Top Tips for Attending Career Fairs

Career Fairs are not as common now as they have been in the past when employers found a shortage of qualified applicants but they can still be a good opportunity for the job searcher.  Many colleges still host career fairs for their graduates and some local career resource agencies may do the same.  If a job fair is being hosted in your area be prepared!  Here are some tips to help you be noticed among your fellow applicants.

Bring resumes and a folder or portfolio to hold your materials. [Business cards are also good to have.]  Always be prepared with a fresh crisp resume.  Most employers will ask that you submit a job application online, but some may want to look at your credentials on the spot.  Employers may also have job descriptions and other materials about the positions they are looking to fill and you'll want some way to protect these important papers.

Have a pen/pencil and paper available for notes.  Its a good idea to make notes about the jobs that really interest you.  You may need to copy down an email or web address or you may learn the name of the hiring manager you'll need to speak with.  Don't trust this information to memory, write it down!

Be prepared! Take the time to find out what companies will be represented before the day of the career fair.  Most career fairs will provide this information on a flyer or online.  Research information about the participating companies and organizations prior to approaching the recruiters. The internet is a great resource for this!  You can impress a recruiter when you know about his or her company and can discuss the latest news stories about its current situation. 

Use your time wisely.  If you are able to get a list of employers up front, look closely at it and decide which employers you are most interested in working for.  When you arrive at the fair, focus on these employers first.  Then if you have extra time, introduce yourself to the other recruiters.

Consider employers you may dismiss on first glance.  There may be job opportunities at employers you have not considered before. For instance, you may not have thought about working for your local hospital system but it takes professionals in many different fields to keep a hospital going.  Think about each employer and where your career goals might fit.

Have a great introduction.  If you are going to a career fair, it is almost a guarantee you are going to need to introduce yourself to someone you have not met before.  Be prepared with a short "elevator speech".  Be able to introduce yourself, and give a brief background of your experience.  And with brief I mean that your entire introduction should be less than a minute.  Remember to use good eye contact and a firm handshake.

Be aware of time demands on employers. Do not monopolize all of the time an employer has. Ask specific questions that show your interest and gather the information you need.  Offer to follow up after the fair on any opportunities you are truly interested in.

Ask the employer for the next steps in the recruitment process. Make sure you know whom to contact for follow-up discussions and try to obtain the recruiter’s business card so you can contact them again.  If you had a nice discussion with a recruiter, send them an email after the fair to thank them for their time, even if they did not have a position currently for you.  When they do have an opening, they are more likely to remember you if you go above and beyond.

Good luck at your next career fair!

Have more tips to add?  Leave them in our comments section below!