The Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales

Fete Student Preparation

 

Why Attend

  • Get a better understanding of  how companies can support your personal goals and learn strategies for getting your personal matters under control
  • Expand your career contact network by talking to firms you might have missed at the college job fair and/or meeting new contacts
  • Increase and direct your exposure to the firms that are focused on recruiting sales talent
  • Follow-up in person with the firms you are currently targeting for employment
  • Meet the individual(s) who might become your next manager!!!
  • ...required for those taking a professional sales class this semester because Fete is designed to help with professional development and recruiting.  If you are unable to attend an engagement event due to a conflicting class that cannot be missed, you must provide documentation of your course schedule to the instructor at least one full week in advance of the event to receive an alternate assignment. Otherwise, you are expected to be there. 


Prepare

  • Research the companies using the organization and attendee information found in Memberclicks (you will need to login to access the Event Attendees list and Company Directory found in the Exclusive Protected Content section)   Memberclicks Guide for Students
  • Register for Coming-of-Age Coaching by March 14 (M)
  • Review the Modality Guide to know what tech to prep, how the event will flow, etc
  • Update resume
  • Compose tailored cover letters for the top firms you are targeting (each firm getting a cover letter would be best)
  • Follow ESSPS social media for updates (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
  • Practice your opening
  • Review and choose conversation starters for Opening Networking (see below for Link 20 ©)
  • Review the conversation themes and prepare questions for the Coming-of-Age Coaching
  • Select an appropriate business casual outfit and location to Zoom from and make sure they are both clean and tidy

 

What to Bring and how to Dress

  • Resume
  • Something to take notes on and a pen
  • Business casual

 

Refreshment

  • Heavy grazing will be provided onsite and via a food delivery e-allowance depending on the modality of the guest 
  • Online students and companies who register by the deadline can expect to receive their food delivery e-allowance email from Grubhub on 3/15 (T)

 

Open Networking

  • Increase your confidence and exposure and improve your delivery by talking to as many recruiters as possible
  • Improve your credibility by delivering a well planned opening, addressing recruiters formally (ie: Mr. Smith), and thanking recruiters for their time
  • Ask these Link 20 © questions, over time, in a sincere way, and you will move most people up the pyramid (see below for some ideas and make up your own):
    • What do you do when you are not working?
    • Where did you go to school (and how did you choose it)?
    • Where did you grow up and what was it like growing up there?
    • What was your high school like?
    • What do you enjoy reading when you have time?
    • How did you decide to do (whatever he/she does) for a living?
    • Tell me something about your family
    • Where is your favorite place to vacation?
    • What kind of a vacation would you like to take that you have not taken?
    • What community associations, if any, do you have time to be involved with?
    • What sports, if any, do you enjoy participating in?
    • What sports do you enjoy watching?
    • If you could have tickets for any event, what would it be?
    • How did you decide to settle in this area?
    • Tell me something about you that would surprise me?
    • What things would you really want to do more of, but don’t have time for?
    • What challenges/issues in your work do you deal with that I, or my company, might be able to help you with?
    • What is the most frustrating thing about being in your business today?
    • In your opinion, what two or three qualities, make a top notch sales representative (account executive, consultant, etc.)?
    • If all work paid the same, and you could go around again, what would you do?

 

Coming-of-Age Coaching

  • Students signup online prior to event to create a coaching schedule on various coming-of-age topics and meet multiple companies and alumni at the same time
    • Cultivating a Healthy Mind
    • Exploring Home Ownership
    • Living on a Budget
    • Making Friends in a New Geography
    • Planning for Retirement

 

Follow-up

  • Send brief follow-up letters to the recruiters you met thanking them for their time/guidance/information/etc and/or expressing your excitement for pursuing a career with their company
  • Follow-up on any next steps that were discussed during the event (send a LinkedIn request, forward a resume, send availability to schedule job shadow or interview, apply online, etc)
Last Updated: 6/27/22