.

Andrea Misir, Career Coach, The Millennial Career Coach

Avoid Retraining by Reframing Old Skill Sets

As a recruiter specializing in the equipment and industrial sector, it’s common to encounter workers looking to change industries, certain that they’ll need serious retraining. Sometimes they’re right, but just as often, it’s untrue. This can be attributed to a lack of imagination.

Crafting a resume for a new industry requires reframing old skill sets.

For example, if you’re trained on a specific program or machinery that is no longer applicable, don’t toss the whole entry. Instead, rename the task as problem-solving or general engineering. 

Leadership and collaboration experiences are universally applicable, as are office skills and communication techniques.

Go down the page until you’ve tweaked every section, and you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised at how many skills have crossover potential.

Linn Atiyeh, CEO, Bemana

Maintain Honesty About Experience

Be honest with your experience and don’t try to “pad out” your resume. It’s much better to be honest about the level of experience that you have, rather than trick the hiring manager or ‌lie about your experience. This approach can only ever end badly!

Tracey Beveridge, HR Director, Personnel Checks

Scan Job Posts and Tailor Your Resume to the Role

One crucial piece of advice for crafting a resume when switching industries is to research the skills for your desired role carefully. 

You can do this by scanning various job postings related to the role you’re aiming for. Once you’ve made a list of those skills, check which ones you already possess and highlight them on your resume.

Remember that your resume is often first screened by an ATS, not a human. Thus, it’s important to incorporate the relevant keywords used in the job descriptions. 

This will increase your chances of getting past the initial screening and landing an interview. Tailoring your resume this way not only shows your understanding of the industry but also showcases your adaptability, which is highly valued when switching industries.

Martin Potocki, CEO, Jobera

Take Time to Understand Your Target Industry

Understanding the fundamental skills, qualifications, and requirements for your target industry takes time. Identify the key strengths and knowledge areas highly valued in that field. 

Review your previous experiences and identify transferable skills you’ve gained that can be applied in the new context. These may include communication skills, problem-solving abilities, project management, leadership, teamwork, or technical proficiencies that can be relevant across industries.

Customize your resume, showcasing your transferable skills and experiences that align with the new industry. Create a summary or profile section at the beginning of your resume to highlight your relevant skills and qualifications. 

Emphasize accomplishments and provide tangible evidence of your capabilities, instead of focusing solely on job responsibilities. If you have any transferable or relevant qualifications, include them in a dedicated section or under your education.

Brendan Bray, Team Manager, EC1 Partners

Why You Need a Coach

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The choice of switching to Career Ownership will not be easy, but worth it and fulfilling. Here is why you might need a coach and partner on this journey.

Clarity and Direction

Since coaches have been working with different people already, they are considered experts and can steer the focus on where you really want and need to be. With their guidance, a clear path should be discussed in detail and more importantly, discussing ‘HOW’ we can get there.

Personalized Guidance

Every single person’s goal might be the same on the surface but lots of components will always be unique. A coach provides personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs. We offer insights and perspectives based on their expertise and experience in the field. We will listen to your concerns, offer objective advice, and assist you in making informed decisions.

Networking and Opportunities

Coaches often have extensive professional networks and can introduce you to relevant contacts in the industry. We can help you navigate the job market, connect with potential business partners, and uncover hidden opportunities. Their connections and industry knowledge can expand your professional
network as well and open doors for advancement.

Transition Support

Whether you’re changing careers or starting a new venture, a coach can provide invaluable support during transitions. We can help you navigate the complexities of change, develop a transition plan, and manage the mental and emotional aspects of career transitions. The final decision should ultimately
align with your own values and goals.

