Are you unemployed and unsure of what your next move should be? Improve your job searching options and attend local career fairs. These job fairs are expos where recruiters, employers or schools provide seminars to potential candidates.
If you do attend a career fair, create your own blog and tell others about your experience so they can get an insider’s perspective of what these seminars are all about. You may be helping others with their career decisions.
So how do you get the most out of job fairs? Take a look at these tips below because they might help you get the job you really want.
Be Neat and Dress to Impress
It’s time to take out your best interview attire. Whenever you go for job seminars, you should always dress neatly because if you’re untidy, the employers won’t take you seriously. It’s also advised you carry a portfolio with you instead of backpacks or handbags for a more professional approach.
Ensure you have a neatly pressed suit that’s a neutral color with smart shoes and minimal accessories. It’s also best to wear comfortable shoes and breathable clothes because you’ll most likely be standing all day inside hot tents or rooms.
Always Prepare yourself Before an Expo
Do your research before attending a job expo. Take the time to research all the employers and companies that will be attending so you can prepare a list of questions you’d like to ask them. This might impress recruiters because it shows initiative.
Researching the employers before a seminar is also an excellent way to filter out the jobs that might not be for you. Ensure you look up on company reviews and employee satisfaction if you can, so know you’re entering a workplace that’s ethical and aligns with your moral code.
Practice Your Pitch
You may have to make an excellent impression quickly because there are many people at the expo the employers must interview. So it’s advised that you practice your pitch before the seminar, so it’s fast and to the point.
Make sure you mention all your skills and experience concisely, so it’s less than a minute long. Practicing your pitch will boost your confidence because you’ll be prepared with all the necessary details for an employer to make a hiring decision.
Make Copies of Your Resume
It’s important to take many copies of your resume with you so you can hand them out to all the employers you’re interested in. Your resume should have a professional layout with streamlined fonts and black print. Include personal business cards so recruiters can have access to all your contact details.
Prioritize the Employers you’re Most Interested In
If you have more time when you arrive at the seminar, sit in on the employers you’re less interested in first. This will give you an idea of how interactions are conducted between the employers and the crowd.
Afterward, you can prioritize the employers you’re the most excited to see, and you’ll have more confidence interacting with them.
There will be many people wanting to talk to the same employers you’re interested in. So allocate adequate time between each company and expect to wait longer between all of the recruiters so you can schedule your day appropriately.
Take Notes and Listen Attentively
It may be difficult for you to keep track of all the recruiters talking at the seminar. The best way to stay ahead is to listen attentively and take relevant notes. Your notes will assist you if you’ve thought of another question you’d like to ask the recruiters during your interviews.
Collect Business Cards
When you’ve found all the companies and employers, you’re interested in taking their business cards, so you have a means of contacting them when you need to.
Final Thoughts
Be polite and courteous and thank the recruiters for their time & consideration after speaking with them. This will show that you’re a kind person that has ample respect for employers.
Another idea is to send courtesy emails to all the employers you met at the fair. It’s an excellent way to show your interest in the company and to remind them that you are a strong candidate for the position.
