2009 Job Fair Survival Guide

Job fairs are a common method of entry level recruiting and initial screening. Job Fairs allow the employer to meet the highest possible number of prospects in the shortest possible amount of time. For students and job seekers, job fairs provide an opportunity to meet with multiple employers in the same day.

However, unless you are prepared, you could end up wasting your time at a job fair.  Employers screen candidates quickly, based on appearances, communication skills, and first impressions.  Job fairs have a set of rules and protocols all their own.   But if you arrive prepared and with a Job Fair Strategy you can easily make Job Fairs a productive and effective job search tool.

Prepare your professional resume and cover letters

Prior to attending make sure that your resume is customized to the job, company, or career field in which you are applying? Is your resume brief, easy to read, professional, and on target? Have you had your resume proofed by one or more individuals? Are your resume copies clear, clean, and straight and printed on resume quality stationery?  Do you have enough copies prepared? Place your resume copies in a nice folder or portfolio so you can access them easily when walking through the job fair. If your resume is 2 or more pages make sure you have presorted copies ready to hand out so that you are not fumbling around trying to find all the individual pages in front of the prospective recruiter or employer.

Dress to Impress

Are you dressed to make the best impression? Your attire should be conservative and professional. Your clothing should be neat, clean, and freshly pressed. Shoes and socks should match and be neat and clean. Wear conservative or minimal jewelry. Do not wear caps or hats of any kind. Do not wear social attire. You are not going out on a date or to a club so do not wear social attire or clothes that are too tight, too short or seductive.  If in doubt about what is proper attire, ask your family, teacher or other professional if they think your clothing is appropriate.

Don’t forget these personal grooming tips

Are you well groomed? Have you bathed? Is your hair  neat, clean, and combed?  Do you need a hair cut?  Have you brushed your teeth? Are your hands clean and not sticky? Ask yourself if you would want to shake your hand?  Are your fingernails cleaned and clipped? Did you shave and put on deodorant? Are you wearing too much cologne or perfume?  Do not skip showering and try to cover it up by putting on more cologne or perfume.  You should use scents sparingly or not at all.  Many people are allergic to various fragrances. These tips may seem funny but employers say these are common mistakes job applicants make.

Remember that First Impressions Count

Speak clearly, be sure to enunciate your words, and use proper English. Make eye contact. Use good posture. Have a firm handshake. Smile and be friendly. Listen carefully to what a prospective employer says. Do not interrupt them for any reason. Bring a conservative looking notebook, pad, and pen to take notes. Exude complete confidence. Turn off your cell phone completely. Putting your cell phone on vibrate is not sufficient, you risk the chance of you and the person you are speaking with being distracted. Complete job applications accurately and neatly using either a black or blue ink pen. Pencils and rainbow gel pens should NOT be used to fill out job applications. Remember, you are marketing yourself as a professional.

Job Fair Don’ts

Be Sure that you do not bring a child with you. Do not have a friend or family member join you who is just hanging out or inappropriately dressed. Do not chew gum. If at all possible, do not arrive close to the end of the job fair, as some vendors leave early.

Map out a Job Fair Strategy

Have you planned your introduction? Take out a sheet of paper and do a brief self assessment.  You should state your name and program of study. Tell something about the skills, certifications, or degrees you have that could help the employer. Do you have good grades? Do you have good class attendance? Do you have any transferable or unique skills? Have you served in any leadership positions? Have you won any awards? Have you participated in any team competitions? If you can, find out which companies are participating and research the companies online prior to the career fair. Review their current job postings and familiarize yourself with the contacts they have registered. Take the time to make a note card for each employer so you can easily go back and review their information a few times before you meet with them. Practice your interview skills with a friend or family member several times until you are confident you can answer the recruiter or potential employers questions with ease. If no one is available to help you, practice in front of a mirror.

Attending the Job Fair

Arrive a few minutes early at the Job Fair so you can get a feel for the surroundings. Register and collect any handouts or information they have laid out for attendees. If you were not able to print out a map ahead of time walk around and notice where everything is. Do not get in any lines yet. Find a quiet spot and sit down so you can map out your strategy. Go over the employer listing and determine which employers you would like to meet. Place numbers next to the employers in order of importance to you and your job search goals. Make sure you move directly from employer to employer based on the order you selected.

When you approach each employers designated area, wait patiently and quietly if they are talking with someone else. When it is your turn to speak with the employer start with a smile and firm handshake. Introduce yourself and give a quick summary of your skills and goals. Be enthusiastic and professional. Sell yourself but don’t overdo it. Show how your capabilities and strengths satisfy the employer’s job requirements. Ask the important questions you need answered to help you determine if this company is really one where you want to work. Do not ask questions that make you look like you are only interested in salary or benefits. At this stage, employers are screening job applicants based upon what they determine job applicants can offer them. When you are finished speaking with a company quickly jot don some notes about your meeting with them on the note cards you prepared about each company so you can refresh your memory later. Collect written materials from each employer. Companies typically have job descriptions or brochures available at their booth. Take materials from every company of interest to you. You will find information that can help prepare you for future contact with those companies. Do not forget to ask for business cards for follow-up.

Network with the other companies attending the job fair even if they are not advertising an opening for someone with your skills. Talk to them anyway and make a good impression, they may remember you and your resume when a job for someone with your educational background and skills opens up in the future. Network with other job seekers. They may have tips and advice that will help you. You may end up interviewing them or being interviewed by them in the future. Exchange business cards with the job seekers. Make a small note on each card to help you remember details about each person you meet.

After the Job Fair

Review your notes while everything is fresh in your mind. Make additional notes if you find you left details out. Be sure to follow up by sending thank you letters to each employer your visited with especially those you have an interest in working with. Take some time before you start writing the thank you notes like you did prior to creating your resume and cover letter. It is important to thank the employer for taking the time to talk with you. Be specific, but brief, and restate your interest in the company, the position and state how your skills and qualifications are good fit for this opening.

Be sure to proof your letters and all other correspondence with each company. It always helps to have someone else proof your letters. Timely well written thank you letters can be the thing that tips the scale in your favor.

Stay motivated by remembering that it takes effort and persistence to get a job especially in a down economy. Create a Job Search spreadsheet or checklist and market yourself aggressively every day. Tap all available job search resources, such as placement services, local professional associations, teachers and instructors, online resources, recruiters, temporary agencies, instructors and teachers, online resources, newspaper ads, state employment offices, volunteer at charitable organizations or even consider an internship with a company to get your foot in the door. Continue to network with family, friends, and any one working at a company where you would like to work. Stay positive and do not get discouraged! Review your progress daily to see if you are spending the right amount of time doing what is working the best for you. If you are getting more leads from online efforts you might want to devote a little more time to pursuing online resources and less time calling on local associations or vice versa. Stay focused on your goals and you will have the edge you need to find a great job.

Technorati Tags: Job Fair tips, job fairs, Job Search, resume, resumebear

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