If you are looking for a new job opportunity and want to broaden your job search, a job fair is a good event to attend. Attending a job fair allows job seekers to meet face-to-face with employers from a variety of companies and industries. Similar to a shopping mall, companies set up booths to provide job applicants with information about general company information and career opportunities, as well as to provide representatives to answer questions. Remember, employers participate in job fairs and spend a lot of time and money in order to attract and find new employees, so this is a perfect opportunity to get noticed.
Making an impression on employers at a job fair isn’t about just showing up. A successful job fair experience requires planning, preparation, and the confidence to sell yourself. Here are some helpful tips to help make your job fair experience a success.
Investigate: Before attending the job fair, do your research. Research the companies that will be attending the fair. Check company websites, read financial plans, articles, and press releases. Knowing about a company before meeting employers at a job fair will leave a positive impression.
Stay a while: Plan to spend a few hours at the job fair. Take the time to walk around and talk to employers and pick up business cards and brochures at various booths. Try to get to the job fair early to avoid the rush of other job seekers and know your way.
Don’t forget your feet: Expect to walk a lot and be on your feet, so wear comfortable shoes. Don’t wear uncomfortable high heels or new shoes that haven’t been ripped. Consider wearing a conservative pair of business shoes that are clean, professional, and comfortable.
Dress professionally: Think of job fairs as a job interview with a potential new employer. Make a good first impression by wearing conservative business suites, being well groomed, and wearing minimal makeup and piercings.
Bring summaries: Carry a good supply of current resumes to hand out to companies. Check your resume for spelling and grammar mistakes. Carry a portfolio or business case to hold the resumes and corporate information you collect.
Prepare an introduction: Before meeting with employers, prepare something to sell yourself. Think about your strengths, your goals, where you want to work, what you would like to do, and your relevant skills. Tell individual employers why you want to work for their company and what knowledge, skills and experience you would bring if hired.
Prepare questions: Create a list of questions that you want to ask each employer. One of the best ways to look prepared and professional is to ask thoughtful and intelligent questions.
Network: Be assertive and show initiative. Make eye contact, shake hands, and introduce yourself to employers when you arrive at the table. Take the initiative by giving the employer your resume and tell them about yourself and why you are interested in their company. When answering the questions, please provide examples of your strengths and qualifications. Feel free to ask employers questions in return.
Get contact information: Whatever you do, don’t leave an employer position without asking for a business card and company brochure. This might be the only opportunity you have to meet with the hiring manager face-to-face, and you will need the contact information to follow up with him later.
Show enthusiasm and calm: With many job seekers approaching the booths at the same time, things can get overwhelming. Keep calm, smile and enjoy the experience.
Before leaving: Go back to potential employer positions that interest you. Thank the employer again for their time and let them know that you will be in touch and that you hope to speak with them again. Returning to say thank you can help the employer remember your face and name.
Job fair follow-up: Similar to a job interview, it is important to follow up with employers after a job fair. Using the business cards you collected, write letters or emails to your contacts. Thank them for taking the time to speak with you, express your interest in working with the employer, and let them know that you will be calling them to follow up in a few days.
If you attend a job fair well prepared, you are likely to learn something valuable. You may meet some great employers; You may be presented with new ideas that you haven’t considered before and that you never know. maybe you will get a job.
Keep in mind that all is not lost if you don’t get a job. Job fairs offer great practice in honing networking and interviewing skills.