What Questions Should You Ask at a Job Fair?

When you visit a job fair, do not let the event’s misleading name make you believe the point is for job recruiters to court you and win your favor. Obviously, companies want to attract better candidates, but it is your job to market yourself to potential employers and land that coveted callback. Conduct thorough research on participating companies before you go so you can set yourself apart from other networkers.

A job fair gives you the opportunity to reach influential job recruiters from multiple companies at once, providing invaluable interview practice. Job fair coordinators usually publish a list of companies attending, letting you prioritize and research the businesses you want to learn more about. Prepare interview questions in advance, so you do not have to waste time at the event asking basic information about the company’s industry or size. Instead, ask job recruiters about the hiring process, company standards, workflow and company culture.

1. What Skills and Education Do You Expect From Most Candidates?

Asking about expectations at a job fair gives recruiters the impression that you are willing to keep learning and improving yourself to take on increasingly specialized roles. This question simultaneously gives you an entry point to discuss your relevant qualifications. If your work history is limited, talk about internships, volunteer positions or study-abroad programs that helped you develop your professional skills. Go a step further by inquiring about the types of training the company offers to keep employees up-to-date with current business practices.

2. What Are the Most Important Company Goals and Challenges?

Keep this question current by asking about the most pressing company priorities in the next six months. While your competitors are enthusiastically talking about their hard-working mentality and creative-thinking abilities, make yourself stand out by offering details of your achievements. Use your knowledge as a mid-level or veteran professional to explain how you have approached relevant challenges or contributed to company accomplishments in the past. Paint a picture job recruiters can easily remember, so they have no trouble recalling who you are when reviewing your resume later.

3. Can You Describe Your Company Culture?

Asking about company culture gives you a chance to compare the benefits of different working environments. Atmosphere has a deep impact on your long-term job satisfaction, so try to determine the average workload the company expects for most employees. If being overworked makes your productivity take a dive, gravitate towards more relaxed companies, and avoid employers that do not seem concerned about a healthy work-life balance.

4. What Do You Enjoy About Working for the Company?

You do deserve to be courted after you've put in the work to make yourself attractive to recruiters at the job fair, so let them tell you what makes the company impressive in their own words. Listen thoroughly for clues that upper management is respectful and encouraging towards other employees.

Job fairs have stood the test of time because they offer you and job recruiters an opportunity to skip past the faceless resume stage and demonstrate your value in person. Make sure all your interview questions have a purpose, and avoid statements that detract from your professional image.

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