Job Fair Etiquette

 

How to Make Them Work for You

Employers make use of job fairs to attract and screen candidates. Job fairs offer an opportunity for a superficial contact with hundreds of candidates and the chance to select a few for intensive follow-ups.

 

As a candidate, job fairs are an important method of making an in-person contact with organizations already of interest to you and of applying to other companies you may discover at the fair.

 

Watch the Preparing for a Career Fair JobBound video and/or read below for more in-depth information on making job fairs work for you.

 

Learn Who's Coming Ahead of Time

Generally, you can learn the names of most, if not all, the employers who plan to participate. Narrow the list down to those of most interest and begin to research their products/services and employment needs.

 

Contact Employers of Special Interest Ahead of the Fair

Send a strong letter expressing your interest adding a resume slanted to their needs to all companies in which you have a special interest. Point out that you will be in touch with them at the fair-- and are looking forward to it.

 

Prepare a 30-second Summary of Your Qualifications.

Job fairs offer only brief contact with organizations so be prepared to make the most of your time. Work up an interesting verbal summary of your background, achievements, and career interests so you won't be fumbling for words at the wrong time. See p. 25 of the Career Development Guide for further details on developing a 30-second commercial.

 

Dress the Part

The first impression you create is critical so dress in conservative, professionally-tailored, well-pressed clothing. How you look will play a big part in determining employer interest. See the "Dressing for Interviews and the Workplace" article of the Career Development Guide. Also check out:

• Dress for Success - JobBound video
• Dress for Success video on Career Insider
  Create an account/log into Career Insider, click on Video from the top menu, then click on the Job Search and Interview Advice channel, then Dress for Success.

Arrive Early and Plan to Stay Late

Get there when it opens and plan to stay for awhile. There will be many companies and lines may be long so count on being there. Be prepared to talk about what you want to do. Don't just rush in and drop off your resume without having a conversation.

 

Take the Right Things with You

Take along a supply of resumes; they are important even with companies whom you contacted ahead of time. Also bring a list of references, but if you give out names of references at the fair be sure to contact those people immediately afterwards to notify them that they may be hearing from XYZ Company. Carry an attractive pen, note pad, etc.

 

Know What You Are Going to Ask

Try to have one or two questions in mind for each employer. The questions should reflect the research you have done on the employer and your interest.

 

Learn What's Going to Happen Next

As you leave each employer, learn what happens next and what, if anything, you should do to advance your candidacy.