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Tips for Making the Most of a Job Fair

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Let’s face it: the day-to-day hunt for job openings can be grueling. Even though most of the footwork these days is done online, the process of scouring LinkedIn, Indeed, and other job sites for open positions, then reaching out, customizing your resume, networking, following up, etc. can leave you feeling mentally exhausted.

That’s why a job fair can be such a breath of fresh air.

Job fairs are a goldmine for job seekers. They are events where employers, recruiters, and schools provide information about job openings and career opportunities. In other words, instead of researching companies and trying to find out if they have openings, you have access to a bunch of companies that are actively seeking new talent–all in one place. This is your chance to meet face-to-face with potential employers and make a lasting impression that a resume alone might not achieve.

A well-prepared job seeker can leave these events with valuable industry contacts, a better understanding of the job market, and even a potential job offer. However, making the most of a job fair is about more than just showing up. It requires preparation, finesse, and strategy. If you’re planning to attend a job fair in the upcoming weeks, here some practical and actionable tips to help you navigate the process more effectively.

Prepare in Advance

One of the key phrases in job hunting is “preparation is key,” and this couldn’t be more true when it comes to job fairs. Before heading out the door, make sure you take the following steps:

  • Research Participating Companies. Get a list of participating companies and learn about them. Understand their industry, products or services, and culture. Then make a “short list” of the companies that are most interesting to you or most aligned with your career goals. This will help you save time and energy at the fair because you’ll invest most of your time focused on the companies that matter most to you.
  • Prepare Relevant Questions. Show your interest and knowledge by asking relevant questions. This could range from queries about specific roles to the company culture and values. By engaging recruiters in this way, you not only showcase your curiosity and enthusiasm but also establish a meaningful connection that will help you be remembered after everyone goes home.
  • Be Prepared to Answer Questions. If a company rep is interested in you–or if they’re highly motivated to bring on new talent–they may offer to give you an impromptu interview on the spot. Be prepared for that eventuality. Come to the fair ready to answer at least a few basic questions about your experience, examples of your ability to solve problems and work with a team, etc.
  • Update Your Resume. Ensure your resume is up-to-date and aligns with the jobs you’re interested in. Bring multiple copies to hand out. A bit of a caveat here: most of my followers know I’m a stickler about customizing your resume to each job opening you apply to, but obviously that’s not a practical solution at a job fair. So my advice at job fairs is to have a few resumes handy, but only pass them out to employers who ask for them. Otherwise, just exchange basic contact information and schedule a follow-up so you can send a customized resume later.

Dress Professionally

First impressions matter at a job fair, especially since recruiters will be talking to lots of people. Dress as if you were going to a job interview. This not only demonstrates your seriousness about the job search but also sends a message to potential employers that you are dedicated, confident, and ready to make a positive impact.

Network, Network, Network

Job fairs are networking events. Engage in conversation with recruiters and other job seekers, exchange business cards, connect on social media (on the spot, if possible), and send an email following up afterward. Even if you don’t find your dream job at the fair, you never know who might provide a valuable connection.

Follow Up

You’d be surprised at how many job fair attendees don’t bother to follow up with recruiters, instead just waiting to be contacted by the companies. This presents a key opportunity for you to get an edge over your competition and jump to the head of the line, so to speak. Employers like people who show initiative. So within a couple of days after the fair, follow up with the recruiters you met. Send a personalized email expressing your interest in their company and the positions they have available. If you haven’t already handed them a resume, send them a version of the resume tailored to the company. This keeps the communication line open and increases your chances of landing an interview.

If you’re looking for a bit of additional support in your job search, I am here to help. Personalized career coaching can help you navigate the job search landscape, from crafting the perfect resume to acing interviews. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re feeling stuck or unsure about your next steps. For a free initial conversation with me, just schedule yourself a time on  my calendar here.

(Photo courtesy of the City of Marietta. CC License)

jobfair

Are Job Fairs Worth It?

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On the surface, it sounds like a perfect opportunity. You’re looking for a job, and there’s a job fair scheduled in your area where you can get into a room full of companies looking to hire. What better place could there be to find work? And yet, there are those who have expressed mixed feelings about these job fairs, suggesting that they are overrated, even a waste of time. So…are job fairs worth your time and energy?

First of all, I don’t feel there’s a blanket right or wrong answer here. In my experience, it’s not a matter of whether job fairs are “worth it.” As with so many other things in life, you get out of it what you put into it. If you go into a job fair unprepared and directionless, chances are you’ll walk away without any legitimate connections, and certainly no job offers. Many of the people who berate job fairs actually fall into this category. They didn’t put in the effort (or didn’t know how), so the opportunity was wasted. It’s always easier to blame someone or something else.

That said, I also would say there are better ways to land a position than by going to a job fair—for example, getting referred to a company through your network by someone who works there. But that doesn’t make a job fair a waste of time, any more than it’s a waste of time to cold-call a company and ask to send your resume. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Some techniques are simply more effective than others. The key is to do everything you can to make the most of the opportunity, so let’s make that our starting point.

The Pros and Cons

Let’s begin by listing the advantages and disadvantages of job fairs so you at least know what you’re up against:

The Pros

  • The companies represented at the fair are definitely looking to hire.
  • You have opportunities to speak to representatives that you might not meet otherwise.
  • You have the opportunity to apply to multiple companies or firms at once.
  • You get to chat and ask questions in an informal setting (in other words, you’re not on the “hot seat” like in a formal job interview).
  • You get to practice your elevator pitch.

The Cons

  • Everyone else is there for the same reason you are. In other words, your competition is also at the fair, which means you could get lost in a shuffle of applications UNLESS you find a way to stand out.
  • You have to work harder to be remembered. (Remember, recruiters are talking to a lot of people throughout the day.)
  • There are usually fewer job openings than people present at the fair.
  • Job openings at job fairs are quite often “entry-level,” so it might be less relevant for someone with more work experience or a specialized skill set unless the company is specifically looking to fill that kind of position.

Tips for Making the Most of a Job Fair

Now that you sort of understand what you’re up against, if you choose to visit a job fair, the more you can prepare beforehand, the better your chances of successfully landing an interview or a position from the fair. Some tips that may help:

  • Get a list of all companies to be represented at the event, and pick out a few that you’re particularly interested in. This helps you target your time and energy better.
  • Research the companies on your hot list. Figure out how you can contribute meaningfully and how you can present yourself as an asset.
  • Prepare your elevator pitch. Be prepared to share a little about yourself in a confident way, but not pushy.
  • Write a cover letter for each company on your hot list. Put it in an envelope with one of your business cards and hand it personally to the representative at the table. (Bonus points if you can find out the representative’s name beforehand address the letter directly to them.)
  • Dress for success. Dress as you would for a job interview.

Again, hiring rates from job fairs aren’t always as good as when you have direct opportunities to make contact with the company—but you can improve your chances of making a lasting impression by preparing beforehand using the tips above. And remember, everything is networking. You may not get hired by the company you pitched for, but you never know whom you’ll meet at a job fair who may eventually provide a lead to the perfect job.

If you’d like more personalized help in landing your dream job, I’m here to help. For a free 30-minute consultation, shoot me an email at terrylynn@giraffesconsulting.com, or give me a call at 646-320-1126.