A few weeks ago Jim wrote about “How to make yourself look good” as a startup presenting at a career fair. I’d like to take the opposite approach and share how a fairgoer can impress me.

Things that impress

1) Passion and excitement

It’s easy to sense excitement in your voice. Tell me about what drives you and what gets you motivated. Take a look at our product during the demo and give some feedback. If you think it’s cool (which it is), say that.

2) Honesty

Don’t tailor your history or experience based on the technology you see in a demo. I’d rather hear about what excites you (#1) and what you have experience doing. If you’ve never worked in the specific technology we’re using, say that; it certainly won’t disqualify you. Dancing around the issue and trying to make it seem like you know more than you do is not worth it as it won’t help your chances.

3) Spend some time chatting, don’t just drop a resume

Nothing shows interest like spending time since everyone is busy. Doing a quick drop of a resume doesn’t leave a favorable impression. Ask some good questions, show some interest and then leave a resume (and make sure to email one in later as well). Now, you shouldn’t take up too much time, but you also shouldn’t take up too little.

Things that don’t impress

1) Obvious answers to questions

“What type of job are you looking for?  One at a startup…” Uh, duh!  You’re at a startup career fair, don’t tell me obvious things. Go back to #1 up above, tell me about your passions.

2) Fancy Clothes

Everyone always says that dressing up shows that you’re interested. I’m more worried about what you say than how you look.  Nice clothes feel stiff and in my eyes, make it seem like you’re trying to distract me with your fanciness. Don’t take this to mean you should wear rags, but I think a shirt and tie are pushing it at a startup fair.

3) Interrupting other people to get your question in

Interrupting people is generally a bad idea (unless of course the sky is actually falling), however, with the time pressure of running around to speak with multiple companies it can be tempting to get your one quick question in. Don’t. Getting that question in will probably cost you the job and just mean that your question was not time well spent.