Attending a job fair can be a game-changer in your job search, offering a unique opportunity to meet potential employers face-to-face and make a memorable impression. However, preparation and strategy are crucial to maximizing the benefits of a job fair. This guide will walk you through essential steps to ace your next job fair, from dressing appropriately and researching companies to making strong first impressions and effectively following up. By implementing these tips, you can confidently navigate the job fair and stand out among other candidates.
Here are the steps needed to ace your next job fair:
1. Wear “interview attire.“
That is, dress as if you are going to an interview. Consider yourself to be in an interview any time you are face-to-face with someone who has the power to hire you (or who can connect you with those who have the power to hire you). You want to make an excellent first impression and show that you take the event seriously.
2. Research the companies that will be present at the job fair ahead of time.
Most organizations have a website that will help you quickly learn essential information about the organization and the types of positions they have available. Sometimes, the fair organizer will have literature, job descriptions, and advertising about the participating companies. Glassdoor.com is also an excellent website for researching any organization’s pros and cons. To learn about other resources, read “Where Can I Find News and Information About a Company?“
Your research will prepare you to talk intelligently with the company representative and ask pertinent questions. You will stand out from those who approach a table and ask, “So what does XYZ Company do?”
If you cannot research the company before the fair, pick up information at their table and go elsewhere to read through it before approaching the company representatives.
3. Plan your strategy for working the fair.
Prioritize the companies at the fair according to your interest in working for them. Write down your questions for these companies and your goals in talking with them. (Sample goals: To find out if they have a call center or utilize customer service reps / To find out the name of the head of the information systems department / To find out what type of accounting software they use, the size of their accounting department, and the name of the department manager / To find out if they have current openings for a __________, and how often openings for that type of position occur.) When you arrive at the fair, see if any new companies have registered, and note any that interest you.
Note: At a job fair, we suggest you not begin with the company that interests you most. Instead, go first to a company of lower or little interest and practice your approach on them! You’ll then be “warmed up” when approaching companies of the highest interest.
4. Customize your resume for the companies that most interest you.
Customizing your resume can include changing your job objective to the job title used by a particular company. (For example, if you discover through your research that ABC Company does have customer service reps but calls them “Customer Satisfaction Agents,” then change your job objective to reflect that particular job title.) Tailoring your resume could include re-organizing the bullets in your “Highlights of Qualifications” section or your job duties. (For example, if you know a company requires its administrative assistants to be proficient in Excel, and you have that proficiency, you will probably want to highlight that in the first part of your resume.)
5. Bring several resumes with you (at least two for each company of interest).
Bring sufficient quantities of each version of your resume if you have multiple job objectives. For large job fairs, bring scannable versions of your resume. Many recruiters take the large stacks of resumes they collect and scan them into a database.
6. Consider developing a career portfolio to bring with you.
A portfolio can contain copies of your resume, a list of references, letters of reference, and samples of your best work. Especially if you are targeting a position entailing graphic design, photography, promotional piece production, writing, etc., we strongly recommend bringing samples of your work attractively displayed in a notebook. (Remember the adage: A picture is worth a thousand words!)
A portfolio can also include reports, the output of a software program you wrote, certificates of recognition or completion of a training program, a list of educational courses you have completed, letters of commendation, etc.
The recruiter or company representative may not have time to look at your portfolio during the job fair, but if they do, it will help you to stand out from other applicants.
7. Make a good first impression.
Dress appropriately and be well-groomed. When meeting the company representative, make good eye contact, smile, and extend your hand to shake while introducing yourself.
8. Prepare for your “mini-interview” with the company representative.
Write a list of questions such as, “What qualifications do you look for in your customer service representatives?” You can then use that information to talk about yourself: “As you can see from my work experience, I have the qualifications you seek. For example,….”
You can also ask questions to find information about their company you could not find in your research. For example:
“Do you have an in-house publication department, or do you outsource your print work?” If they outsource it, find out to whom– that company might employ someone like you!
“Do you have staff writers?”
“Do you have customer service representatives? Can you tell me more about the position? How many do you employ, and how often do you have openings? What qualifications do you look for in your customer service reps?”)
9. Answer questions as concisely and courteously as possible.
Listen carefully to the recruiter’s questions. Give no more than a 30-60-second answer. He (or she) can ask you additional questions if he wants to hear more.
10. (At a job fair) seek to get a second (in-house) interview.
You can ask the recruiter to appraise your qualifications: “How do I compare with the other candidates you are meeting?“ If you receive favorable feedback and are interested in working for the company, let the recruiter know: “I am very interested in this position, and I believe I could do the job well. What do I need to do to arrange a second interview?”
11. Follow up.
Following up is an easy way to stand out from the crowd because few people take the time or make the effort. Be one of the few! Whether or not the recruiter has arranged the second interview, send a thank-you note to them. (Remember to get a business card at the job fair so you will have the correct spelling and address.)
– If the second interview is scheduled during the job fair, thank the recruiter for his time, express your enthusiasm for the company and position, and appreciate the opportunity to be considered further.
– If you are waiting to hear about a second interview, thank the recruiter for her time, remind her of your interest and qualifications, and request the opportunity for a second interview. State that you will follow up the letter with a phone call (and then make sure you do it!). It is also a good idea to attach another copy of your resume.