Though job-search sites and email have given job seekers the ability to speed the process of communicating with prospective employers, nothing beats face-to-face contact for making an impression. Job fairs provide a great opportunity for job seekers to meet prospective companyies in person. These events allow you a chance to really make a lasting impression.
You will have a chance to get a better feel for the companies that you might want to work for than you might by just looking at web sites or employment ads. By meeting a few people from a company at a job fair, you can gain at least a little insight into the culture of an organization, and you can ask questions. You'll be able to investigate positions, occupations, and career paths you may not have considered before, all from a singular location.
Preparing for a job fairTo be effective at a job fair, try some of the following tips:
- Have a Plan – if you know the companies and organizations in attendance at the job fair, you can plan your time more effectively so take time to learn about those companies. If you don’t know which companies will be in attendance, make a few phone calls and ask. Most job fairs list their sponsors in their promotional material. Do a little bit of research about each company by checking out their web sites to see what positions they have available. You probably won't have time to speak with every company in attendance, so make sure that the companies that you find most interesting get your attention first. Don't bother spending time with companies that do not interest you.
- Prepare a one-minute “commercial” – This is your chance to sell yourself. You should know in advance what you're going to say as you introduce yourself to the recruiters. Make sure that your are prepared to answer common interview questions (i.e. How would you describe yourself?; what interests you about our company?; etc.)
- Bring plenty of printed copies of your resume. Always take paper resumes to a job fair, even if you've submitted your resume electronically in advance. If you're open to employment in more than one field you may want to have several different versions of your resume that are tailored to highlight specific experience as it would relate to each position. Your experience is unique and you don’t have to craft a resume for every single company, however, you don't ever want to give someone a resume that has nothing to do with the position they want to fill.
- Know the dress code. Some job fairs are business casual, while others expect applicants to be in business suits. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and dress up rather than down.
- Don't just drop your resume on the recruiter's table and walk away - person-to-person contact provides a rich opportunity to make a great impression and network, so watch your manners (stand up straight, make good eye contact, have a good handshake, don't fidget, speak clearly, etc.). Be courteous and do not monopolize a recruiter's time. Ask for business cards to follow up.
After the job fair is over
Don’t forget to follow up on the leads you developed at the job fair with a thank you phone call or e-mail, or both. Consider sending a second resume with a cover letter reminding the recruiter about your meeting at the job fair. You can also call to suggest scheduling a follow up conversation. Above all, don't let your new contacts go to waste! It is through networking that most people find that ideal job.
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