Navigating Job Fairs

Searching for a job is a stressful process for recent graduates. In these difficult economic times, it is even more challenging due to the high unemployment figures released each month. As you submit your resume to company after company online, you really don’t know if they’re even looking at your information. If they are, then you are just another faceless person thrown into a pile of hundreds or thousands of other applicants. While this is a grim description of the application process, going to a job fair can be a more uplifting experience.

Many colleges will host job fairs on campus. Usually, the job fairs have a common theme and will have companies from similar backgrounds set up shop. For instance, a college may sponsor a fair inviting all its economics majors to attend. The fair will feature investment companies and other businesses from the field. It is important that you research the businesses that will be present at the job fair. Many job fairs are swarming with people in the same boat as you. So, if you have a plan as to which companies you want to meet with, you can use your time much more productively.

Time management is the key to having a positive experience at a job fair. It is advised that you literally map out your day. These job fairs usually take place in huge spaces. You can expect to wait in long lines, so you should try to get to the booths that most interest you first. Arrive early! Have plenty of copies of your resume ready to distribute. You will only have a couple minutes, at the most, to speak with the representatives at each booth. Be cordial, respectful, and show your excitement for their company.

When your turn actually arrives to speak with a representative, be sure to be direct. Remember, they are going to meet hundreds of other applicants. You want to highlight your strengths and try to provide something that will differentiate you from the pack. Ask for a business card or email address from the person with whom you are speaking so that you can send a follow-up email thanking them for their time. Don’t go into a job fair expecting to land a job that day. In fact, if you are offered a job at a fair, never accept the position on the spot. Do you due diligence to fully research the company. Job fairs should be treated as a jumping off point in your job search.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 at 11:05 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.