Benefits of Job Fairs

Job fairs are being utilized by an increasing number of recruiters. This is because they offer a cost-effective and convenient way to contact a large number of candidates in a relatively short time. Job fairs also offer similar benefits to candidates ~ as long as you know how to work them. Plan in advance and your job fair visit will be very worthwhile. Be sure to investigate all participating companies in advance. Obtain a list of these companies from fair organizers, and begin to research about six to ten companies that may be of particular interest to you. In making your decision, consider the type of candidates sought, company location, company reputation, etc. Once you've drawn up your list, do some research on these companies at your local library, on the worldwide web, or through directly contacting the company. Be sure to uncover basic information such as company product and services, company size, etc. You may even want to determine what the company's philosophy or approach is. In particular, what they emphasize in their literature. Write down information obtained on index cards, notebook, or in a PC file.

Your next step is to check out your own communication tool for the fair, your resume. Be sure to give it a once-over to make sure that it highlights and showcases your skills in a professional and concise way. If it doesn't, revise it in advance of your visit to the job fair. Now it's time to put both items together. For each company that you have researched, write down the basic information obtained. Next to this information, list some skills, qualifications, achievements, or specialized training from your resume that would match the company's 'ideal' candidate. A typical entry in your notebook may look like this:

ABC Corporation
Produce and sell office products and equipment.
Pittsburgh Based
550 Employees
Family Owned and Operated with Strong Commitment to Customer Service
Looking for Sales Professionals
Five years of outside sales experience coupled with an Associate's Degree In Marketing.
Worked in retail during school; completed an internship; have strong letters of recommendation for friendliness and courtesy to customers.

As the date for the job fair approaches, check out your logistics. Make sure that you know where the event is being held, where to park, job fair hours, etc. Depending on the number of companies scheduled to attend, it's a good idea to give yourself at least one and ½ hours to talk with prospective employers. Be sure to dress appropriate for the fair, and bring along 10-12 copies of your resume. It's also a good idea not to get to the job fair as soon as it begins ~ many recruiters will still be setting up their display tables. Try to arrive about 45 minutes to one hour after the official start time. Look for your targeted companies ~ did they all show up? How busy are they at the moment? If a recruiter is busy talking to other candidates, look for another targeted company whose table is free. The trick is to minimize waiting in line, and maximize talking and meeting time. Be sure to shake hands with the recruiter and introduce yourself. Provide them with a copy of your resume to look over, along with your references, or any letters of recommendation you may have. As they review your resume, describe your background and qualifications. Make this a brief, to the point presentation recapping your skills and abilities.

Hello Mr. or Mrs. ________. My name is ______________. I'm interested in ABC Corporation because of your reputation for strong customer service. Since your company is a manufacturer and distributor of office supplies and equipment, I am confident my experience in outside sales would be greatly beneficial. As you can see on my resume, I've also earned a degree in Marketing, and have a proven track record of successful job performance. Today, I'd like to find out a little more about ABC and its employment opportunities.

At this point, the recruiter would likely have some additional questions about your qualifications and also provide you with information about current job vacancies. Keep your talk concise ~ your total time spent with a recruiter should not be more than eight to ten minutes. To wrap up, thank the recruiter for their time, express an interest in a more formal interview in the future, and ask for a business card in order to send a follow-up thank-you letter. After you've talked with the recruiters of your 'targeted' companies, talk with other employer representatives if time permits. By doing this, you can often uncover information about certain companies and jobs that you were unaware of prior to the job fair. Finally, take one last tour of the area before you leave, and stop by the tables of any recruiters who had been especially helpful or interested in your background. Reintroduce yourself, remind them of your earlier talk, and reiterate your interest in talking with them at a later date. A really great site for searching out job fairs is located at http://www.hrlive.com. You can do a specialized search here for specific dates and career interests. Be sure to visit this site to find out all the information you need to know on upcoming job fairs throughout the United States.

--Kay LaRocca is Vice President Corporate Services for CareerSoar.com. Her email address is kay@careersoar.com.