It can be intimidating walking into a career fair...all of those employers waiting for YOU to come and
meet them. However, if you're armed with the knowledge and confidence that you need, this could be the beginning of a
new - or - better career.
Do Your Research
Treat the career fair as a bunch of mini
interviews. Find out beforehand what companies are going to be there and which ones you're interested in talking to. For
those organizations, do your research just like you would for a 'real' interview. Your enthusiasm will be apparent
to the employer, and that is a good thing.
It takes a lot to stand out in a career fair. By showing your
knowledge about the company and/or industry, you prove that you might just have that extra something they're looking for
in an employee.
Dress the Part
The first impression you make on an employer is extremely important.
Don't make it a negative one. Dress as you would dress for an interview. Yes, that may mean uncomfortable high heals or
hot suits and ties, but you want to be sure you don't dress too casually. Employers may think you're not taking the
career fair seriously and that you're just wasting their time.
Act Like You're 'On'
It can be difficult to remember while you're walking around at a career fair that employers could be watching
you. Especially those you have already spoken to. So be careful what you do while deciding your next step, so to speak.
Try not to do anything that might be construed as negative. Watch your facial expressions - grimaces, rolling your
eyes, exasperation - all things you want to avoid. If you just spoke with an employer and then as you were walking away, sighed
and rolled your eyes, you might want to cross that company off your potential list.
Be Prepared
Whatever you do, be sure you have several copies of your resume and cover letter. Better still, for the companies that you know you're going to speak with, write a specific one for them, just like when
you apply to job postings. You might not be able to be as specific as you would in that situation, but bringing some non-generic
job search documents along with you can serve as a great start to a conversation with a company.
In addition to your resume package, you may want to have a few copies of your references. Even though it's not common for an employer ask for references
at a career fair, you never know what they may throw at you.
Remember, a career fair should be treated as a real
way to network and obtain job leads. No matter what kind of career fair it is, that one event could be a key to making connections
that can help you get a job now or in the future.
Career fair is an interactive job resource designed for people of all ages. If you desire to find the right
career, discover different career options, or plan future education and training, you've come to the correct place! If
you are interested to start a new career or if you are looking for a new job environment, you can always visit a career fair,
because they are one of the best places to gather information on what type of jobs are available, and what type of qualifications
are needed. While career fairs are easy to attend, they can sometimes be difficult to find.
Before outlining exactly
how you can go about finding career fairs, it is very important that you first know exactly what they are. Career fairs are
actions that are almost always open to the general community and held in public locations, like shopping malls. Although career
fairs can differ, most employer participants set up their own tables or stands. These stands are often accompanied by printed
information, brochures, or pictures about the company in question. Each stands are often occupied with a couple of company
representatives; representatives who are able to accept applications or resumes, as well as answer any questions that job seekers may have.
Now that you know what career fairs are, you may be
wondering exactly how you can go about finding them. While it comes to finding a career fair, one of the finest things that
you can do is keep your eyes and your ears open. For example, many of the career fairs that are hosted in shopping centers
are advertised weeks or sometimes even months in advance. Since career fairs are generally held in local shopping centers,
you are advised to always be on the watch out for any career fair signs or banners. If you are not capable to visit your local
shopping center or other public establishments, you can always trying calling them once a month or so to see if any career
fairs are listed for the future.
Career fairs are often advertised in local newspapers as well. While in sequence
about a career fair may appear in different newspaper sections, it is common to find information about them in the employment section of a newspaper. Although it is not as common as newspaper advertisements, many career fairs are also advertised online.
If you have rights to use to any local business websites or message boards, you may be able to find information on an upcoming
career fair.
Community boards are a new way that career fair organizers go about advertising their upcoming career
fairs. Since most career fairs are planned months in advance, many organizers have the time to go around the neighborhood
and hang-up signs. Lots of career fairs are advertised on college campus community bulletin boards. Businesses where those
looking for work are likely to hang out may also have bulletin boards that may have information on available job openings or career fairs. These sorts of businesses tend to include restaurants or coffee houses.
You can also
visit your local career counseling center, where you will get very useful suggestions and advises. These kinds of centers
are where you should be able to receive assistance with finding a job. Most career centers are staffed with those who are educated on the art of finding, applying for, and landing a job. If you do include a local
career center in or around your community, they are often the first ones to know about an upcoming career fair. That is why
it is advised that you get in touch with your local career center to ask if they know about any upcoming career fairs. If
they do, be sure to get the important information, like when and where.
You will be able to discover and attend
any career fairs in your locality if you keep these points in mind. For the best chance of success, when attending a career
fair, make sure that you bring many copies of your resume, dress for success, and be prepared for an onsite interview, because
they do frequently happen.