Remember, a coach is there to guide you, but the ownership of your decision ultimately rests with you. A coach can provide guidance, tools, and resources, which will help you solidify the confidence in the decision you make. We are here to partner with you and empower you to act and make decisions aligned
with your goals and aspirations

Anna Brambilla,  https://entrepreneurssource.com/

14 Essential Factors to Consider When Contemplating a Career Transition

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If you’re contemplating a career transition, we’ve gathered fourteen insightful perspectives to guide you. Our contributors, ranging from CEOs to HR professionals, have shared their wisdom on this complex topic. From preparing yourself emotionally to thinking about your target industry’s future, this article offers a comprehensive guide to navigating your career change.

  • Prepare Yourself Emotionally
  • Speak to People in the Targeted Career 
  • Avoid Narrow Candidate Prospecting
  • Consider Financial Planning and Potential Issues
  • Reflect on Personal Needs and Responsibilities
  • Keep an Open Mind in Transition
  • Be Realistic During a Career Change
  • Take Time to Research and Test
  • Assess and Balance Passion, Talent, and Skill
  • Check-in With Yourself for Career Alignment
  • Follow Your Passion in Career Transition
  • Maintain Positive Relationships With Colleagues
  • Evaluate Your Time and Availability
  • Think About Your Target Industry’s Future

Prepare Yourself Emotionally

One critical aspect to consider in a career transition is emotional readiness. In my personal journey, I transitioned from an engineer to a life coach and learned that change isn’t solely about acquiring new skills or adapting to a new environment. It’s also about mentally and emotionally preparing yourself for the inevitable uncertainties and fears that accompany the process.

There were days when I felt thrilled about the possibilities, and others when I was anxious about the future and the unknown. What helped me move forward was the understanding that these emotions weren’t signs of weakness, but a natural part of embracing change.

So, when faced with these feelings, try embracing them instead of resisting them. This approach makes the process more manageable. For me, it was this fundamental shift in perspective that truly propelled me forward to navigate my career transition successfully.

Bayu Prihandito, Psychology Expert, Life Coach, and Founder, Life Architekture

Speak to People in the Targeted Career 

How many people have you spoken to in the career you’re trying to transition into? This is a really important question! Our sense of things from the outside can differ from the reality of working in that target career every day. 

If you’re thinking about a transition, go talk to as many people in your target career as you can. Try to learn enough about this new role so you can picture yourself in that role and consider if it gives you the things you’re seeking in this professional transition.

The key benefit of these exploratory conversations is that you build up your network in your target industry. You’ll need those insider contacts to ensure your non-linear candidacy is taken seriously. 

And maybe some of these contacts would help you put your resume in your target industry’s jargon. You’ll need to mirror the other linear candidates in your target industry’s application pool.

Pat Fligge, Director of Temple Professional Network, Temple University

Avoid Narrow Candidate Prospecting

It is common to assume that someone who has previously worked in a similar company that provides services like yours, or sells similar products as you do, will be a great fit for your company, but that might not always be the case. For example, ours is a SaaS company. 

While outreaching through LinkedIn, at first we specifically targeted candidates that have a proven track record in SaaS companies. We thought they would easily get accustomed to our business and could add value to their previous experiences. 

While this has happened, most of the time, it didn’t work out. So, there has been a lot of time we restricted our candidate prospecting to a very narrowed-down target and overlooked candidates that may have had the potential to bring something new to the table. 

Hence, while reaching out to candidates with similar work histories is not a bad idea, ONLY reaching out to them is not a wise decision.

Sajna V M, Head of People and Customer Success, WebPipl

Consider Financial Planning and Potential Issues

Make sure the new career you’re switching to won’t merely provide you with the same old issues in a different format when you consider your reasons for wanting to make a change.

Also, ensure you have enough money saved up so that you can continue to afford to live without receiving additional income during this period if your job choice requires returning to school or another type of specialized training. 

Your plans might be seriously derailed if your resources run out. Even if you decide to change careers, it might not be the one you had in mind if you can’t afford to see the way through to the finish line.

You may occasionally need to take many stages to reach where you desire, using your present abilities in each step to find employment that enables you to gain new ones. Similar to how a youngster traversing the monkey bars grabs onto one bar while stretching out for the next, so does this.

