Most people are familiar with job fairs. Anyone who has ever done any job hunting probably attended a job fair at one time or another. They can be a good way to see who is hiring.
Many people, however, go to job fairs unprepared and without any real plan of action. They may take a batch of resumes to pass out. But that is as far as they go, along with collecting brochures and handouts from the companies, So, what can you do to really get the most from a job fair? Here are a few tips.
1. Research
Before the fair begins, find out what companies will be there. Choose a few that you are really interested in, and then research them thoroughly. That way you are ready to sell yourself to the recruiters, and impress them with your knowledge of their firm.
2. Get Ready to Interview
You are only going to have a few minutes to impress the recruiter at the booth before he or she makes a decision about whether you are a serious candidate. So you need to be prepared. Many experts say that you should develop a one to two-minute “elevator speech,” a quick back-of-the-envelope talk selling yourself, telling the employer what you can do for him with your skills and knowledge.
Be ready to answer questions. One of the most common at career fairs is, “Why are you here today?” Also, you should take the opportunity to ask questions of the recruiter. Since you have already researched the companies, that should not be a problem. And, the most important question of all to ask is, “How do I get a follow-up interview?”
3. Have a plan of action
Determine which booths you will visit first, and which you will visit later. Usually, the best course of action is to go in the morning to those companies that are on the top of your list for places to work and then go to the others in the afternoon. Don’t be hesitant to go back to the companies you visited in the morning to thank them one more time for talking with you.
4. Bring resumes and a job portfolio
Most people remember to bring resumes. But you also need to match those resumes as best you can to the companies you find interesting. It is also a good idea to bring a career portfolio with you, something that contains references and samples of your best work.
If you are looking for work in the Inland Empire, connect with Arrow Staffing, a personal staffing firm that delivers superior service.