It’s that time of year again! Anyone who has been in the public accounting industry can tell you about Meet the Firms (MtF). Imagine a large hotel ballroom filled with people dressed to the nines in their best professional attire. Students are eager to make a lasting impression on the firms they aspire to join, while firm representatives are on the lookout for the best candidates to hire.

The problem: There are far too many applicants and too few recruiters. Long lines form behind partners and firm representatives as prospective students try to dazzle them in the hope of being remembered when hiring season arrives.

Having been on both sides of this event, here are some helpful tips and tricks to make you stand out in the crowd:

1. Dress Comfortably (But Professionally)

It’s going to be hot and crowded! There’s nothing worse than giving a recruiter a sweaty handshake. Keep a handkerchief in your pocket or purse to stay fresh and composed.

2. Bring Plenty of Resumes

However many resumes you think you need, bring at least 50% more as a precaution. Meeting a recruiter without a resume is sure to backfire. Keep your firm-specific resumes organized in manila folders within your padfolio (more on this in our Resume Workshop).

3. Keep Conversations with Recruiters Light

Think of this as a mini interview to see if you’re worthy of a full interview. Have your elevator pitch ready, but don’t expect much more interaction than that. Remember, there’s a long line of applicants, and the recruiter is trying to give everyone a fair share of time. Engage in small talk for about 30-60 seconds, then acknowledge the limited time and express your interest in learning more about their firm in the future. You could say something like:

“I really appreciate you being here tonight. I want to respect your time since you have so many people to meet. I hope we can talk again soon. Have a great night!”

Shake hands, smile, and walk away proudly.