Making the Most of a Job Fair
Job fairs are one of the most efficient and worthwhile job search strategies that you can employ. If you are looking for a new job, you have the convenience of meeting multiple employers all in the same place. Furthermore, you can talk with employers face to face right on the spot rather than sending out resumes anonymously and hoping that one of them will respond. If you are using the job fair as a networking opportunity, it provides an excellent means of meeting both prospective employers and others in your profession who might someday be your boss or coworkers. Seeing who is in the marketplace can give you a handle on the competition you're facing and help you identify how you can become more marketable.
Here are some tips to help you obtain the maximum advantage from attending a job fair:
Dress professionally. Dress for a job fair just as you would dress if you were interviewing with employers at their offices.
Do some advance preparation. Find out what companies will attend the job fair, and research the ones that you're interested in so that you'll be knowledgeable about their company. Make notes on a 3 x 5 card for each company, to remind you of facts about their organization and questions that you would like to ask. Take a close look at your resume and make sure it's up to date and contains current contact information.
Arrive prepared. Take multiple copies of your resume in a plastic document folder to keep them from getting crumpled or smudged. If there is a map of the fair, take a moment to look at it and identify the companies you plan to talk to.
Demonstrate your interest in each company. Show that you know something about them by mentioning some of the facts you researched, and let the recruiter know why you are interested in working there. Avoid looking around at other people; devote your full attention to the recruiter, and listen carefully to what he or she is saying. Be sure to get the recruiter's name and phone number or business card before leaving.
Follow up afterward. Most companies state that very few candidates take the time to send a thank-you note, so if you send a brief note, you'll stand out from the crowd in a positive way. Express your thanks, let the recruiter know that you are interested in the job, and explain in a sentence or two why you see yourself as a good fit. End with a promise to contact the recruiter in a few days and then be sure to do so.
Mingle with attendees after your interviews. A job fair is the perfect time to network within the industry. Even if you don't land a job at the fair, the other people you meet may end up being valuable resources who can hook you up at the company that hires them.
Managed skillfully, a job fair can become the source not only of your next job but also of important connections that can be extremely important to your career. Once you learn how to make the most of job fairs, they will become a valuable tool in your job search strategy.
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