Make a Job Fair Work for You – Kim Thompson

If you are in an active job search, more than likely you will hear about job fairs as a good way to meet employers. That’s true. Job fairs where broad to narrow industries are represented bring employers to you. Most job fair events are designed to give you opportunities to meet employers face to face, a chance to engage in a real, live conversation, even though it might be brief.

Half the challenge in searching for a good job is meeting people in person to talk about their hiring needs and your experience. Yet some people find job fairs helpful while others leave without real leads and that’s true with any type of networking event where potential employers are present.

The key to making a job fair work for you is planning and being selective. A good job fair will advertise the industries represented as well as specific employers, but not every event will match your background. Taking the time to research the companies and requirements before you attend will help make your time more effective.

Often the dilemma in attending a job fair is the effort and time spent but here is a question to consider: How will it hurt you to attend and meet new people as well as potential employers?

The great unknown connected to any job search is when and where you will find your next opportunity. The more you put yourself in contact and meet people, the greater your chances for finding a good job lead.

Once you attend the job fair, the goal is to make a good impression with the employers you’ll meet in person. Naturally there will be competition standing right behind you in line, but there are some strategies you can use that will help you stand out from the crowd.

Successful job fair participants share five practices that help them land good jobs and expand their opportunities.

1. Don’t think like everyone else. Job candidates who solely rely on their credentials to “speak for themselves” soon realize this is no longer sufficient. In today’s job market, you must think differently and know the unique value you bring to an employer. The herd mentality of sounding like everyone else is not enough to generate attention when talking about your background.
2. Understand the screening process. At a job fair, you will have limited face-to-face time and employers will review your resume in short order. They will be looking for typos, lack of key skills, messy appearances, gaps in your work history and experience. Successful job fair candidates make sure they pass the screening process by having a strong resume free of errors and displaying key words that match employers’ needs. Dress professionally — your attire sends a perception that supports your background.
3. Give facts. Exceptional job fair participants quickly describe their background and accomplishments by using facts either by quantifying and/or qualifying their contributions. Simply saying you are proficient in a skill is not enough, back it up with highlighting what makes you successful.
4. Have a great attitude. Sometimes job fairs can seem impersonal due to the number of participants, but a great attitude will always be remembered. Successful candidates carry a double set of expectations in wanting to identify and schedule interviews with companies that match their skills and network with others. Job fairs are great places to exchange information and network with others. Having a great attitude is attractive to everyone.
5. Follow-up. Most job fair candidates make the mistake of never following up after meeting with employers. Those who do show initiative and motivation in wanting to continue a dialogue about the positions discussed will stand out. Job fairs can be noisy and following up afterwards gives you a chance to develop stronger rapport and focus on the employer’s needs.

Reprinted from: SFGATE – http://blog.sfgate.com – 3.30.17