How to Get the Most Out of a Job Fair

How to Get the Most Out of a Job FairHow to Get the Most Out of a Job FairImprove your job searching options and take some time to attend local job fairs. It may seem daunting- the crowds are big and theres competition for short attention spans, but its worth your effort. Youll have the opportunity to meet with employers that you might not be able to access any other way, plusjob fairs and career expos often offer networking programs, resume reviews, and workshops for job seekers. These tips will help you get ready to attend and maximize your opportunities while youre at a job fair. Dress for Success Attend the job fair dressed for business success in your best professionalinterview attire. Carry a portfolio, not a backpack. Your interview attire should err on the side of the conservativea neatly pressed, solid color suit, dark dress shoes, and minimal jewelry, accessorizing and makeup. Make sure that all tattoos are covered. Wear comfortable shoes, because youll be standing in l ine. Practice a Pitch You wont get much time with any one person, so you to make a good impression quickly. Practice aquick pitchthat summarizes your skills and experience so youre ready to promote your candidacy to prospective employers. A quick pitch is also called an elevator speech because it should only be 30 to 60 seconds long, which is about the same amount of time as a typical ride on an elevator. With your quick pitch, youll be able to enthusiastically explain who you are, what your skills are,and describe your career goals. So be ready- write up your pitch and rehearse it over and over. The more you practice this pitch beforehand, the more confident youll feel delivering it at the job fair. Bring Supplies Bring extra copies of your resume, a few pens, a notepad,and a bunch of business cardsthat include your name, your email address, and cell phone number. You might also want to consider bringingmini-resume cards as an efficient way to sum up your candidacy. Rese arch Companies Many job fairs and career expos have information on participating companies on the job fair website. Get yourself prepared to talk tohiring managersby checking out the companys website, mission, open positions, and general information before you go. If you demonstrate knowledge about each company or manager youre talking to, youll certainly stand out from the crowd. You may also be able to come up with a couple of questions to ask the hiring managers, which also makes a favorable impression. Arrive Early Keep in mind that lines can be long, so arrive early,before the fair officially opens. Youre better off standing in line outside so you can get in right away than arriving later and walking right in the doors but being stuck with long lines at each table. Attend a Workshop If the job fair has workshops or seminars, attend them. In addition to getting job search advice, youll have more opportunities to network. Be ready to chat up the people you meet and hand out your business cards. Network While youre waiting in line, talk to others and exchange business cards. You never know who might be able to help with your job search. Along the same lines, remember to stay polite and professional. Even if youre feeling discouraged in your job search, dont vent to other fair-goers about your situation or about any specific companies. Stay positive and make the most of the opportunity. Show schritte Shake hands andintroduce yourself to recruiterswhen you reach the table. Maintain direct eye contact. Demonstrate your interest in the company and their job opportunities. This is where your research in the companies will allow you to shine. Be Enthusiastic Employer surveys identify one of the most important personal attributes candidates can bring to a new position as enthusiasm. This means that employers want to see you smile. Even if youre nervous, stay enthusiastic- after all, great things may come from this job fair, especially if you ke ep a positive attitude. Ask Questions Have somequestions ready for the company representativesthat illustrate your knowledge of their organization. Employers are not merely looking for the most skilled candidate for the jobthey are looking for candidates who are truly interested in their company. The more you engage them, focusing the discourse upon their companys needs, the better the impression youll make. Collect Business Cards Collect business cardsso you have the contact information for the hiring managers you honigwein at the job fair. Then immediately after you get home, compile this information into a contact list and use it to send Connect requests on LinkedIn. Take Notes Its hard to keep track when youre meeting with multiple employers in a busy environment. Jot down notes on the back of the business cards you have collected or on your notepad, so you have a reminder of whom you spoke to about what. Say Thank You Take the time to send a brief follow-upthank -you noteor email to the company representatives you met at the job fair. This is another reason its crucial to get the hiring managers contact information. Sending a thank-you note is a good way to reiterate your interest in the company and to remind company representatives that youre a strong candidate.