Job Fair Success Strategies

How job seekers actually approach a job fair can greatly affect its outcome.  Maintaining a positive attitude and creating a professional image can help job candidates develop an aura of confidence that sets them well apart from other potential candidates. Although attending job fairs is only a very small part of any job search strategy, there are few opportunities available where job seekers actually get to meet individual employers prior to obtaining an interview.  It is therefore essential that serious job candidates thoroughly prepare themselves prior to attending a job fair.  Listed below are 8 job fair strategies that will not only increase a candidate’s likelihood of success, but will also make them more comfortable with the entire job fair process.

8 Keys to Job Fair Success:

1. Do your research.

Take time to research participating companies prior to the job fair. After deciding which companies you most want to meet, take time to check each of their websites to learn more about the company and the jobs they have available.

2. Dress professionally and create a favorable first impression.

Since first impressions are critical when searching for a job, dressing professionally for a job fair makes perfect sense.  Conservative business attire is often preferred for both men and women but business casual may be appropriate for certain jobs or professions.  Also, attention to detail is important so be sure to wear comfortable, neat, well-polished shoes; carry a professional briefcase; go light on applying make-up and perfume; and ensure your hair is clean and well groomed and your nails are neatly manicured.  It is best to downplay tattoos and additional body piercings whenever possible. Dressing professionally relays the message to employers that you are a serious job candidate and you are fully engaged in the entire job search process.

3. Be prepared and develop a plan.

When arriving at a job fair it’s wise to first study the layout of the fair and check to see if any additional employers have been added to the list.  In addition to your resume, be sure to bring several pens, a notepad, and business cards to hand out.  You may also carry a cheat sheet that reminds you of important information on the companies you most want to meet. One job fair strategy you might want to employ is to plan on meeting your first choice employers first and then move on to your second and third choices.

4. Bring lots of resumes.

Be sure to bring extra resumes to the fair.  You may end up handing out more than one resume to participating employers, so it’s best to maximize your efforts by bringing an ample supply of resumes to avoid running out.  Make sure your resume is well prepared and looked over by at least one (preferably more) other person.  You may decide to bring along different versions of your resume. Targeting your resume to specific jobs and/or employers offers an opportunity to focus on specific skills and accomplishments that’s required for certain jobs or professions. Resumes should always be printed on professional white, gray, or ecru resume paper and free of photos or fancy fonts.

5. Meet and greet employers.

Since first impressions are critical in the interviewing process, be prepared to assertively introduce yourself with confidence and enthusiasm. Maintain direct eye contact, offer a firm handshake, sport a genuine smile, and show enthusiasm – since these are all attributes employers generally look for in their job candidates. Be prepared to give each employer a 30 – 60 second elevator speech that highlights your career objectives, strengths, interests, relevant skills and the type of job you are seeking. Be prepared to answer questions such as why you want to work for this particular company or why you feel that you would be an asset to the organization.

6. Practice and prepare questions for the interviewer.

The best way to prepare for an interview is to practice, practice, practice. Be sure to write down any vital information on the back of the employer’s business card to make it easier when you go to follow up.   Be prepared to ask each employer questions including how you can best arrange for a second interview.

7. Be prepared to network.

Career Fairs are all about networking.  It has been estimated that between 50% and 75% of all jobs are found through networking. By networking with recruiters, other job fair participants, and professional associations and/or employment agencies participating in the fair, you can increase your personal connections and improve your chances of getting called back for a second interview.

8. Don’t forget to follow up.

Following up with recruiters is one of the most important things job fair participants can do immediately after the job fair. Sending a personalized thank you note to each recruiter you meet, identifies you as a thoughtful and serious job candidate that they will want to get to know better.  By restating your interests in the company and your qualifications, you will likely be added to a list of potential candidates as future positions open up.  You may decide to enclose another copy of your resume with your letter to ensure that the employer has your information available.  Following up a thank you letter with a phone call can also increase your chances of being called back for an interview.

Remember there’s no guarantee that you’ll actually get a job by attending a job fair; but even if you don’t get offered an interview or a  job, you are taking positive steps that will increase your chances of finding a future job through the contacts you make and the networking you do at the fair.

Helpful Tips for Finding Your Dream Job

Self-Assessment

First, it’s important to thoroughly assess your personal values, interests, strengths, and personality so that you can best match your individual characteristic to a career that offers opportunities to learn and grow in ways that are important to you.  For those having difficulty assessing their own personality, skills, and values, there are career assessments that can help with the process. 

