Job Fair Strategies
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Job fairs are a great opportunity for you to make contacts with employers and learn about available and potential positions. They can also be a bit stressful unless you know what to expect and you have done some advance preparation. Check out some of the information below to help you maximize your job fair experience.
What is a Job Fair?
At a job fair, organizational representatives seeking qualified job candidates set up display tables where you can speak with them about your qualifications. Available positions can include full or part-time jobs, internships, temporary or seasonal positions, depending on the focus of that particular fair. This is a time efficient way for employers and students/alumni to share information with each other.
When attending a job fair, typically you can move freely among the tables and speak to the employers that interest you. Job fairs can provide a good forum for discovering an interest in an organization you had not yet considered. While some job fairs include a formal interviewing process, most create an environment where you can talk about your qualifications more informally. This does not mean, however, that you shouldn't prepare for these conversations! Think about what is involved with formal interview preparation and follow similar steps to get ready for a job fair. Organizations may use a job fair as an initial screening process, then contact preferred candidates at a later time. Sometimes organizations will collect resumes for possible future openings as well, so it's important to present yourself at your best.
Document Preparation
One of the first steps in getting ready for a job fair is to create a resume that effectively reflects your skills and qualifications. Employers will expect you to bring a resume to the event, so try to give yourself enough time to have a Career Services counselor review your resume before you present it to employers. Make sure you bring multiple copies of your resume to the fair!
Cover letters are not expected at a job fair, although if you would like to develop a cover letter to target your experience to a particular employer, this can be a great way to stand out in the crowd. This does not mean create a generic cover letter for every employer; instead, you would research employers of particular interest and write a specific letter that highlights why you are interested in that organization.
Consider bringing a list of references that can speak to your experiences related to the position. Make sure you connect with your references and inform them that they may be contacted.
Researching Employers
Obtain a list of employers who will be attending the fair. If the fair is sponsored by Career Services, there is normally a listing of attendees on the Career Services website. Prioritize which employers you REALLY want to speak with and spend some time doing some research. If you can communicate with recruiters in an educated way about their organization, that is very impressive! Knowing about the organization will assist you with developing appropriate questions for the recruiter.
Possible ways to research employers include visiting websites, talking to people affiliated with the organization, and calling the organization for literature.
Developing Your Opening Statement
The first impression that you make on an employer is extremely important. It's NOT a great idea to walk up to an employer, hand them your resume, look at your shoes, and wait for them to say something! Prepare a brief opening statement that summarizes your skills and qualifications and ideally generates enough interest that employers will ask you a few questions.
Here are a few ideas:- Introduce yourself by name, major, degree level, and institution. In a couple of sentences, tell them a little about your background and what type of position you are seeking. Offer the recruiter a copy of your resume. Make sure you extend your hand for a good, firm handshake and look the recruiter directly in the eye.
- Mention your knowledge of the employer's business, including products or services that you have discovered in your prior research.
- Tell the employer you are very interested in them and ask what they are seeking in candidates.
- Use specific examples from your experience to highlight your strengths.
- Ask additional questions as appropriate (not concerning salary and benefits!) about the employer, and how your interest areas, education, and/or experience fit with their recruiting needs.
- Ask for a business card or contact information to follow up with the representative. After leaving the table, consider jotting down a few notes on the back of the card to remind you about your conversation.
- Thank the recruiter for his/her time!
Sample Questions to Ask
Besides the individual questions you develop based on your research of individual organizations, consider using some of the following questions.
- What advice would you offer to someone who wants to work for your organization?
- What are typical positions for new graduates in your organization?
- What qualifications are you seeking in new hires?
- Do you offer a training program? Could you describe the training?
- Would you please describe a typical day for newly hired graduates?
- What are some of the possible geographic locations for new hires?
- How can I receive further consideration for the positions you have described?
- How did you choose this company?
- What are my next steps?
Day of the Event
Make sure you have copies of your resume ready and bring them in a portfolio that you can carry easily. You should also bring a notepad and a nice pen. not the chewed one in the bottom of your backpack! Leave your backpack at home if possible. Presenting yourself as a professional is an important part of maximizing the impact you have on employers.
Plan to arrive early and if possible, scope out the room so that you are comfortable with the layout. Prioritize your employer list to ensure that you speak to employers that are of greatest interest to you. Sometimes employers have a long line of people waiting so you will have to make decisions about where you will spend your time. Would you rather wait in line to talk to your first choice employer or would it be more useful to see three or four other employers during that time period? It's up to you, but thinking about these questions in advance may keep you from feeling overwhelmed during the fair itself.
Present yourself with confidence, smile, and show enthusiasm to the employer. Speak clearly, and match your voice volume with what is happening in the room. The room may be noisy, and if the employer can't hear you they will not remember you!
What to Wear
Ideally, you should wear a business suit when attending a job fair. A suit is an excellent investment as you will also need it for your on-site interviews. A conservative suit that fits you well is the way to go, and don't forget to iron! Navy, black, and gray are some of the most commonly selected suit colors. Look in the mirror before you leave the house and ask yourself. would I hire me??? Check out our Dress for Success page to learn more about proper job fair attire.
After the Fair
Believe it or not, you have more to do once the job fair ends. Send a thank you letter to the representatives that you spoke to during the event. Remind them of the conversation you had and why they should be interested in you. Consider following up by phone in a professional manner. Employers often appreciate candidates who demonstrate real interest in the opportunities they have available. Just be sure to think about and practice what you are going to say before you make that call.
If you weren't able to meet with some of the employers you were interested in, write or call them requesting an opportunity to speak with them.
Using a Job Fair to Help You With Career Choices
A job fair can also be helpful if you are exploring different occupational choices. Talking with representatives about the types of opportunities offered in their organization and what these jobs entail, the willingness they might have to support an informational interview or job shadowing experience, and the availability of part-time jobs and internships are just a few ways attending a job fair could help with your decision-making process.
