How to Be Successful at a Job Fair: Tips for Job Seekers

Attending a job fair can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, whether you're a recent grad or an experienced professional. The career fair environment is often noisy and busy, and it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. You're competing against a lot of other job seekers, all of whom want to land a position, and you only have a short period of time to make a great first impression. How do you stand out to potential employers who are already flooded with resumes or who have a line of job seekers waiting to speak with them?

One common misconception among job seekers is that preparing a resume is the only thing they need to focus on. There's no doubt that presenting yourself as a professional requires having a resume that is both well-formatted and up-to-date. To make the most of your time at a job fair, however, you'll need to do more than just print out your resume and hand it to potential employers.

Do Your Research and Have a Plan

Strategic planning is vital for career fair success. You have limited time and you want to make sure you speak with the potential employers who are most likely to have job opportunities for you. Most job fair organizers will publish a list of companies attending before the event. Take some time to research the companies so you understand what they do and what positions they are hiring for. This will help you narrow down which ones are most likely to have jobs that match your skill set. It will also give you a chance to look at company culture and location so you know if the organization will be a good fit for you. Have a list of your top employers and make sure you have time to speak with them.

Register in Advance

Even if registration is optional, you still want to make sure you register for the job fair and submit your resume in advance. You may not have time to talk to every employer, or you may overlook an organization that actually has the perfect job for you. Registering and submitting your resume will ensure every employer receives it and has the opportunity to follow up after the event, even if they don't meet you in person.

Dress Professionally

It's important to dress professionally for a job fair, but you also want to be comfortable. You'll be on your feet for most of the day and you don't want your clothing to distract you from networking or interviewing. Business casual is usually the best choice, although if the job fair is focused on an industry with a more casual or formal dress code, you may want to dress accordingly. Regardless, you should wear clothing that is neat, clean, and presentable. Choose comfortable shoes that you can walk in for hours if necessary. You want employers to remember you for your qualifications, not your fashion sense, and you definitely don't want to be remembered for wearing something inappropriate or offensive.

Polish and Tailor Your Resume

If it's been a while since you updated your resume, now is the time to do it. Review your resume and make sure the information is accurate and up-to-date; the formatting is easy to read, consistent, and professional; and you've corrected any typos or grammatical errors. If you're a recent grad, include any relevant internships or jobs you held during your studies. If you have several years of experience, focus on your most recent positions and achievements. Highlight any skills or qualifications that match the job descriptions of the positions you're interested in. Most importantly, make sure you've included your current contact information. Going to a job fair is a waste of time if employers can't contact you afterward!

If you're open to various positions, or if there is a specific company you want to apply for, prepare multiple resumes tailored to each opportunity. You can use the same base resume, but make sure you highlight the most relevant information for each position. For example, if you're applying for a customer service position, focus on your experience in customer service instead of leading with your most recent job as a machine operator.

Bring the Right Materials

Unless you're attending a virtual career fair, you'll need to print out and bring multiple copies of your resume. Having a physical copy to hand to a recruiter is still important, even if you registered and emailed your resume in advance. Recruiters meet a lot of people and will often make notes based on your conversation with them on your resume, which will help them remember you when they are reviewing resumes later. Bring enough copies to give to every employer you plan to speak with, as well as a few extra. You never know who you may meet.

Bring a professional-looking folder or portfolio to organize your resumes and any company literature or business cards you pick up. Your folder should also include a pen and paper so you can take notes during conversations. These will be invaluable later on when you're ready to follow up on your conversations with recruiters. It's also a good idea to bring a bottle of water so you can stay hydrated throughout the day.

Avoid overpacking. You will likely only be having brief conversations with prospective employers, so save the full portfolio for the actual job interview. Only bring what you are really going to need-- you don't want to be lugging a backpack, briefcase, or heavy bag around all day.

