Like I always preach... every little bit helps, right?
While I wouldn't suggest that attending job fairs are useless, I will request that you not to place so much weight into them that you disregard all of the other things you should be doing to help yourself get that next job.
Job fairs can be useful but you have to ask yourselves, what is my expected takeaway from attending? In other words, what do you hope to walk away with from a job fair?
Most would agree that the answer is... a follow up interview. Some would even go so far as to hope to land a job at the event. I've talked to a number of job seekers as of late and a great number of them were preparing to attend an upcoming job fair. Their voices seemed to perk up when mentioning this to me, as if this was going to be the day they were going to get their next job. Wow! If it were really that easy. A reserved sigh is my reply, for I do not want to take away amount of confidence and positive thoughts from someone seeking a new job. Besides, I don't think that attending job fairs are entirely bad either - to a point.
I want to cover two parts in this blog entry. The first part will cater to those that believe in job fairs. I want to make sure that you are actually prepared if you are going to attend one with the expectations of landing a follow up interview (the takeaway). Going unprepared is going to be a total waste of your time.
I will then follow up with reasons why I weigh in heavy when asking not to place too much weight into them. I want to shed some of the misleading information out there about what to expect from a job fair. All of this with the disclaimer that I do realize that you can actually attend a job fair and end up with a job. My point is that you can also do lots of other important things that just may lead to a higher probability of landing a job.
OK... so you are getting ready to attend the upcoming job fair with high hopes of succeeding your objective. What should you do beforehand? Prepare. Just like anything else... prepare! You will hopefully be micro-interviewing with potential hiring managers and will be doing so while competing with just about everyone else attending. Your time will be limited. The listener is more than likely already tired and has listened to a number of other potential candidates and you will need to do your best to quickly differentiate yourself from others.
Here are some tips:You would be wise to review several of my previous posts regarding many of these points and looking online for other available tips.- Before attending, review the list of companies and prioritize which ones you want to meet with first.
- Get there early.
- Smile and portray a positive attitude at all times.
- Be tidy - dressed professionally, hair groomed, etc.
- Know as much information about the company you are micro-interviewing with/for.
- Have your traditional questions & answers prepared like your strengths, weaknesses and short and long-term goals ready.
- Take notes.
- Speak clearly and to the point. Stay away from fluff-talking.
- Show and exude professional confidence.
- Have your updated resume ready.
- Ask for a business card and follow up. If handed a business card with an email address, it is absolutely OK to follow up via email.
Now for the reasons I do not want you to place too much weight or expect too much from attending job fairs. Typically any openings are not "new" openings - contrary to what many believe. The job openings at these job fairs more than likely are on many of the large online job boards. They have been posted company-wide and are visible on many of the well-established social networks. All the more reason why you have to be a tip-top candidate. Much of the competition there will know this and will be prepared and ready. You have direct competition well before and well after you speak to a hiring manager/company hiring representative.
Also, job fairs can be an all day event. This is quality time spent that you can accomplish several other initiatives. Use what is right at your fingertips and I mention so much of these - for example,
LinkedIn.com. If you are wise enough to be a member of
LinkedIn.com have you explored the groups and participated in groups and the like? These are great inroads to hiring managers. Use them. You can do so at any time of the day, and in your pajamas.
And then there is the killer - complacency. There is the possibility that you micro-interviewed very well (in your own mind), and the interviewer sent the right signals (these could be false signals), and because you want it so badly, you believe you have a great shot at getting it (the job). Don't ever do this. It is not official until your first day of work.
So, either way, I wouldn't exactly write off attending a job fair or two, but don't leave it on your priority list as the best inroad to your next job. There are so many other new ways to connect with a job and I
don't want you to disregard those.
Don't forget to visit
JTL Services, Inc.'s website for more tips and recruiter information. And of course, don't forget, if you haven't already, to get your free, no strings attached account setup at
MyJobCast.com (the free coupon code can be found on the home page of
JTL Service's website).
As always - best of luck! Stay positive. Good things come to those that are patient and persistent.
