Job Fair Strategies
FAQs
- What is a job fair? Why should I attend? Job fairs provide opportunities for you to meet with a variety of employers for several reasons:
- To gather information about their companies
- To practice your interview skills: both "selling yourself" and asking questions
- To find out what jobs are available and what employers are looking for
- While many employers will be recruiting for openings that currently exist, some employers will attend to share information about their organizations and to collect resumes for possible future openings.
- How do I find a job fair? Job fairs are advertised in local newspapers, at colleges and universities, through professional associations, on Internet sites and at public libraries. For upcoming job fairs at Loyola and in the Chicago area, see Career Events.
- How do I make the most of a job fair?
- Have a resume that you're proud of. Some fairs invite you to submit resumes in advance so that attending companies might have a chance to prescreen. This is to your advantage. You'll also want to bring numerous copies with you to distribute at the fair.
- Obtain a list of employers and identify which companies you would like to meet. This is your opportunity to prescreen. Research the companies and have a list of questions to ask the recruiter.
- Prepare a 2-minute speech describing who you are, what kind of work you are looking for and your qualifications. Your goal is to spark their interest in you for a more formal interview.
- Dress for success. It may be a cliche but it's imperative for making a positive first impression. Wear comfortable, professional shoes.
- What should I do on the day of the event?
- Begin with a positive attitude. Expect long lines and hassles. Always be kind and considerate, since anyone you meet might be a recruiter you'll see later that day.
- Survey the room when you arrive. Make a list of the employers you want to meet. Try to meet with your top choices first because some recruiters leave early.
- Go to it! If someone is already at the company table when you approach, respect the other candidate's privacy and wait for him/her to finish. If there is a line, try to remain positive about the experience and wait patiently for your turn.
- Get the recruiter's business card at the close of your meeting. Ask how and when you should follow up.
- Take a few moments after each interview to jot some notes to yourself about the position, company and recruiter. These notes will be important later when you write your follow-up letters after the job fair.
- Reflect on how the interview went, what you learned, what you wish you would have said, mentally rehearse it for the next interview and move to the next employer on your list.
- Collect any literature from companies that interest you, even if you were unable to interview them. The literature will allow you to follow up with them more effectively. If a company is a no-show, contact the fair organizers for the name and address to write to request information or to send your resume.
- What should I do after the job fair?
- Relax, recover and massage your smile muscles.
- Organize all the material you received.
- Write thank-you letters. This is your chance to once again highlight your strengths, but this time you know what they're looking for. Your letter should demonstrate how you would be a "good fit."
- Make follow-up phone calls. Depending on what the recruiter said regarding how and when to follow-up, call the recruiter to ask about the status of the search and if you might schedule an on-site interview.
