Job fairs offer dozens of jobs. The problem? Hundreds of people are applying. It can be quite a challenge to stand out and make an impression in the brief interview with a company representative who is (no doubt) exhausted and distracted.But here are some tips on how to do well at job fairs, and hopefully, find the dream job that you’ve been waiting for.
Life tip 1: Go to as many job fairs as possible.
Not only does this increase the odds of finding and getting a job, you need the practice. You’ll get more and more used to answering interview questions, and the confidence and assertiveness will shine through.
You can find job fair announcements in websites like Monster.com or Careerbuilder.com. Newspapers will also list them in their events and community news pages. Don’t forget the college websites too—schools often organize job fairs for their graduates, but anyone can walk in and try their luck.
Life tip # 2: Find out who will be at the job fair.
Call the people who are organizing the job fair and find out which companies will be there. Then, do your ground work. Find out which ones you’re more interested in applying for, and then gather facts on the company background, mission, industry position, etc. All these can help you prepare answers that are very specific. For example, if they ask, ‘What are your greatest skills?’ Then you can say, ‘I’m very creative and I have a background in social media. From what I know, your company’s marketing efforts are now concentrated online—and this is exactly what I did in my last job.’
Even if you can’t work out something as obvious as this, many recruiters are impressed with candidates who are knowledgeable about the company. This means you are well-informed and thorough.
Life tip # 3: Dress for success.
Even though you won’t be having a full-blown interview, still dress up for the job fair. Leave the jeans and flip flops at home. Wear office chic and come armed with resume and cards.
Life tip # 4: Go to the job fair as early as you can.
You want to avoid the crowds, and hopefully catch the recruiters at a time when they can answer your questions or even chat with you. You won’t be able to have a lengthy conversation so think up of two or three sentences that will show how well you know the company and summarize your skills and experience. You can also ask for her contact info—many of them carry cards—and if you do get an interview then email a thank you note to him or her. This simple step will pave the way for your resume being put at the top of the pile.
Joninig job fairs are not the only ways to fast track your search for employment. Read our life tips on how to find a job in a recession
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