We spoke with some employment and career experts to get their opinions about job fairs.
I think many job seekers miss the value of job fairs. This group expects the wrong outcome, so often use the wrong strategy.
Many job seekers come armed with dozens of resumes and try to get them in the hands of recruiters who they hope will then review their resumes and invite them for an interview. They think about it like a live resume submission event. It's not.
Instead job seekers need to look at job fairs as a big networking event. This is a place to meet people behind these companies and build relationships. It's important to speak with a recruiter and ask questions, so that they feel comfortable with you. And then the absolute critical next step is to ask for their business card.
Now the prize from the job fair is that job seekers have inside contacts at a company where they are interested in working, which is huge. And for people whose neighbors don't all work in those companies, meeting these company insiders is a really unique opportunity only available from job fairs.
From there the job seeker can do an informational interview and ask for introductions to colleagues to do more informational interviews, until like magic, these conversations lead to interviews and job offers.
Alan Carniol
Founder, Interview Success Formula
http://www.InterviewSuccessFormula.com
Career fairs can be a good resource while looking for a job, but they can also be overwhelming and occasionally frustrating. The trick, experts say, is to attend fairs with the right expectations and plenty of prep work.
"To maximize a career fair, establish some key objectives," says John Thompson, executive director of career services at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. "Typically, getting a job with a participating company as the result of a career fair encounter is a long-shot, but getting contact names and learning more about the company is always doable."
"Going into the event with a strategy will ensure you talk with and meet those organizations you are most interested in," says Andrea St. James, career counselor at Western New England University in Springfield, MA. "Without a strategy, you may miss a company or opportunity to gain valuable contacts."
Most fairs will provide a list of attending companies. "Know which companies you want to approach and their open positions," St. James says. "Make a list with the company name, overview, and your questions for the company. By doing this, you do not have to remember everything and will not confuse companies. Bring this information the day of the career fair."
"Research helps determine 'fit' and to demonstrate interest and knowledge to the recruiter," explains Karen Evans, director of experiential learning and career development at Albright College in Reading, Pa. "Even though many recruiters will tell you to 'go online and apply through the website,' they are watching for special candidates."
How to demonstrate you are that special candidate?
"Dress to impress," says Evans. "Recruiters really do notice when students are inappropriately dressed. Dress conservatively, yet memorably. Your clothing should not detract from your conversation." If you only own one suit, wear it. Avoid using cologne, chewing gum and - if you're a smoker - lighting up on the way to the fair.
A firm handshake is still important, says John Mellon, etiquette expert http://www.drjohnetiquette.com/ and associate professor of business at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa. "Always make eye contact," he says. Then place your hand 'web to web' into the other person's hand, connecting that space between the thumb and index finger, before closing your grip. "Shake firmly - not painfully, just effectively - for the count of "one, two" and make sure your hands are dry, not clammy."
Have an introduction ready, says St. James. "Practice it in the mirror and to others," she adds. You know from your research what traits and or skills the organizations find important. "Make sure you briefly highlight those qualities in your introduction. Have a shortened version if time is limited and an extended version if time is on your side. Be ready to start a conversation with the recruiter yourself. Do not wait until the recruiter speaks."
Nervous? Practice on a company that doesn't matter much to you.
"Identify one or two organizations that may not be a great interest to you," advises Ryan Brechbill, director of the Center for Career Planning at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. "Talk with the representatives there to get warmed up."
Then take a moment to collect yourself before approaching your dream company.
"Pick one company from your list, review the sheet you prepared prior to the event, and confidently walk right up to the table," says St. James. "Make sure you use proper etiquette when approaching the table. Do not interrupt a conversation, patiently wait your turn and ultimately that will work to your favor."
Remember, like a job interview, you should be evaluating the company as much as they're evaluating you. "Ask serious questions such as, 'How do you select new products?' or 'How does your company encourage creativity?'" says Thompson. "Pay attention to the way the information is conveyed by watching body language and listening to the attitudes of the reps. You need to find out if the company employees really like their companies. If the recruiting people send negative messages, then you may not want to work there."
