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How to Work a Job Fair!

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Kimberly Myers, CWDP
Kimberly Myers, CWDP

This document provides tips for effectively working a job fair, from preparation through follow up. It advises researching employers attending to identify top targets and tailor your resume. At the fair, dress professionally and have an introduction highlighting relevant skills and experience. Meet with priority employers, offer your resume, and ask questions to learn about opportunities. Follow up with thank you notes and applications to stay on recruiters' radars. The goal is to make meaningful connections and learn about potential jobs and companies.

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How to Work a Job Fair …and make it work for you!
Outline 1. Why attend a job fair? 2. Why do employers attend? 3. What to expect 4. How to prepare 5. Plan of attach 6. Follow-up
Why Attend a Job Fair?? Learn about specific employers & their application processes Explore career options & research areas of interest Establish contact with employers-Network Practice your interviewing skills Apply for jobs & internships Get free stuff!!
Why Do Employers Attend? 97% provide job openings & company information to solicit applicants & maintain visibility 84% discuss company benefits Scout for talent, skill & “fit” for their companies
What to Expect Vary in size and number of employers Employers stand/sit at tables often with displays or booths Can have a wide range of companies, start- ups, enterprises, staffing agencies, training providers, and career counselors Some employers might interview on the spot, but most will refer to online application
Well-known employers will have lines Very noisy, crowded and warm What to Expect
BEFORE THE EVENT How to Work a Job Fair
Decide What You Want Have reasonable expectations Decide what you want to get out of the fair – Learn about specific employers? – Explore career options – Make one-on-one contact with key connections – Research demand for your skills – Practice interview skills in informal setting
Preparation and Research Why is this important? Being informed makes you more confident If you know about employers at the fair, you can clearly articulate how you are a good fit
Researching employers: Type of organization, business or agency Mission statement & core values Reputation Recent news and articles New programs, plans, challenges, etc. Preparation and Research
Where Can I Get Info? Company websites LinkedIn Company Page Facebook/Twitter pages Puget Sound Business Journal / WSJ Dun & Bradstreet
Before You Go  Organize your materials a. Bring at least 25 resumes b. Have TARGETED resumes c. Do you have business cards? d. Have a notebook to keep resumes, business cards and employer information e. Have a list of questions for employers and take notes!
Before You Go  Prepare Yourself! a. Have a personal summary ready b. Prepare to interview (just in case!) c. Obtain most current employer list and find relevant job openings– target your preparations to those openings d. Know what you’ll wear e. Review online applications in advance, note any questions on process you may have to ask recruiters
DURING THE EVENT How to Work a Job Fair
What to Wear? Dress professionally – Business suits make the best impression – Business Casual is acceptable Wear comfortable shoes! Because of crowds, leave backpacks home Be prepared for weather– you may have to park a ways away
Have a Strategy Research ahead of time if you can Have 4-5 employers targeted to speak to Obtain an event map (if available) Prepare for lines– most popular employers will likely have long lines Be alert to other conversations– you’ll learn something!
Meeting Recruiters Typical time spent with recruiter is 1-3 minutes Give a brief (30-60 seconds) personal introduction Explain how your background & strengths match their needs Offer your resume Be sincere Be professional!
Your Personal Introduction Name, background, 2-3 skills or strengths that match the company’s needs Show passion for what you do Highlight a relevant accomplishment Have a question ready to ask employers (remember time constraints)
Questions to Ask Employers Who would be an ideal match for this opening? What kind of projects could I expect to work on? Can you tell me about the application process? What can I do in school or in projects to make myself a better match for your company? What do you like about working for your company?
Before Moving On Request a business card and ask “Would it be possible to contact you?” Ask about their preferred method for follow up (e-mail, etc) Shake hands and thank them for coming
After Meeting Your Target Employers Track which employers you submitted resumes to– jot down notes from each employer “Shop” other employers’ booths and do some networking If there are associated workshops or presentations, plan on attending Remember that job fairs are just as much about networking opportunities as they are about jobs!
AFTER THE EVENT How to Work a Job Fair
After the Job Fair If you did not do research before the Job Fair, do so before submitting your application Send a thank you note that affirms your interest Submit your TARGETED application or resume following company procedures Stay in touch periodically, IE: sending them your updated qualifications Employers do expect follow-up The point is to stay Top of Mind– but don’t become a nuisance!

