Purpose of a Job Fair
Job Fairs are not interviews. They are a networking opportunity for you to secure an interview. Attending Job Fairs can assist you in developing a career path and learning more about the industry in which you plan to work. Depending on the size of the event, allow at least 1-2 hours for circulating through the room. Really hot companies will always have several people in line for them and you will need to allow time for this.
Before the Job Fair
- Bring a minimum of 25-30 copies of your resume to give to recruiters.
- Use a briefcase or portfolio to carry your resumes in.
- Develop a resume that can be read in less than 1 minute. Preferably one page.
- Dress appropriately! Wear comfortable shoes. Dress as you would for an interview.
- Obtain a list beforehand of companies that will be attending and conduct research on them. Check out their web pages!
- Prepare a 2 minute introduction before the Job Fair. Be prepared to describe the job opportunities you’re looking for and the skills/experiences that you have to offer. Please practice this before you go to the Fair.
Looking the Part
A Candidate only gets SEVEN seconds to make a great first impression… and a call for an interview. It can make or break your success.
There are benefits to looking professional. Part of staying competitive is portraying an image that co-workers and clients respect. It instills self-confidence. ·Always dress for the job you want, not the one you have. You need to dress professionally for every Job Fair or interview even if the company has a casual dress policy.
Attention to detail is crucial. Here are some tips for both men and women:
- Always wear clean and polished conservative dress shoes
- Make sure you have a well-groomed hairstyle
- Pay attention to your nails: cleaned and trimmed fingernails are a must
- Wear minimal cologne or perfume
- No visible body piercings beyond conservative ear piercings for women
- Make sure you have well-brushed teeth and fresh breath
- No gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth- they create a distraction
- Wear minimal jewelry. No body odor!
At the Job Fair
- Arrive on time and obtain a list of booth locations and employers.
- Identify 3-5 companies that interest you and make a secondary list of employers.
- When meeting a recruiter, be direct. Introduce yourself with a smile and a firm handshake.
- Your goal is to get an interview. Let them know that you’re interested.
- If they don’t ask for it, leave your resume with the employer before leaving the booth.
- Always get a business card from the employer.
- Don’t forget to network with the other participants.
- Be flexible! If the next company on your list has a long line, go to another one and come back later.
- It is rare for someone to be offered a job on the spot. Understand that the employer will follow up with you if he/she is interested. It’s very important that you follow up with the employer.
Handling Dialogue
You will have a very limited time with employers and will need to make a good impression and gain valuable information quickly. Carefully prepared questions can help you to learn about the company and discuss your skills.
Here are some sample questions for you to use with potential employers to open a dialogue
- “What skills and characteristics are you looking for in a staff accountant?”
- Once the employer answers the question, follow up by using that information to sell yourself.
- “As you can see from my experience, I have…”
- Have a list of 3-4 questions that you can ask every employer. (This will be practiced)
- Have at least one of those questions be specific to that employer.
- Examples: projects, products, qualifications they are looking for, typical day
After the Job Fair
Follow up with a thank-you letter. If you have changes to your resume, send a revised copy along with your thank-you letter. Try to send the letter within 48 hours. If the recruiter has indicated that they would like to interview you, ask them when you should expect to hear from them. If you don’t hear from them by the time they specified, you should contact the recruiter.
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