Of course, have resumes, personalized cover letters and business cards handy. "Keep your business cards in your left jacket pocket," says Mellon. "When you are shaking hands your left hand is free to take out your card. Put all the received business cards in your right pocket so that you do not mix up cards."
"Upon closing the conversation with the recruiter, collect the company information and most importantly, the business card of the recruiter," says St. James.
Prepare to follow-up after the fair, says Brechbill. "Reflect on your conversations and jot down notes from those," he says. "What next steps did the representative share with you? If you were directed to apply online, do so quickly. Follow up with a hand written note a couple of days after the fair."
"Even if you submit a resume and cover letter that day, follow up with the recruiter," agrees St. James. "State that it was nice to talk with them at the career fair and that you have attached your resume and cover letter again."
John Thompson
Texas Christian University
Andrea St. James
Western New England University
Karen Evans
Albright College
John Mellon
Misericordia University
Ryan Brechbill
Otterbein University
"I still believe that job fairs are GREAT... It gives the recruiter a face, personality and appearance to attach to the candidates of interest, the chance to place notes or comments on their resume and the ability to recommend / schedule interviews. Job fairs also give the people more choices and opportunities when searching for employment. They can ask the recruiter questions about the company that may not be listed on a web site. Both parties benefit from the fair. Employers see the candidates directly and can evaluate their skill set and personalities while job seekers can ask company representatives questions, get company information and get a feeling of whether this is the company for them. The main difference between job fairs and Internet listings is the personal interaction and exchange of emotion, when both feel this is the right job -candidate."
Lawrence Payne
Employment Specialist
Polishing the Professional
The Image Cartel/ Polishing The Professional/Mass Appeal
People with disabilities, as a group, can particularly benefit from online career fairs. In an overall sense, online job fairs give qualified workers with disabilities the opportunity to focus on their qualifications rather than on a disability. Other examples of benefits:
**it helps a job seeker with a physical disability - who can't always get to an on-site interview that easily.
**the deaf and hard-of-hearing can nail an interview through real-time chat and messaging, allowing them to clear the audio hurdles of a traditional telephone interview.
Barbara Otto
CEO of Health And Disability Advocates
Think Beyond the Label
I am a veteran in the job coaching industry and for years have encouraged my clients to stay away from job fairs! Simply put, they are a waste of everyone's time and any success that job seekers have found through job fairs could have easily been gained in more effective ways.
First of all, job fairs are nothing more than cattle calls. There is nothing exclusive about them, which means you (as a candidate) are putting yourself in a competitive situation where no vetting of candidates has taken place. The employers who attend these job fairs know this - no employer really expects to find their next 'star'.
So let's take a moment to talk about the employers. First of all, the main thing that employers hope to get out hosting a booth at a job fair is simply a bit of good PR. They're able to say that they are hiring and they support their community. That's about it. Next, they are only going to send people from the company who won't be missed for the day! Employers send their low-rung employees to go and chat with low-rung candidates. That sums up every job fair that I have witnessed in the past 15 years.
Instead of wasting your day at a job fair standing behind someone wearing flip-flops to talk with a 6-month employee who isn't anywhere qualified to make a hiring decision, I encourage serious and qualified candidates to network with the right people, both online and in-person. Have a sharp, accomplishment-based resume ready as well as a smart and personalized LinkedIn profile. Get involved in job search and employment support groups, and join an accountability group. Conduct informational interviews and keep asking for referrals to more of the right people. Stay in touch with former colleagues and managers, and continuously update your network about your job search progress. Follow companies that interest you on their social media pages, and chime in (wisely) to their conversations. These are just some of the ways that one can conduct a smart and effective job search.
I hope these insights are useful for your article. If I can provide any more information or clarification, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Lauren Milligan
http://www.ResuMAYDAY.com
