With another college semester over and another survived finals week, the WashingtonExec’s “NextGen Beltway Leaders” met earlier this month, before kicking into summer-relaxation mode.
The NextGen Beltway Leaders is a group of college students whose parents are part of the broader WashingtonExec community and who are looking to expand their professional networks. The students first met in December 2014 to discuss the dos and don’ts of resume building and the importance of internships.
This time around students and two guest speakers gathered at the Attain headquarters in McLean, Virginia to discuss the job-interview process – from initial application to employment.
Amy Sutton, a college recruiter from a large services provider, spoke on how college students can best maximize the resources provided at career fairs. Career fairs are a great way for students to network with potential employers and also practice presenting their personal brand. Networking is a vital component in today’s business, for who you know and who knows you can bring you one step closer to landing your dream job, Sutton went on to say.
Sutton also touched on how to present oneself in a job interview. Along with professionalism and a smile, it is best to prepare three questions in advance to ask a potential employer. Another helpful tip Sutton provided was to send a follow-up email or handwritten note after the interview asking about the status of your application and thanking the interviewer for their time.
Speaker Adam Chandler, a billable employee whose client is a large government agency, talked about his role as a functional specialist and consultant in the technology space. Chandler went on to highlight the importance of not only doing your job and doing it well, but also taking the time to go the extra mile to provide increased value to your customers.
Leaving the event with new knowledge, the WashingtonExec NextGen Beltway Leaders will meet again this December as they work to expand their federal contracting business acumen and professional networks.
