Not too often will you find a bunch of employers gathered for several hours in a purposeful effort to meet you and other job seekers. So when a career fair is held in your city or, even better, right on your own campus, it's smart for you to attend.
Job fairs, like interviews, are face-to-face meetings between jobseekers and employers. They are one of the easiest places to find good job leads. Every employer attending is there to hire one or more workers.
Find the Fair
Career centers, associations, State and local governments, and private companies organize job fairs. Find the fairs in your area by looking everywhere they might be announced. Ask a career counselor, review the business bulletin board at your school or local library, check the employment section of the newspaper, and search online via an Internet job fair locator. If you cannot attend the job fair, contact sponsoring organizations, a sponsor may be able to give your resumes to participating employers before or after the fair.
But to get something from the experience beyond a few free key chains, you need to understand what you should do before, during and after the career fair -- and then follow through.
Before
1. Visit the Career Fair’s website or ask for a listing of participating organizations a few days before the fair, and rank visits before you arrive.
2. Identify a minimum of 3 organizations that you would like to visit:
Study the organizations you’ve selected and others attending the fair. Nothing impresses an employer less than a student asking, "So what do you guys do?" Instead, be one of the few students who knows something about each of the companies. The more informed you are, the more likely you will be positively remembered.
Based on the organizations you selected and researched, brainstorm a few questions that you can use to generate conversation with a representative and learn more about their organization or industry:
3. Have your resume ready. If you have the time, try to tailor your resume to those companies you’ve selected. If you not, make several copies of a general resume, since you'll probably visit with more than one employer. Leave at least one with every company that seems promising. (NOTE: Cover letters are not necessary when hand delivering your resume)
4. Get or make business cards. You can buy blank business cards at stores like Office Depot, and then use a computer and laser printer to create some personalized cards. List your name, contact information, and perhaps your major and the career you'd like to pursue after graduation. Review the business card section in the article Step Up Your Game.
5. Develop a 30-Second commercial. "Tell me a little about yourself." You're likely to get that invitation from many of the employers at the fair. So spend a little time beforehand figuring out your response. Briefly describe your background and what you are looking for. Relate your education, experience and skills to the employer’s needs. Think of your reply as a 30-second, self-promotional commercial you'll deliver to each employer who asks.
EXAMPLE:
Hello! My name is Mary Smith. I am a senior journalism major. Currently I am the Editor of the Ivy Tower, Ivy College’s paper. I’m looking for a full time position utilizing my editing skills and experience. I am extremely organized, efficient and deadline oriented. I read about your organization on your web site and became interested through the information provided there. Can you give me an idea of the opportunities you might have for a person with my background?
What to Bring
Make sure you have the following items with you when you attend a fair:
- A supply of resumes
- Personal business cards,
- Several pens and paper for taking notes,
- A briefcase, an expandable folder, or a canvas bag to keep company literature, recruiters' business cards, and applications organized
Go Alone
Leave children and other relatives at home. If you plan to attend the fair with a friend, don't appear to be inseparable when visiting booths. A professional image is easier to maintain if you speak to employers alone.
Dress Professionally
A job fair is like a series of mini-interviews, with recruiters forming impressions of the people they meet. If you are unsure about what to wear, ask a career counselor or someone from the organization sponsoring the fair.
- Women: A conservative, tailored business suit, just as you would to a job interview, is preferable but you can also wear a skirt and blazer, a conservative business dress or pant suit.
- Men: A conservative, tailored business suit, just as you would to a job interview, is preferable but you can also wear a button down shirt, tie, sport coat and nice slacks.
- Neat and comfortable shoes, as you will be on your feet for a while (not sneakers).
- Substitute a briefcase or bag for your backpack; you want to look less like a student and more like a future professional.
During
Survey the terrain and plot a strategy. When you arrive, take a quick walk through the fair. Time is limited, and booths are crowded. Plan a route before stopping at booths to see your favorite companies. Save visits with the best prospects until after you've warmed up with a few other employers.
Master the Mini-Interview
Every time you speak with an employer, no matter how briefly or how boisterous the atmosphere, consider it an interview. Recruiters will expect you to introduce yourself, shake hands confidently, answer questions about your coursework or experience, and have an idea of the type of job you want.
1. Introduce Yourself and Shake Hands. In many ways, a career fair is a test of your social skills. While employers are almost always friendly and outgoing, they'll expect the same of you. If you haven't done much ice breaking before, practice in advance with a campus career counselor or friend. Be sure to make eye contact and speak self-confidently. Now is the best time to use your “30-second Commercial.”
2. Ask Intelligent Questions. If you've studied up on the organizations, you'll probably have some questions you'd like to ask. Not only will you get some answers, but you'll also show yourself to be someone who does his research. You might ask what the hiring process is like or what jobs are available for people with your education.
3. Leave Your Resume and Card with Each Representative. Be sure to grab each representative's card. Make sure that you have the name and title of each person you speak with and verify the appropriate contact person for the future.
4. Check for Applications. Some organizations have job applications that you can fill out at the job fair. If you want to apply, take two, one will be a rough draft. Ask if you can bring an application home to send later, then consider adding a note saying you met the recruiter at the fair. If you have to complete the application at the fair, do it flawlessly. See the filling out job applications section for additional advice.
Tip: There may be employers with lines of students waiting to speak to them. Be aware of how long you are talking and conscious of whether other people are waiting. If time is running low, go to the employer with a line last. Typically employers will stay until they have met with everyone on line, but the employer without a line will leave.
After
1. Take Notes: After the fair concludes, jot down notes about conversations you had with company representatives. If you wait too long, the conversations will start running together in your head, and you'll forget what you said to whom. This is also a good time to go through company literature, recruiters' business cards, and applications while your memory is still fresh.
2. Follow Up on Promises: If, for example, a company representative expressed interest in looking at your Web site, make sure to email the URL like you said you would.
3. Send Thank-You Notes: Write or email each of the people you met and thank them for their time. Reiterate your interest in the company and your relevant skills and experience. Most job seekers fail to take this simple step, often losing out in the end to those who did express their thanks. Send thank-you letters to employers within 2-3 business days.
There will be few other times in your life when employers will make such a concerted bid to get your attention. So when they participate in a nearby career fair, make the most of the opportunity to present yourself favorably, gather useful information and meet new contacts. Your small investment of time and effort -- before, during and after -- might very well turn into an opportunity you wouldn't have otherwise had.
This is an excerpt from Finding Your First Job After College Guide which is included in our Real World 101 Care Packages. Visit our Care Package page to find out how to get one for yourself or for a lucky college grad!
Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 10:00AM 
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