Memorize Your Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a short, self-introductory speech that gives employers a quick overview of who you are and what kind of job you're looking for. They're called elevator pitches because they should be brief enough to deliver in the time it takes to ride an elevator, usually about 30 seconds. Your elevator pitch should include your name, your current job title or desired position, a brief description of your skills and experience, and what you're looking for in a new role. Once you've got your pitch down, practice it until you can say it confidently and without too much hesitation. If you're nervous about meeting new people, memorizing your pitch will help you break the ice, feel more confident, and avoid any awkward silences. You have a limited amount of time with each employer, so you want to clearly and quickly explain who you are and what you’re looking for in your next job.

Practice Answering (and Asking) Basic Interview Questions

Even if you're not planning on an on-the-spot interview, it's always a good idea to be prepared. You never know what might happen! Review some common interview questions and practice your answers. Be prepared to talk about your experience, your skills, and what you're looking for in a new role. If an employer is interested in learning more about you, they may ask you to stay for a brief interview. For your top employers, have your own questions ready about the company or the position you're interested in. This will demonstrate your interest in the organization and help you obtain the information you need to determine your next move. Before the job fair, practice delivering your elevator pitch and answering typical interview questions. If possible, ask a friend or family member to role-play with you. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel on the day of the career fair.

Check Your Social Media Accounts

One of the steps in any employment search is taking the time to clean up your social media. Most employers will research an applicant's online footprint before extending a job offer, or even earlier in the hiring process, so you'll want to address this at the beginning of your job search. Before the job fair, set your accounts to private or clean up any posts that could reflect negatively on you.

Check In to the Career Fair Early

If possible, arrive at the job fair early so you have plenty of time to talk to all of the employers you're interested in. This will also give you the opportunity to talk to companies before the crowds start rolling in. The last thing you want is to miss out on talking to a recruiter because they had a long line or you didn't give yourself enough time.

Get a Business Card and Follow Up

Make sure you ask for a business card from every potential employer, especially if you had a good conversation with them. This is a good way to keep track of who you spoke with and ensure you have their contact information. Just don't forget to follow up! This is a crucial part of networking-- you don't want to let the connections you made go to waste. After career and job fairs, send a brief thank-you email to the employers you spoke with. Include a link to your online portfolio or website, as well as your contact information, and re-emphasize your interest in their company. This will help you stand out from other applicants and make it easy for them to learn more about you and reconnect if they want to schedule an interview.

Make the Most of Opportunities to Network

Although you should have a list of your top employers, don't discount the other recruiters at the job fair. Once you’ve met the recruiters on your list, take some time to walk around and talk to as many employers as possible. You may be surprised by the career opportunities that come from meeting with a potential employer you weren't originally interested in. Even if they don't have any open positions that fit your skill set, they may know someone who does. Recruiting agencies are especially good for this because they have strong professional relationships with many employers and often have insider knowledge about upcoming job openings, as well as the ability to put your resume directly in front of a hiring manager. Job fairs are a great opportunity to network and build relationships with potential employers, which are crucial to be successful in your current as well as your future job search.

Manage Stress and Put Your Best Foot Forward

It's normal to be a little nervous before career fairs. You're anxious to make a positive impression and get the attention of recruiters. It can feel especially overwhelming if you tend to become anxious in this type of environment or if you've been job hunting for a while and are impatient to land a position. If you feel your nerves getting the better of you, stop for a few minutes to take a deep breath and remind yourself that you're well-prepared and capable.

Even if you're nervous, get out there and do your best. This is your opportunity to make a great impression and sell yourself as the best candidate for the job. First impressions are crucial, so be sure to make eye contact and smile. Be friendly and express your interest in the position and the organization. Once you get started, you'll likely find it's not as difficult as you thought, especially if you've prepared and practiced ahead of time.

Prepare for Success

Job fairs can be a great opportunity for a job seeker to network with potential employers and make connections that can help them move forward in their career. However, it's important to remember that networking doesn't end when the job fair does. After the event, follow up with the employers you spoke with, send thank-you emails, and keep in touch. This will help you stay top of mind and increase your chances of getting an interview. Be prepared to discuss your career goals and experience with employers at the job fair, wear professional clothing, and have a list of the recruiters you want to talk to. By keeping these suggestions in mind, you can set yourself up for success at your next job fair.

Article Author:

Ashley Meyer

Divisional Business Coordinator

Albany, NY