If you are looking for a job, or an alternative to your current job, going to a job fair can be a great way to network with various employers. A job fair usually consists of 30-100 companies or organizations, which hire employees regularly. Most of these firms are always on the lookout for talented students and professionals at job fairs. Many people mistakenly see job fairs as events where you solely learn about potential companies which are looking for employees. WRONG. In order to take advantage of all this type of event has to offer, you should start the networking process right when you get there. The process actually starts before you get to the actual job fair. You need to work on emphasizing your positive attributes beforehand! Here are some steps to follow both before and after visiting a job fair.
Pre-Step: Find a Job Fair Near You!
If you are still a student, you may be luckier than most others when it comes to finding a local job fair. Most universities host their own! If you are unsure when they are held, email or speak to one of your university career services representatives. If your university doesn’t host job fairs/you are not currently a student, here are some links to help you find some networking events in your city:
You can also find job fairs by city: Here is an example of a Chicago site, which discusses job fairs.
Before You Go
Now that you have found a job/career fair to attend, you should also prepare for the occasion. Don’t go in expecting things and conversation points to just come to you. You’ll probably fare much better if you do your research beforehand! Here are some tips for you to try BEFORE the event.
(1)Research companies you would be interested in working for. The job fair site or flyer will usually give you an idea of employers who plan to attend. Try to find out information about positions they have available! You can usually find this information on their job/career site or their human resources web page. Write down any questions you would like to ask representatives while you are there.
(2)Perfect your resume. Once you know who will be attending the fair, you can cater your resume accordingly. I usually liked to keep a few different resumes handy, based on which skills companies/positions were looking for. For example, if you are applying for an accounting job, you may highlight different attributes than those you would emphasize for an investment banking job.
(3)Suit Up! First impressions can be everything. Don’t look like a slob at a job fair. You should dress AT LEAST business casual, unless the job fair event board specifies otherwise. I’d much rather be overdressed than underdressed, so it may be a better idea to dress business formal!
At the Job Fair and After the Fair
(4)Talk to a representative! Make sure you don’t pick up brochures and leave. Look through the brochures and make sure to discuss opportunities that are currently available!
(5)Make yourself memorable. In addition to getting your own questions answered, you should tell them why you think you’d be a good fit at the company. What have you done in the past that may help? Why are you interested in working for the particular company or organization? You want to make sure the representative remembers you in a good way, that is.
(6)Send a follow-up email! Most human resource representatives/recruiters will probably give you their business cards. Once you apply for the job online, make sure to write to them about it (before/after). Give them a reminder about how you met at the job fair, and add in why you would like a particular position.
What do you think about these job fair tips?
This is a guest post by Nadia Jones who blogs at top online college about education, college, student, teacher, money saving, movie related topics. You can reach her at nadia.jones5 @ gmail.com.
Photo Credit: ben.chaney
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