How to make the most of a Job Fair!

Why should you go to a Job Fair?

  • You can meet a potential employer IN-Person and make a personal, positive connection while delivering your resume
  • You will save the time and expense of mailing your resume
  • You will meet other job seekers and network in your job area
  • You can focus your energy on companies that have job openings and actively searching for new employees

Why do companies participate in Job Fairs?

  • To increase the visibility of their company.
  • To attract good applicants and meet them in-person.
  • To add to their applicant pool for future job openings.

Before the Job fair, it’s important to –

  • Research the companies that will be attending.
  • Target who you want to connect with and have a plan to make it happen.
  • Be open and flexible to all opportunities, ideas, and personal connections.

During the Job Fair

  • Dress and act professionally.  You may be meeting your new boss for the first time and you do not want your first impression to be anything less than professional. Your goal is to make a good impression and create an opening for additional contact.
  • Talk to someone at each booth on your target plan.  (If there is time, use it to speak to the remaining companies and their representatives.)  Apply the knowledge you learned from researching the company along with a 30-60 second commercial about yourself to “match” the job to you!  Have some questions prepared to ask about the company or the job.  Listen to the answers carefully, and take notes.
  • Don’t be shy to ask for other ideas or referrals. 
  • Take business card/company materials and ask the representative about the next step in the process.  For example:  “May I follow-up with you? When would be a good time? How should I follow-up -By phone, email, or letter?”
  • Thank them for their time.
  • Take notes and attach any contact information immediately.

Follow up after the Job Fair

  • Send Thank You notes to everyone you connected with.
  • Send your resume and cover letters to the companies that you didn’t
  • Have time to connect with but might still be interested in.
  • Follow-up (as promised) with the companies you met with.  Refer to your notes for specific reasons a particular job or company was a perfect match.