Job Fairs

How do you get the most out of job fairs?

Job fairs, like interviews, are face-to-face meetings between job-seekers and employers. They are one of the easiest places to find good job leads. Every employer attending is there to hire one or more workers.

At job fairs, job-seekers gather information about a company to help them decide if they want to apply for a job. Recruiters staff booths and answer questions, distribute brochures, accept resumes, and size up job-seekers.

Making good impressions at job fairs may give your resume or application added weight. The following tips can help you make the most of any fair.

Finding job fairs

Career centers, associations, state and local governments, and private companies organize job fairs. Find the fairs in your area by looking everywhere they might be announced. Ask a career counselor, review the business bulletin board at your school or local library, check the employment section of the newspaper, and search online via an Internet job fairs locator.

Ready your resume

Before attending any job fairs, you should prepare your resume. Bring several copies of it to each fair. Leave at least one with every company that seems promising.

A resume lists your name, contact information, education, and experience, both paid and unpaid. It emphasizes accomplishments and skills. Most resumes for entry-level jobs are one page.

[Click here for more about resumes.]

Dress neatly

A job fair is like a series of mini-interviews, with recruiters forming impressions of the people they meet. You might not need to wear a suit, but clothes that are too casual could be a strike against you. Clothes that are too short, too tight, too worn, or too playful are particularly risky. If you are unsure about what to wear, ask a career counselor or someone from the organization sponsoring the fair.

[Click here for more about interview attire.]

Go alone

Leave children and other relatives at home. If you plan to attend job fairs with a friend, don't appear to be inseparable when visiting booths. A professional image is easier to maintain if you speak to employers alone.

Survey the terrain and plot a strategy

When you arrive, take a quick walk through the job fair. Time is limited, and booths are crowded. Plan a route before stopping at booths to see your favorite companies. Save visits with the best prospects until after you've warmed up with a few other employers.

To make the best use of your time, ask for a list of participating companies a few days before the fair, and rank visits before you arrive.

Complete applications flawlessly

When a company distributes application forms, take two. Once will be a rough draft. If you bring an application home to send late, consider adding a note saying you met the recruiter at the fair.

[Click here for more about job applications.]

Master the mini-interview

Every time you speak with an employer, no matter how briefly or how boisterous the atmosphere, consider it an interview. Recruiters will expect you to introduce yourself, shake hands confidently, answer questions about your coursework or experience, and have an idea of the type of job you want.

Finding out about the company is equally important. You might ask what the hiring process is like or what jobs are available for people with your education.

Before you leave the booth, be sure to ask for the recruiter's business card.

[Click here for more about interviews.]

Take notes

After visiting several booths, it's easy for conversations to run together, leaving any job-seeker muddle-headed. After each visit, take a few notes to read at home.

Stay organized

Fair-goers are deluged with paper-company literature, recruiters' business cards, applications, and their own notes. Bring a briefcase, an expandable folder, or a canvas bag to keep materials organized. Counselors suggest going through these papers while your memory is still fresh.

Apply in absentia

If you cannot attend the job fair, contact the sponsoring organization. The sponsor may be able to give your resume to participating employers before or after the fair.