Aleksandar Ginovski, Career Expert, Resume Expert, and Product Manager, Enhancv

Reflect on Personal Needs and Responsibilities

When contemplating a career change, it is crucial to consider your personal needs, priorities, and responsibilities over the next five years. Making such a decision requires careful introspection and a deep understanding of what truly matters to you in this season of your life. 

It is easy to get overwhelmed by the prospect of planning for the next two decades, but the focus should be on what you require professionally in the immediate future. 

By considering your present circumstances and objectives, you can align your career choices with your current aspirations, ensuring that they integrate with your personal needs and responsibilities. 

Remember, it’s important to give yourself permission to prioritize your well-being and happiness, understanding that careers evolve and change over time. By focusing on what you need in the coming years, you can navigate your career journey with confidence and fulfillment.

Kelli Anderson, Career Coach, Resume Seed

Keep an Open Mind During Transition

As the CEO and founder of Bemana, a recruiting firm specializing in the equipment and industrial sector, I can say that keeping an open mind is the most important thing when contemplating a career transition.

Today’s job market is far more vast than most people realize. Often, workers will come to me with a short list of positions, but once we talk, I realize their interests and skill sets extend much further than they think.

In these cases, I often advise them to see a career coach—and to go in with an open mind as they’ll likely discover jobs they hadn’t considered!

Staying flexible in the process ensures you don’t wind up in a new position you dislike just as much as your old one, so be prepared to expand your list of potential roles and don’t write off anything until you’ve given it real thought.

Linn Atiyeh, CEO, Bemana

Be Realistic During a Career Change

As the founder and managing partner at Vetted, a boutique recruiting firm serving growth-stage tech companies, marketing agencies, and PR firms in Greater Boston and beyond, I can tell you that realism is key when considering a career transition. 

Often, I see people when they’re at peak frustration with their current position. This can lead to rose-colored glasses about other roles or industries, and sometimes it’s necessary to bring them back down to earth.

No job is perfect, and true self-fulfillment usually arrives after hours. Before moving on from your current career, honestly audit the pros and cons of where you are. Consider that the negatives might persist in a new position.

It’s natural to focus on the bad things at hand, and the good to come, but this approach will leave you where you started in the long run: miserable and seeking change that never truly comes.

Tim Walsh, Founder, Vetted

Take Time to Research and Test

Don’t feel you have to rush the process. If you’re transitioning to a completely different sector or career path, then this is something that shouldn’t be rushed. So, ensure you take the time to research, trial, and test before “jumping in” to an alternative career path.

Tracey Beveridge, HR Director, Personnel Checks

Assess and Balance Passion, Talent, and Skill

When you reach a point in your life where you realize that your current career no longer brings you joy, you may think that it’s a sign to change your career. Some may want to change their job entirely, while others find it better to use their skills in another way. 

Either way, when you contemplate your next step, it’s important to tap into your passions and aim to find common ground between that and your natural talent and skills. For example, when my business partner and I started off, we began with an ed-tech program—Imagine Easy Solutions. 

After growing with this program, we sold it and made a change with our next project. We had to look at what we found exciting and what would bring us joy when we created it. This led to us transitioning from the ed-tech industry into the gaming one and creating Solitared, which hosts several card-related games like Cribbage Online.

Neal Taparia, Co-Founder, Cribbage Online

Check-in With Yourself for Career Alignment

It’s important to create some space to pause and look internally when contemplating a transition. I use a VIPS framework with my coaching clients—what are your values, interests, personality, and skills, and how do they (or don’t they) align with your current career?

Consider: Do you ever get into a flow state? What lights you up and feels good? What parts of your job drain you? 

Using this self-check-in, you can get a clearer sense of whether you like what you do, or if you’re out of alignment. 

Sometimes, we have room to bring this into a conversation with our current employer to job-craft and ask if there is room to integrate more of what we want, where we are. Other times, it’s clear that it’s time to make a bigger transition.

