How To Make The Best Out Of Job Fairs
Job fairs are a great opportunity to find a job that you love. Be prepared with questions, and have a back-up plan in case the first one doesn't pan out. If you're not ready for success, then there is no point in doing this fair. It is important to remember that you don't need to be the only one who has an offer on the table when going for interviews at these fairs or any other times.
Job fairs are a place to get you out there, so people will know you exist, and your name can become popular and clients can find you. They are also a good place to look for jobs that aren't posted anywhere else.
Not only can they be time consuming but they are tiring, so it's important to have a plan of action if you're going to go. Before the event, always research the companies that will be there.
Most job seekers who go to job fairs have already looked at all the available jobs on job websites and have knocked on doors to try and set up interviews with companies directly. The job fairs are the last ditch effort to find a job. The sad thing is, they don't realize that they're literally throwing their last chance out the door.
Employers pay a lot of money to attend these events, so if you're going as an employee, chances are you'll be interviewed during the event itself. You don't want to look like you haven't done your research when it comes time for your one-on-one interview; instead, you'll want to make sure that you've done your research and have asked plenty of questions about the company beforehand.
Don't think of these interviews as just another way to make some more money. Instead, you'll want to think of it as a way to find a company that you can grow with for years to come. You'll want to impress them so much that they will never let you go.
If the company feels like it is a good fit then they may offer on the spot; but if they don't feel like it's going to work out, then they will send you on your way with their business cards and a thank-you for stopping by.
If you're looking at going through recruiters, be sure to ask them what they do first before accepting. Sometimes they are just there as representatives of the companies and have no power over the hiring process. In this case, they can't help you; if they can, then they should be able to send a few strong candidates over, or at the very least their contact information.
If you're looking to go on your own and meet the employers in person, when you do arrive at the fairs, knowing who you want to talk to is important; make sure that you know every person's name of the companies that you want to talk to as well as their phone numbers.
This way if someone calls in sick or something happens during the event, you are not left without any way of getting in touch with anyone.
Always bring a list of questions with you for each company that will be there. It will help you to remember what they said as well as whether or not you're interested in working there. Ask important questions like "how much pay can I expect?", "what is the ideal age for people to start working here?", and anything else that you can think of. Write everything down so that you don't forget, and even if someone doesn't have time for an interview, have a few questions ready!
It is important to know the company's culture before looking at their job postings. If you are applying and get a response, make sure that it includes a culture question so that it clearly explains the company's values; this way you can figure out if it would be a good fit for you.
If you are going through a recruiter, they should be able to connect you with a person inside the company you are applying to who will be able to give you this information.
If they cannot get you the information, then ask them why not. If they're not willing to help you then it may be time to look elsewhere.
You don't want a job that doesn't fit with your values and neither do they, so make sure that it's right for both parties. The whole reason people attend job fairs is because they don't have anything else set up so if the recruiter can match them with a perfect job it should be worth their time for them.
If you are going on your own, then ask what the company says about itself. Try and get a feel for their culture to see if it is a good fit for you; this way you can do so without wasting any time applying. You will never know until you try!
Don't forget that people go to job fairs because they are desperate. You will have plenty of competition, so make sure that you follow these steps so that you can be sure to come out ahead of the game.
Always have your resume with you and ready to hand out. Make sure that it is updated and up to date. It's also a good idea to have a few copies on you in case they take it and lose it. Never underestimate the power of handing out your resume at the fairs; because if you're not looking for a job, maybe someone else there is.
Be sure to look the part as well. It doesn't matter what kind of work you're doing, you want to look serious about finding a job, because if you don't, then no one will take you seriously either. Be your own brand ambassador.
Bring business cards with you, that way if you're looking for a job and run into some people in the industry, you can hand out your business cards so that they and any other contacts know where to find you in the future.
While we might not love them all, job fairs do actually get us exposure to employers and recruiters; but again this is only if we are prepared. This is why it's important to have some kind of plan of action before attending any event; those who don't have one are wasting their time, even if they're already successful at finding work.
Try out finding a job in a big city. You can't just assume that you will randomly find a job in a city or town without any experience. Job fairs are often held in big cities and even small towns. You can start your search out there and then widen it to other regions if you're able to get a good position there.
Use LinkedIn to find potential employers. LinkedIn is one of the best ways to search for companies, using their search engine at the top of the site and keywords such as "Job Fair" will bring up a lot of companies for you to contact about their opportunities for hiring.
Conclusion
So, the real question is this; are job fairs worth your time and money? Yes, they are. We have already found that networking is the best way to find work, and job fairs give us a chance to network as well as an opportunity to do something fun with our friends. Remember that it's not all about finding your next office job; you can always be looking for freelance jobs.