More Related Content

How to Work a Job Fair!

  • 1. How to Work a Job Fair …and make it work for you!
  • 2. Outline 1. Why attend a job fair? 2. Why do employers attend? 3. What to expect 4. How to prepare 5. Plan of attach 6. Follow-up
  • 3. Why Attend a Job Fair?? Learn about specific employers & their application processes Explore career options & research areas of interest Establish contact with employers-Network Practice your interviewing skills Apply for jobs & internships Get free stuff!!
  • 4. Why Do Employers Attend? 97% provide job openings & company information to solicit applicants & maintain visibility 84% discuss company benefits Scout for talent, skill & “fit” for their companies
  • 5. What to Expect Vary in size and number of employers Employers stand/sit at tables often with displays or booths Can have a wide range of companies, start- ups, enterprises, staffing agencies, training providers, and career counselors Some employers might interview on the spot, but most will refer to online application
  • 6. Well-known employers will have lines Very noisy, crowded and warm What to Expect
  • 7. BEFORE THE EVENT How to Work a Job Fair
  • 8. Decide What You Want Have reasonable expectations Decide what you want to get out of the fair – Learn about specific employers? – Explore career options – Make one-on-one contact with key connections – Research demand for your skills – Practice interview skills in informal setting
  • 9. Preparation and Research Why is this important? Being informed makes you more confident If you know about employers at the fair, you can clearly articulate how you are a good fit
  • 10. Researching employers: Type of organization, business or agency Mission statement & core values Reputation Recent news and articles New programs, plans, challenges, etc. Preparation and Research
  • 11. Where Can I Get Info? Company websites LinkedIn Company Page Facebook/Twitter pages Puget Sound Business Journal / WSJ Dun & Bradstreet
  • 12. Before You Go  Organize your materials a. Bring at least 25 resumes b. Have TARGETED resumes c. Do you have business cards? d. Have a notebook to keep resumes, business cards and employer information e. Have a list of questions for employers and take notes!
  • 13. Before You Go  Prepare Yourself! a. Have a personal summary ready b. Prepare to interview (just in case!) c. Obtain most current employer list and find relevant job openings– target your preparations to those openings d. Know what you’ll wear e. Review online applications in advance, note any questions on process you may have to ask recruiters
  • 14. DURING THE EVENT How to Work a Job Fair
  • 15. What to Wear? Dress professionally – Business suits make the best impression – Business Casual is acceptable Wear comfortable shoes! Because of crowds, leave backpacks home Be prepared for weather– you may have to park a ways away
  • 16. Have a Strategy Research ahead of time if you can Have 4-5 employers targeted to speak to Obtain an event map (if available) Prepare for lines– most popular employers will likely have long lines Be alert to other conversations– you’ll learn something!
  • 17. Meeting Recruiters Typical time spent with recruiter is 1-3 minutes Give a brief (30-60 seconds) personal introduction Explain how your background & strengths match their needs Offer your resume Be sincere Be professional!
  • 18. Your Personal Introduction Name, background, 2-3 skills or strengths that match the company’s needs Show passion for what you do Highlight a relevant accomplishment Have a question ready to ask employers (remember time constraints)
  • 19. Questions to Ask Employers Who would be an ideal match for this opening? What kind of projects could I expect to work on? Can you tell me about the application process? What can I do in school or in projects to make myself a better match for your company? What do you like about working for your company?
  • 20. Before Moving On Request a business card and ask “Would it be possible to contact you?” Ask about their preferred method for follow up (e-mail, etc) Shake hands and thank them for coming
  • 21. After Meeting Your Target Employers Track which employers you submitted resumes to– jot down notes from each employer “Shop” other employers’ booths and do some networking If there are associated workshops or presentations, plan on attending Remember that job fairs are just as much about networking opportunities as they are about jobs!
  • 22. AFTER THE EVENT How to Work a Job Fair
  • 23. After the Job Fair If you did not do research before the Job Fair, do so before submitting your application Send a thank you note that affirms your interest Submit your TARGETED application or resume following company procedures Stay in touch periodically, IE: sending them your updated qualifications Employers do expect follow-up The point is to stay Top of Mind– but don’t become a nuisance!