Aileen Axtmayer, Career Coach and Corporate Wellness Speaker, Aspire with Aileen

Follow Your Passion in Career Transition

When you’re thinking about making a career transition, one really important thing to consider is your passion. Ask yourself, “What truly excites me?” It’s crucial to find something that aligns with your interests and values. 

Remember, a career is a big part of your life, so it’s important to be passionate about what you do. Take the time to explore different options and reflect on what truly makes you happy. Following your passion can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career journey.

Lou Reverchuk, Co-Founder and CEO, EchoGlobal

Maintain Positive Relationships With Colleagues

An important principle to remember during a career transition process is to avoid “burning bridges.”‌ You want to maintain positive relationships with former colleagues, supervisors, and other professional contacts, even as you move on to new opportunities.

These relationships can be invaluable down the line, whether it’s for a future job recommendation, industry advice, or collaborative opportunities. 

Remember, the professional world is ‌small, and it’s in your best interest to leave a positive impression wherever you go. Leaving a job doesn’t mean you should sever all ties, but continue nurturing those relationships, as you never know when you might cross paths again in the future.

Juliet Dreamhunter, Founder, Juliety

Evaluate Your Time and Availability

One important factor to consider when contemplating a career transition is the time you have. When I was deciding whether to transition from my job as an accountant into freelancing, I had a limited amount of time. 

I was working full-time and had just become a new mom. My husband’s job meant we were moving out of state in only a few months’ time. We were also about to pay for childcare for our daughter. 

It wasn’t possible for me to take on any more freelance work—which was ‌just blog writing and editing other people’s articles on their blogs. 

So, it was crucial for me to decide whether this career change was going to be worth it before fully committing to it. If you’re considering a career change and have little time, ask yourself: Do you want this change? Do you feel that it’s something that will actually help your life? If so, go for it!

Jaanus Põder, Founder and CEO, Envoice

Think About Your Target Industry’s Future

Make sure that you take the time to assess the future of the industry you’re looking to transition into. Whether you’re looking to do so as an employee or self-employed, it’s important to look at what the future may hold before potentially investing a large amount of time to change.

Wendy Makinson, HR Manager, Joloda Hydraroll

7 Strategies for Maximizing Benefits at In-person Career Expos

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To help you make the most of your next in-person career expo, we’ve gathered seven invaluable tips from industry leaders and career experts. From conducting pre-event research and personal connection to planning, prioritizing, and pitching effectively, these professionals share their top strategies to ensure you leave the expo with more than just a handful of business cards. Dive in to discover how CEOs, Founders, Career Coaches, and other professionals maximize their expo experiences.

  • Conduct Pre-Event Research and Personal Connection
  • Strategically Network with Prioritized Connections
  • Dress for Success at Career Expos
  • Maximize Benefits with a Post-Expo Follow-Up
  • Leverage Information for Targeted Interactions
  • Use Expo for Elevator Pitch Practice
  • Plan, Prioritize, and Pitch Effectively

Conduct Pre-Event Research and Personal Connection

When visiting an in-person career expo, it’s crucial to do your research ahead of time. Don’t make the mistake of thinking the hard work begins when you arrive; instead, set aside time prior to researching any businesses you’re interested in.

And for a deeper connection, don’t stop there. Call ahead to companies you’re especially interested in and let them know you’re coming.

Consider asking who will be working the booth. Then, look into their backstory and how they came to work in the industry. This personal knowledge will create an intimacy that can set you apart.

Make sure to take notes on what you’ve learned. Memorize them so when the moment comes you’re ready to leave a lasting impression.

Rob Reeves, CEO and President, Redfish Technology

Strategically Network with Prioritized Connections

When attending a career expo you never want to go in unaware. Don’t make the mistake of thinking your showing begins when you arrive; the real work is in the research. 

