Job Fair Tips!

Are you thinking about attending an upcoming job fair? These tips below will help you maximize your time there!!

Before the job fair:

• If you are able to obtain a list of companies that will be at the job fair, spend some time researching the companies ahead of time to see if they have your “dream job” currently available. If so, go to those booths when you get to the job fair and mention the posting and that you’d be the perfect fit, etc.
• Bring extra copies of your resume (even if you already pre-registered for the job fair).
• Bring personal business cards.
• Prepare your 30-second elevator speech/positioning statement that covers who you are and what you can offer employers. (For additional information on this, see our career tips blog. Remember, you want to sell them on you with a great first impression. **If you have worked with Schofield Strategies on your resume, then you can utilize your personal branding summary statement at the top of your resume to develop your 30-second elevator speech/positioning statement.
• Prepare for on-the-spot interviewing.

At the job fair:

• First go to a few booths for companies where you DO NOT want to work. This will let you try out your 30-second elevator speech/positioning statement and on-spot interview responses with companies you are not that interested in which will allow you to refine your speech as needed.
• Network, network, network (even with other job seekers… you never know who they may know).
• Ask for business cards from the representatives at the companies you are most interested in.
• Don’t be surprised if most companies tell you they will take your resume but you have to apply online through their website anyway.

After the job fair:

• Go through all of the business cards that you collected and connect with your new professional contacts via LinkedIn right after the event to thank them for their time.
• Submit your resume online for the companies/positions you are most interested in.
• Don’t get discouraged! Remember that a job fair is first and foremost a professional networking opportunity! If no job offer comes from it, don’t be discouraged – think about how many professional connections you have made and the networking and on-the-spot interviewing skills you have gained – which will help you as you move forward in your job search!

Note: This blog post only touches on certain aspects of this topic and is not a comprehensive list. This blog post is an educational and informational resource for job seekers and is not a substitute for working with a resume writer or other professional. See our Terms and Conditions for additional information.