Making SEMA contacts - student question

[olason]

Hello,

I am attending SEMA for the second year as a scholarship winner of a SEMA scholarship.

When a company is displaying at SEMA are they interested in meeting people who might be seeking enployment?

Last year I got in contact with a lot of companies about possible internships. Nothing turned up, but no big deal since I got to spend my last summer working with family instead.

I am a December graduate in mechanical engineering, and have applied to positions I feel I could work at or acquire the skills for. I feel that meeting potential employers in person is a great deal better though.

If you were exhibiting at SEMA would you be turned off by someone wanting to talk about employment opportunities?

Thanks,

Kyle Olason

[SLO_Z28]

I would not be offended by people wanting to work for my company at all, just shorten your approach into a sales pitch and realize that not all the booths will staff with people that actually work for that company. A lot of companys hire professional salesmen to work these booth, or sometimes contractors. More often than not when I was private industry I met my new hires outside of work most of the time. Have a good business card made up, and be memorable.

There are ME jobs out the wazoo where I am now, but im sure anyone looking on monster can see that.

[BonzoHansen]

Kyle, work on your 30 second story/elevator pitch. if you know certain companies that interest you, investigate them and be knowledgeable as you can on their business & products.

[olason]

Thanks for the input. I didn't want to feel like I was hassling the companies, but networking is a huge part of these shows for all of the companies. For me it will be a way to get my name out there as North Dakota State doesn't attract automotive companies as we are in an agricultural region. The closest to the automotive industry that attend are Polaris and Arctic Cat in the power sports industry as they are "local" companies within 2 - 4 hours from Fargo.

[Schwartz Performance]

A good pitch is good- and yes know some about the company. SEMA is overwhelming for all employees working the booths.. So keep in contact after SEMA. It'll take a couple weeks or more for the company's to settle back in after the show.. And don't be upset if they don't remember you :)
Congrats on the scholarship.. I attended McPherson College in Kansas '07-'11 and tried for that one each year, lol.

-Dale Schwartz