A job fair is a recruiting event where representatives from various companies and organizations gather in one place and welcome a large number of job seekers aiming to network and explore their career chances throughout the fair.
One of the greatest opportunities to meet recruiters, hiring managers, and companies is at job fairs. These social events offer you a golden opportunity to network and get in touch with multiple companies and may even help you secure your ideal position, whether right away or as you advance in your career.
To ensure that you get the best out of your job fair experience, regardless if it’s your first time or not, we are happy to share with you in the following list some tips and tricks to help you get ahead and get the most out of your experience.
1- Update your resume
This is actually one of the most important things you should do before attending a career fair or applying for any job. You should construct a well-organized CV and include all your previous experiences, activities, skills, courses, and everything to help you showcase your value in the best way.
P.S. You should seek help from a professional if you are unable to write a proper resume and don’t forget to print several copies of your CV.
2- Register in advance
“Early bird gets the worm”, make sure you pre-register in the event to get ahead in the game. Fill out the application and send your resume and any document that employers are usually interested in.
3- Do your research
If you are looking for fast employment in big companies, it is very crucial to do your research. You should research the job fair, the companies attending, all prospective employers, and company employment ads.
4- Prepare a powerful portfolio
If you are seeking a creative position, it is good to prepare a portfolio of your previous work or samples, which will undoubtedly double your chances of getting multiple good job offers. Also, make sure to highlight your best qualities and skills, and don’t leave out any details.
5- Study the Job fair’s map and the companies joining
By learning the map of the event, you will save a lot of time, be more focused, and easily locate the companies you are after without getting lost.
6- Understand what employers are seeking in applicants
Most companies at career fairs are aiming to fill out entry-level positions, so it is important to know what you are looking for in addition to what the employers are looking for. For instance, if you are looking for a managerial job search the attending companies for your desired position.
7- Dress appropriately
Being presentable and wearing appropriate attire shows discipline, professionalism, and respect for work ethics, which will surely give you an advantage. It is advisable to dress formal with minimal accessories and makeup.
8- Network and collect business cards
Make time to speak with other job seekers in addition to the representatives. Exchange information about the companies and employment leads, and if you can, obtain their contact details or business cards.
9- Make your list of questions
In addition to being prepared to answer employers’ questions, you should also have your own list of questions to help you get more information about the companies and facilitate your decision if you get multiple job offers.
For example, you can ask if the company is looking to fill more than one position, or if it plans to expand or add a new product. You could also ask for more details about the company, its main goal, the work environment, and the company’s idea of a perfect employee.
10- Plan a follow-up strategy
After a job fair, contacting the company’s representative is crucial to getting an interview. Expressing interest in the company with a brief thank you note is recommended. On the final day of the job fair, you can also give the representative a call and thank them for their time that day by leaving a voicemail.
Written by Nada El-Margoushy
