![Lindner students interact with recruiters in Tangeman University Center's Great Hall](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2023/03/n21152290/jcr:content/image.img.cq5dam.thumbnail.500.500.jpg/1677699762583.jpg)
Lindner students display talent, professionalism at Spring Sales Expo
Recruiters praise 'ambition’ and ‘quality resumes’ of Lindner students
The Carl H. Lindner College of Business’ Spring Sales Expo, hosted by the Center for Professional Selling, achieved record numbers last week, with more than 300 students packing Tangeman University Center’s Great Hall. Students sought to connect with recruiters, representing more than 50 organizations including some of Cincinnati’s top companies and national brands.
“This Spring Sales Expo was a huge success for both our students and the employers. We set a record for the number of attendees for both constituencies and received a lot of positive feedback from both groups,” said Jennifer Barlow, director of external relations for The Center for Professional Selling. “The employers were thrilled with the caliber and professionalism of students, from their strong handshakes to dress attire, from their questions to their quality resumes. Our students really stood out."
Jennifer Barlow, director of external relations for the Center for Professional Selling.
Students networked with representatives from companies across industries, including Reliable Transportation Services, Convergence Research, Gartner, Toyota and Cintas.
“The Sales Expo brings in companies from across the region to connect with top sales talent at UC,” explained Brian Fanelli, who advises marketing students as the director of employer relations and operations for Lindner Career Services. “It’s a great opportunity for students — regardless of their year or major — to connect with companies and explore possible career paths in sales.”
"The range of companies gave the perfect balance,” confirmed Sophie Padgitt, BBA ’23. “Particularly for students like me who are still exploring their options as to what industry they wish to enter. The variety of companies makes it really great to learn about what’s out there.”
Prior to the Sales Expo, Padgitt met with Bella Gullia, career coach and assistant director for Lindner Career Services, to ensure she was properly prepared. Gullia helped Padgitt determine what she was looking for, filter through companies to find the best matches and refine her elevator speech.
“The week before the Sales Expo, Career Services’ marketing coaches presented in some of our sales classes to help students prepare for the expo,” added Fanelli. “Role-playing as recruiters, we helped to identify areas of improvement and equip students with strategies to ensure their success with recruiters.”
I talked with a number of employers throughout the event, all of whom were blown away by the quality of talent that UC and Lindner have to offer.
Brian Fanelli, Director of employer relations and operations, Lindner Career Services
Many recruiters touted this type of preparation as what sets Lindner students apart.
“It comes down to the ambition and motivation shown by students,” said Corey Fussinger, lead corporate recruiter for Reliable Transportation Services. “Really, it’s their overall character and, not to mention, their preparedness for not only interviews and the job market, but also the workplace.”
“I talked with a number of employers throughout the event, all of whom were blown away by the quality of talent that UC and Lindner have to offer,” said Fanelli. “Many of them couldn’t believe how polished our students were, and I attribute that to the strength of our sales program and its leadership under Dr. Jane Sojka and Jennifer Barlow.”
A Lindner student talks with a recruiter from Reliable Transportation Services.
Austin Cox, BBA ’16, university recruiter for Gartner, can attest to the robust and comprehensive nature of the Lindner sales program.
“Students ask me how much of what I learned in the classroom do I actually use,” said Cox. “And there are some things I don’t use, but day-to-day I use 95% of what I learned through my professional selling coursework.”
Recruiters and students both offered lingering advice for future career fair attendees.
“Get out there and make those connections,” encouraged Megan DeRoo, BBA ’16, district service and parts manager for Toyota North America. “Connect with recruiters, send those emails and just do what you can to keep yourself top of mind.”
“Definitely meet with your career coach,” offered Padgitt. “They can help you create a plan of attack for the event and really get you prepared to go in there and get a positive outcome.”
Featured image: Students and recruiters fill Tangeman University Center's Great Hall for the Spring Sales Expo. Photos by Danielle Lawrence.
Learn more about the Center for Professional Selling
Find out how Lindner’s Center for Professional Selling is preparing students for a successful sales career with experiential coursework and opportunities for real-world applications.
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