Job Fairs – Waste of Time? Or Your Ticket to Your Next Job?

In the age of streamlined technology and online application processes, email, video conferencing and MMS conversations, it can be difficult to re-acclimate to the more personal, face-to-face connections that landed jobs in years past. Job fairs may seem antiquated, but it is wise to reject the notion that they are a waste of time. If you work a job fair in all the right ways, you can come away with several additions to your network at worst, and a job interview (or two!) at best.

Follow these tips to make the most of your time at a job fair:

1. Research the companies that will be represented prior to attended a job fair. Knowing which companies you may want to work for will help you to know what your goals for that particular job fair should be. Knowing about the company’s goals and achievements can be very helpful when talking to the company’s recruiting reps. Additionally, knowing what job (or type of job) you are seeking will help you to formulate your “elevator speech.”
2. Rehearse your elevator speech. An “elevator speech” is a short explanation of who you are and what your intentions are that lasts about the length of a short elevator ride. Be sure to practice making eye contact as well. Make this interaction personal and memorable to maximize your efficacy.
3. Follow up. Take a notepad with you to write down the names of the reps you speak with. Follow up with them, and thank them for their time. Stay on their radar in this way, because you can bet that at least half the other individuals who stop by and speak with them won’t bother. An email will work for this point of contact, but a mailed note would set you apart even more, and speaks to the amount of time and pride you put into your business relationships, thus making you a more desirable candidate.

Remember: but a single lead or introduction stands between you and your dream job. Since you cannot predict where or how you will find this lead, it’s up to you to put yourself in as many favorable situations as possible. A job fair is one of those favorable situations. Contact us today to discuss how to design even more opportunity-rich employment experiences for yourself, or to learn about great job opportunities in Michiana we have available!