Getting the Most from Job & Career Fairs

Before attending a job fair, you should have a strong idea of what you would like to find. The first question you will likely be asked by most recruiters is “What are you looking for?” Through this question, they are attempting to ascertain what type of employment (full time, internship, other) and/or what type of position/career are you seeking. Note that “something related to my major” will not be helpful here—have specifics in mind.

Attending Organizations
Before you go, do your best to find out who will be at the event and do some brief research on those organizations. Include learning about companies that you have never before heard of. Also, develop a list of one or two questions that you could ask that organization’s representative. By taking this step, you will stand out among the other candidates at the job fair.

What to Take
Have your resume critiqued and finalized ahead of time. Be sure to show up with plenty of copies on nice paper. If you have a couple job targets in mind, you may want to have a couple versions of your resume to better market your skills and knowledge. Cover letters and references are not necessary for a job fair setting.

It is also encouraged that you take a padfolio to store your resume and record notes about various employers. Have an over-the-shoulder, professional looking attaché that could help in holding the vast materials you will receive throughout the day. If you do not have one, chances are extremely likely that at least one employer will have some type of bag—go to that table first.

Introductory Statement
Prepare a 20-second self-marketing presentation before attending a fair. This statement will summarize your qualifications and career goals and emphasize what you have that is unique. For example:

“Hello, my name is Joe Smith and I am a senior at Urbana University. I am currently studying communication arts with an emphasis in public relations and hope to find a full-time position in a PR or marketing firm. In my internship, I was able to develop press releases and supporting material for a new product rollout.”

At this point, you will turn the conversation over to the recruiter with a question about their organization.

Examples (from Wetfeet.com) include:

• What’s the organization’s culture like?
• What might a person in this position like most? Least?
• What are the most important characteristics of the person you are looking for?
• How is the organization responding to (fill in with a current event)?

By having an introductory statement prepared and using it, you will be able to bypass much of the small talk recruiters go through in these “miniinterviews” and get to the meat of your qualifications. This helps put you in the top 10% of candidates they will see at the fair.

Your Arrival
Before heading out to the fair, make sure you know what time it begins and ends. Often, employers are still setting up at start time and may tear down before the advertised end time. Therefore, you want to leave plenty of time to talk with the organizations in which you are interested before they leave.

Attire
Professional dress should be worn to all job fairs. For men, this includes at least a shirt and tie, preferably a suit. For women, a pant suit is typically okay. Be sure to wear stockings that match your outfit. Comfortable shoes are a must as you will spend the better part of the day on your feet.

What to Expect
Expect crowds, a lot of noise, and potentially long lines at job fairs. Use the time waiting to jot down notes on previous conversations or speak with other job seekers. You may end up in line next to someone who just came from an organization looking for a candidate with your qualifications.

Working the Crowd
When you approach a booth, you will use the introductory statement that you have prepared to introduce yourself to the recruiter. Remember to focus on what impresses you about the company, not what the company can do for you. This is a chance to highlight your oral communication skills. As you speak with a recruiter, they may make notes on your resume to help them remember you. Listen to what other job seekers are sharing with employers—you will get a sense of how your skills compare on the market and may get a few of your questions answered. Be sure to ask recruiters what role this fair plays in their recruiting process—will they be interviewing from the candidates they see today or are they simply trying to get the word out about their organization? When returning from the fair, organize all the information you received and reprioritize your contacts based on what you learned.

Follow Up
Send thank you letters to organizations of particular interest to you to emphasize your qualifications and interest. If an employer requested no phone calls or emails, remember to respect that request.

Develop An Action Plan
Finally, make a plan for any future action that is necessary. Perhaps you need to apply through the organization’s website or follow up with a new networking contact you met while waiting in line. Being timely in your follow up can strengthen your candidacy considerably.