Preparing For a Job Fair
By Kyle Quilatan
Published on: September 27th, 2024
Job hunting has been becoming more difficult within the past few years. In a survey conducted by Aerotek in the fall of 2023, 70 per cent of 1,500 participants expressed their current job search has been more difficult than their last one.
Job fairs are one tool that can help with making the search a bit easier, but only if you know how to approach them. Waiting in line for hours only to hand in a resume might be a waste of time, but networking with others can be a valuable asset.
What are Job Fairs?
A job fair is an event where organizations that are actively hiring come together to meet potential recruits. The typical setup consists of recruiters from these organizations gathering in a specific venue for a certain time over the event’s duration.
Virtual job fairs are also becoming more common. In this setup, organizations have their own virtual “booths.” Resumes can be dropped off by applicants and reviewed virtually through the chosen online platform.
Before You Go
Before you print out a few resumes, there are preparations you will need to make beforehand. There are some steps you can take in order to make the most of the experience. First, look into the list of organizations that will attend the job fair. You should then select the ones that interest you most. From there, you can begin researching the companies and the positions they have open. This will give you a sense of a company’s values, goals, and the kinds of people they tend to hire.
At this point, you can also apply to the desired position(s) ahead of time. This allows you to spend time talking about your application and steps moving forward during the actual job fair. If you do choose to apply later, make sure not to ask recruiters what positions they have available. This can make you look unprepared.
What To Bring
Do not limit yourself. You should always bring extra copies of your resume even if you have already applied to certain positions before the fair. Tailor your resume to the positions you are most interested in to communicate that you have the skills and experience that recruiters are looking for.
You should also prepare a handful of questions beforehand. Questions should be specific to the organization you wish to connect with. Do not ask questions with answers that can easily be found on the organization’s website. You can ask questions about the company and available position(s), the application process, and anything else that shows your interest.
You should also bring a pen and notebook so you can take notes during presentations at the event. It will also let you write down recruiters’ contact information in the case they do not have business cards available.
During the fair
Firstly, make sure you are dressed appropriately. Treat the job fair like an interview. Some recruiters will conduct mini-interviews on the spot. Dress pants, mid-length skirts, clean shirts and blouses, ties, and dress shoes and flats are all appropriate options for attire. Business casual is typically an acceptable dress code to follow. While looking professional, you will also want to dress comfortably. You will likely be standing and walking for long periods, so do not wear clothing that is overly restrictive.
Focus on building a positive relationship with the recruiters in whatever little time you have with them. You want to leave a good first impression, so make sure your entire time with recruiters is not spent talking just about yourself. It will benefit you to get to know them and their role in the organization better.
Afterwards
A few days after the event, consider writing thank-you letters or emails to some of the recruiters you spoke to. This courtesy will express your interest even more and help you to stand out among other applicants. Recruiters will meet numerous people during these events, so reaching out the day after will keep you on their minds.
Job fairs can be useful tools in your search, but only if you are ready for them. Take the time to prepare and research adequately to stand out. Remember, the purpose of job fairs is more about making connections than they are about completing an application. Even if you do not get hired on the spot, the networks you create can be just as valuable.