So, you are out of university/college or you are new to Canada or you are thinking about a career switch and you start your search. During one of your highly demanding and hectic search sessions, you come across a company information session. Your first thought would be to over look that session because you think you won’t be hired by just attending one of those. But some wise person said, knowledge is power, and the more you  have it about a company the better chances there are for you to get hired.

As someone exploring the job market, it is essential for you to do a search of the company you want to work with.

Essentially the purpose of these information sessions is to promote the organization to potential employees. These sessions are designed to demonstrate the benefit, the advantage to and an opportunity available within an organization. It is a kind of an opportunity for the company to create a relationship with new and upcoming graduates and employees. It is sort of the first link in a chain as a recruiting process. Organizations want the attendess to come out of this session and say “Wow! This is an organization that I want to work for, that’s the team that I want to be a part of.”

To make these information sessions successful, the presenters follow  “what’s in it for me approach for attendees or for students.” They provide a high level intro to what the organization is all about. They try to highlight why their specific industry is exciting and dynamic. They explain the opportunities, career advancement and other advantages to be part of a large organization.

At these sessions, the companies are also looking forward to see you at your best behavior and be impressed. These sessions are designed as a part of their recruiting process. They look for attendees that are prepared. Maybe people who have done research on their products and who ask questions. We want you to come and stick around after the session and introduce yourself; maybe provide some contact information and look professional. They want to see attendees come with their best effort for.

Here are a few tipe for you to help make the most of company information sessions:

• Use this opportunity to learn more
• Ask yourself if this is the right company for me
• Do you see yourself working with this company in the future?
• Ask questions, take notes, listen and pay attention
• Use the information obtained to help fill out your cover letter of the application

Do NOT do the following things during a session:

• Don’t look disinterested.
• Don’t be disruptful.
• Orhanizations like to think that you come and want to learn about the information, about organization. They don’t want people to ruin that for people who really do want to be there.
• “Don’t look like that you are just coming for the free food.”