Job Fairs – 10 Tips if you are really going there

For those who don’t know, here are ten valuable tips to help job seekers find success at job fairs.

1. Dress Professionally

The general rule of thumb is to dress to fit the job for which you are applying…

2. Communicate What You Want and What You Have to Offer

Prior to attending a job fair, prepare a 30-second introduction and career overview: your “positioning statement.”…

3. Know What the Company Does

Call the sponsor(s) of the job fair, find out which companies will be there and do some advance research…

4. Plan Who You Want to Talk to and in What Order

You probably will not have time to talk to everyone…

5. Bring Your Resume

You should bring sufficient copies of your resume (printed on high-quality bond paper) for the employers you plan to target. Make sure your resume is targeted to the kind of job you are seeking, focuses on accomplishments, not responsibilities, and is two pages or less…

6. Ask Questions

The main purpose of attending a job fair is to gather information. What do employers look for in an employee? What are some of the current challenges they are facing? What kinds of positions exist within the company? How do they screen and make their hiring decisions?…

7. Be Aware of Proper Etiquette

Don’t smoke or chew gum. If there are refreshments, save them until you are ready to leave. Don’t bad mouth your current or last employer…

8. Make Your Objectives Known

Express more interest in the company literature than the key rings, post-it notes, and candy bars…

9. Collect Business Cards and Take Notes

Jot down notes while the employer is talking with you. Ask for the business card of everyone you speak with..

10. Follow Up

Send a thank-you letter within 24 hours to each employer you talked to at the fair…

via 10 Tips for Success at Job Fairs | CAREEREALISM.