Make a job fair successful. Preparation, intentional networking and follow up with employers may land a dream job.
Job searchers use many tools to succeed in their job search. Use a job or career fair as a tool for job searching. The day of the job fair and actual attendance is a small part of the process. Preparation and follow-up must be a part of the process to ensure success at a job fair.
Before the Job Fair
- Research the job fair. To get the most out of a job fair, get a list of attendees. Learn a bit about each business. Read the promotional material available on company websites. Get the names of key employees at companies that are of interest. Organize and write down any questions for specific company representatives. Identify potential employers by the needs of the organization, as well as their purpose.
- Set goals for the job fair.Attending a job fair is not a useful exercise for those with no end goal in mind. Gathering information, networking with potential employers and delivering resumes are possible goals for a job fair attendee. Job searchers in different stages of a job search will make different goals. Individuals just beginning the job search will spend more time gathering information and fact finding when attending job fairs. Job searchers further along in the process may have targeted resumes prepared to give to specific companies.
At the Job Fair
- Dress appropriately. Suit and tie is not always necessary, but jeans and a t-shirt don't fit the bill. A good rule for job fair attendees to follow is to dress one step nicer than clothes typically worn for work. For example, if normal workday dress is khaki pants and a polo shirt in a desired career, a job fair attendee could wear a pair of dress slacks and button-down dress shirt.
- Speak with employers. Job fair attendees can portray confidence to employers by speaking clearly about assets they can provide a company. A minute long prepared speech about skills and abilities is useful for a job searcher to deliver information to potential employers.
After the Job Fair
- Organize information gathered on potential employers. Keep a file with brochures and business cards of potential employers. Write down names and numbers of contacts in an address book so the information is not misplaced. Use this information to target a job search.
- Make follow up contacts with employers. Once you have a personal contact within a specific company; use that contact. If an employer has requested additional information, send it out within the week. Informal notes or telephone calls serve to thank employers and remind them of interest in their company.
Consider a job fair as one tool to promote the job search. Preparing for a job fair and networking with potential employers once at the job fair will provide employment leads. The follow-up with potential employers afterward could just bring a job offer.
The copyright of the article Tips for a Successful Job Fair in Job Search is owned by Peggy Crippen. Permission to republish Tips for a Successful Job Fair in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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