Get a guest list ahead of time. If it’s not publicly available, reach out to the organizers. They’ll often be willing to let you know who has RVSP’d. 

Then, prioritize your own connections. You likely won’t be able to visit every booth, so timing is crucial.

Next to an attendee’s name or company, write down any key topics you’d like to address. Ensure you’re abreast of any projects they’re working on, so you can open with a compliment, and have a segue ready to steer towards your own employment opportunities.

Knowledge is power and going in prepared is key to making the most of any career expo.

Tim Walsh, Founder, Vetted

Dress for Success at Career Expos

As a recruiter, I’ve visited dozens of in-person career expos, and one thing that often stands out is the attendee’s casual attire. Just because these events tend to be held on weekends doesn’t mean it’s time to bust out the blue jeans and sneakers. 

While you don’t need to show up in a three-piece suit, a good rule of thumb is to dress the same way you would for an interview.

Sartorial choices can go a long way towards helping hiring managers picture you in the role, so replace the t-shirt with a button-up and blazer.

Linn Atiyeh, CEO, Bemana

Maximize Benefits with a Post-Expo Follow-Up

Utilizing a follow-up strategy after attending an in-person Career Expo is crucial for maximizing the benefits of the event. Since many attendees neglect this important step, taking the initiative to follow up gives you a competitive edge. 

Send personalized thank-you emails to the recruiters or companies you connected with, expressing your gratitude for their time and reiterating your interest. Follow up with any promised materials or documents, such as your resume or portfolio. 

Additionally, connect with them on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn to maintain the connection. By implementing a well-executed follow-up strategy, you demonstrate professionalism, stand out from the crowd, and increase your chances of building meaningful relationships and securing future opportunities.

Kelli Anderson, Career Coach, Resume Seed

Leverage Information for Targeted Interactions

This is your time to find out the little-known things about working for the company and ask any questions you have that might not be answered on the company’s website. Then, I’d utilize that information as the backbone of a cover letter tailored to a specific individual at the company. 

Make the most of the situation to highlight your qualifications and the ways in which they can assist the business. In a nutshell, you should leverage your time at the career fair to set the stage for future, more targeted interactions. 

Also, use your time wisely. Instead of wandering aimlessly from booth to booth, choose ahead of time the groups you’d like to see. Learn as much as you can about these groups, and give them your full attention.

Aleksandar Ginovski, Career Expert, Resume Expert, and Product Manager, Enhancv

Use Expo for Elevator Pitch Practice

The best part of an in-person career expo or job fair is visiting a booth or employer you’re less interested in—at least at first. Elevator pitches are tough! And oftentimes, our first draft of giving our pitch is not our strongest. But when you’re at an in-person career expo, you can practice your pitch on employers who are not at the top of your list, refine and sharpen your pitch, and then bring your A-game to your A-list employers.

Before you go to the expo, you’ll want to at least write down the bullets of your elevator pitch, if not practice to a friend or just yourself. And then you also want to make a ranked list of employers to visit, but save those top employers until you work out all the jitters and kinks in your opening.

Bonus tip: Make sure you browse through all the employers, even the ones you’re unfamiliar with. Like an old Blockbuster Video store, you never know what you might come across!

Pat Fligge, Director of Temple Professional Network, Temple University

Plan, Prioritize, and Pitch Effectively

One effective tip for maximizing the benefits of attending an in-person Career Expo is to come prepared with a clear plan and set specific goals. As a CEO, I understand the importance of making the most out of networking opportunities and career events.

Before attending the career expo, research the participating companies and identify the ones that align with your career goals and interests. Prioritize the companies you want to connect with and gather information about their job openings, company culture, and values. This will enable you to have meaningful conversations and make targeted connections.

Then, craft a concise and compelling elevator pitch that highlights your skills, experiences, and career objectives. Practice delivering it confidently, ensuring that it captures attention and leaves a lasting impression.

Sai Blackbyrn, CEO, Coach Foundation