Career Exploration

Doing sufficient research on career options will help you identify potential opportunities and assess those options that are best for you based on your personal values, strengths, and interests. Networking with professionals in the field, doing informational interviews, and perhaps participating in a job shadow or even an internship may help to further solidify your interest in a particular career field. 

Decision Making

You may find yourself with several interests and feel totally confused and undecided.  If so, you may want to do more research to develop a better understanding of your choices.  Once you decide, you will need to explore the qualifications and requirements for the job.  You may find that you are qualified already or you may find that you will need to further your education by taking a class or committing yourself to completing a professional degree or certification program. Once you research the training and qualifications required, you will have a better understanding of what’s required to make your decision a reality. 

Plan of Action

 Creating a plan of action makes your career decision real. Whether it be searching for a job or an educational program, you can begin to establish a plan that makes your dream possible. Creating specific targeted objectives to help you reach your goals is the best way to achieve success.

 The Journey

Although changing careers can often be scary, once you begin the process it can be exhilarating to find yourself in control of making your dreams a reality.  A career that meets your unique personal traits and characteristics will lead on a new journey that will help you grow personally in new and exciting ways.  As the Chinese philosopher Confucius once said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” 

Since networking is still considered the #1 strategy in finding a job, it’s no wonder that social networking has taken off so quickly in being another way of finding and connecting with potential job sources.

If you haven’t done so already, you will want to check out LinkedIn, a social networking site for professionals.  LinkedIn provides an opportunity for professionals to connect and communicate with individuals who are currently working in their particular field of interest. LinkedIn also offers a chance to connect with people who know people you know in your network.

In today’s economy it is extremely important to use a number of different strategies when conducting a job search. Networking, reviewing online sites and classified ads, and prospecting with companies you’d like to work for are all effective strategies to uncover both advertised and unadvertised jobs that exist in the current job market.

Job Fair Success Strategies

How job seekers approach a job fair can greatly affect the outcome.  Maintaining a positive attitude and creating a professional image can help job candidates develop an aura of confidence that’s not possessed by the majority of the competition. Although attending job fairs is only a very small part of any job search strategy, there are few opportunities available where job seekers get to meet individual employers prior to obtaining an actual job interview.  It is therefore essential that serious job candidates thoroughly prepare themselves prior to attending a job fair.  Listed below are 8 job fair strategies that will not only increase a candidate’s likelihood of success, but will also make them much more comfortable with the whole job fair process. 

8 Keys to Job Fair Success:

1.       Do your research.

2.       Dress professionally and create a favorable first impression.

3.       Be prepared and develop a plan.

4.       Bring lots of resumes.

5.        Meet and greet employers.

6.        Practice and prepare questions for the interviewer.

7.        Be prepared to network.

8.        Don’t forget to follow up.

Even with approximately 14 million people currently looking for work and the average time now is six months to even find a job, there has been some reported turnaround recently in the following industries:

If you are currently unemployed, it’s important to remain  flexible in your job search and take the time necessary to research job vacancies as well as industries that are hiring.  Motivation is a key factor in keeping the job search going.  Although it’s difficult not to let the current economy affect your job search, individuals who stay positive and believe they are going to find a job - achieve the best results.

This week I have been reviewing the top 4 strategies for finding a new career. Of all four, this strategy is definitely the most important.  If we don’t take action in what we hope to accomplish, we will never achieve the results that we are looking for.

Once we’ve done a complete self-assessment, reviewed career options, and made some decisions on careers we’d like to pursue, it’s time to take some action.  This consists of looking for prospective jobs and/or employers, sending out cover letters and resumes, and beginning to do some networking with people currently working in the field. 

Once you send out your resume and cover letter, be sure to follow up with employers. If you are called in for an interview, take some time to research the employer’s website prior to the interview.  In the interview, be prepared to ask thoughtful questions based on your research.

In this competitive job market, making a professional impression is an absolute must if you hope to get hired.  This begins by sending a well developed resume and cover letter that’s targeted to the position and the employer to which you are applying. 

Follow up is also important since it lets the employer know that you really are interested and it will also hopefully encourage the employer to take out your resume and review it for a second time.  The interview is a time to wow the employer by doing your research  and taking the time to be well prepared for questions the employer might ask as well as having some questions of your own based on your knowledge of the position and the employer.