Career Advice | Career Fair Confidence
How to make the most of your next appearance at a career fair
Career fairs can be a great opportunity for job seekers. Recruiters and
employers are there for one reason - to find someone like you! But walking
around and leisurely talking to people at the different tables won't get you the
best results. Below are some tips that can make all the difference in your
personal effectiveness at a career fair.
Have a plan
There's nothing worse than walking into a big expo center and meandering
around the room without any idea of where you want to go or to whom you would
like to speak. Check out what companies are at the event, choose the tables you
most want to visit and start from there. If your goal is to walk away with solid
job leads, it's probably better to focus on a smaller number of employers or
recruiting agencies and spend quality time learning more about these
organizations.
Bring a variety of resumes
Of course every other job seeker at a career fair will be passing out his or
her resume. So it makes sense to bring plenty of your own. But don't forget to
bring different versions if there will be a variety of employers at the event.
If you have different professional objectives that apply to different job
positions, or if you'd like to focus on different credentials according to the
employer, having more than one resume can help you get focused fast in front of
a potential employer.
Dress the part
You want to be comfortable if you're walking around and on your feet all day,
so a three-piece suit or high heels aren't a requirement. But what you wear can
really make a difference when your appearance is how recruiters or employers get
their first impression of you as a professional. Choose a dark suit, and if you
are unsure of something (like jewelry, hair or shoes) it's much better to err on
the conservative side. You want to be the attraction when talking to a
recruiter, not your fluorescent orange tie or long dangling earrings!
Arm yourself with questions
You don't want to be caught speechless when a recruiter or employer turns the
discussion back to you. Be prepared on the spot with a list of questions that
cover the issues that are important to you in a job. Items such as salary and
benefits might not be appropriate to discuss at a first meeting, but questions
about the actual position, company atmosphere and requirements are good topics.
This is also the perfect chance to talk to the representatives about their own
experience with the company and why they work there.
Treat career fairs like interviews
A lot of people miss out on the opportunities a career fair can provide
because they don't take the time to take the event seriously and prepare
themselves. A career fair is just like having a few first interviews all in one
day, so give your next career fair the same respect (and preparation) you would
give a regular interview. Create a plan, bring your resume, dress professionally
and be ready to have an intelligent discussion with potential employers. With a
little bit of prep time, your next career fair could turn out to be a great
first step in finding a job you'll love!
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