Top 8 Tips For Job Fair Success

Walking into a job fair may seem like a daunting task. You may be one of hundreds of candidates vying for a recruiter’s attention, but you can earn an advantage over the competition by following these top tips for job fair success.

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1. Do Your Homework

Most companies have to pre-register if they plan to have a booth at a job fair. This information is generally made available to participants. See which companies are hiring people with your skill set and then make an effort to visit those recruiters first while you’re still fresh and have copies of your resume available. In many cases, the job fair organizers will provide participants with a floor plan or map of the company locations. Since job fairs can be overwhelming, bring a highlighter or pen with you to mark the places you need to visit first. You should also mark off the companies that you speak to, so that you can remember to follow-up after the event.

2. Arrive Early

Recruiters are at their best at the beginning of the job fair, too, so plan to arrive when the event begins to attract the most attention. Be prepared to answer some brief interview questions on the spot or fill out applications for some employers.

3. Bring Extra Copies Of Your Resume

Even though you have target companies that you’ll want to visit, bring extra copies of your resume in case you see an employer or position opening that appeals to you the day of the job fair. You don’t need to hand out your resume aimlessly, but bring at least a dozen extra copies above what you need for your target companies.

4. Practice Your Elevator Speech

In this economy, job fairs attract hundreds of candidates. In order to be noticed – and remembered – by recruiters, you should have a 30 second or less pitch about who you are and what value you would add to the employer. It takes a while to perfect your pitch, so write it out, revise it and practice several times before the job fair.

5. Wear Comfortable Shoes

This may seem like a no-brainer, but participating in a job fair can be grueling both emotionally and physically. You won’t be able to be your best self for the recruiters if you’re in excruciating pain because of uncomfortable footwear. Most job seekers dress professionally for job fairs and you should do that, too, but make comfortable business-appropriate shoes a priority.

6. Bring A Bottle Of Water And Hand Sanitizer

You’re going to get thirsty from talking to all those recruiters, so bring a bottle of water to refresh yourself. While many job fairs provide refreshments to participants, it’s not a given. You’ll feel much better if you can hydrate yourself during the event. Hand sanitizer is also a great thing to bring to cut down on passing germs back and forth with all the handshakes you’ll be doing. Using hand sanitizer is also a good way to prevent sweaty palms if you’re nervous.

7. Just Say No To Giveaways

It’s perfectly acceptable to take some company literature if you’re interested in a company, but try to stay away from taking giveaways and extra items from all of the employers. These items weigh you down and make you tired. Remember, you’re there to find a job, not to get a new stress ball. If you must take items, consider bringing a messenger bag or briefcase with a shoulder strap to put the items into so your hands are free for sealing a conversation with a firm handshake.

8. Follow Up Within 48 Hours

Recruiters meet lots of candidates at job fairs. If you want to set yourself apart from the competition, take business cards and send thank you e-mails after the event. In your e-mail, you should reference when and where you met and the position that interests you. You most likely won’t receive a response from the recruiter, but it might help move your resume to the top of the pile. Be sure to check out the video below for a bonus tip! Enjoy this article? You've got time for another! Check out these related articles:

• How To Handle Tough Interview Questions
• How To Screw Up At A Career Fair

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