Prepping for career fairs

Over the years, I have used career fairs as part of my job search and have been successful with them. I've gotten interviews and a few job offers from the ones I've visited over the year. They can be valuable to one's job search if one prepares for them and is focused when at the fair. When determining whether a career fair is worthwhile, you need to ask yourself whether there are companies present that you would want to work for. If that is the case, then it is worth your time to get out there and meet people who work at these companies.

Here's some advice on how to prepare:

Before the career fair:
1. Do some research ahead of time on the companies at the career fair. I don't suggest you spend many days researching each company that has a booth at the career fair. I would suggest narrowing it to 10 companies and at least having an idea about what it is the company does. Second, if these companies are hiring for specific roles that you are interested in, write down a few of the key requirements for each position. Then write for each skill, a few words of how you fit that requirement from your previous experience/education.

Ultimately, you want to create a spreadsheet with the following columns:
Company Position Position Requirements Comments Website

Print this spreadsheet and take it to the career fair.

2. You also want to practice an elevator pitch - something that's 20 seconds long and tells a prospective employer what skills/experience you've to offer and what you're looking for in your next role.

On the day of the fair:
1. It goes without saying that one needs to dress the same way that they would for an interview when they attend a career fair. If you're meeting prospective employers, you must put your best foot forward. I've seen to my dismay, a few people dress far too casually at a career fair and thereby unconsciously make a poor representation of themselves.

2. Show up at the beginning of the career fair. It works better if you speak to companies at the beginning of the career fair rather than at the end. The reason is that these recruiters and hiring managers will be on their feet, talking to candidates all day. It takes a lot of their energy! By the end of the day, they are going to be tired and they're more likely to not give you as much time and attention as you would have gotten at the beginning of the fair. The first 1-2 hours of the fair is critical.

3. Prior to approaching one of your targeted companies at the career fair, refer to your handy spreadsheet. Quickly review the company, the position(s), your qualifications for the role, and approach the booth.

4. Step up to the booth, approach one of the company representatives, smile, shake their hand and state your name: |Hi, my name is..." Usually, they'll respond with their own name. Then, you state your deliver your elevator pitch in less than 20 seconds. Be sure to shake their hand, smile and state your name. Maintain reasonable eye contact with them as you discuss things. Candidates who display enthusiasm and energy will be more successful than those who don't. By doing this, you have already differentiated yourself from 80% of the attendees at the career fair. I've been told that I come across as quite confident and engaging at career fairs.

5. Tell the company which position you are interested in. If you're not sure whether they're hiring for that particular role, tell them that's what you are looking for, anyways. You never know when that position might become available at the company. While discussing your qualifications, be sure to give them a copy of your resume. Your resume provides a good framework for your conversation with recruiter. It depends on the company with respect to what sort of questions they will ask you. Usually, they ask 1 or 2 questions to get a better idea of which role you'd be interested in/suited for. Be sure to ask them a couple of questions about the company, culture or the role. This will demonstrate your interest in them. It doesn't hurt to ask whoever you're speaking to what their experience has been with the company. People always like to talk about themselves :)

6. At the end of your conversation, ask them for a business card. If they do end up giving your a card, that's usually a good sign as there's some indication of interest. If they don't give one out, that's fine as well. By presenting yourself in person, you have put a face along with the resume and that will increase your chance of being selected for an interview.

7. Once you've finished speaking to all of your targeted companies, you can walk around and visit a few other companies of interest and have conversations with them as well.


After the career fair:
1. Once you return home, you can make a few notes on the companies that you met at the career fair.

2. Start sending out e-mails (in a cover letter format) along with an attached soft copy of your resume to each one of the firms that you are interested in. Be sure that the e-mails are specific to the person you spoke to, the job of interest and the firm and make a reference to the fact that you met them at the career fair. If these e-mails are sent within 1 day of meeting the person at the fair, that is more effective.

This approach should result in at least a few interviews, if not a job offer. If it seems like a lot of work for a career fair, trust me, it is worthwhile and could lead to you receiving an offer.