How to Organize a Local Job Fair

At a job fair, job seekers can talk directly with potential employers.

Society is filled with job seekers. No matter what city you live in, there are always people who are looking for work or looking to change careers. One way to help people find employment is by organizing a job fair. A job fair is an event that brings together job seekers and companies looking to hire. Instead of applying to one job at a time over the Internet or through the mail, job seekers can talk with many potential employers in the same day, sharing details about their skills and experience and leaving behind copies of their resumes.

Instructions

1. Find a team to help you organize the fair. You'll most likely need at least four main planners to organize the fair. Each planner can put together their own team to help complete their individual tasks.

2. Choose a date for the job fair. Together with your main planners, decide what would be the best day and how long the job fair should be. Allow about two months of planning time and come up with one or two alternate dates in case the first date doesn't work.

3. Give each of the main planners a task to complete. The main tasks of organizing the job fair include finding a venue, getting sponsors, inviting companies to attend and advertising.

4. Find a venue to hold the job fair during the first few weeks of planning. This can be a school gymnasium, auditorium or a community center. Get an agreement in writing that the job fair will be held at the location.

5. Get sponsors for the job fair during the first month of planning. Approach local companies, organizations, retail stores and institutions, such as theaters, schools, stadiums and government offices, about sponsoring the event. Explain the purpose of the event and accept sponsors who offer funding, supplies or food for the job fair.

6. Contact local companies and invite them to attend the job fair during the first month of planning. Approach companies directly, inviting them to set up a table or booth at the fair. Most companies will be glad to do so because it offers them free publicity.

7. Advertise the job fair to job seekers in your community during the second month of planning. Do simple things like hanging fliers at libraries, on campuses and throughout the city. Also, take out ads in the local paper and contact the local media, such as television and radio stations. Ask that they run a story in the weeks preceding the fair and that they cover the job fair itself.

References

• Good Works First.org: Alternative Careers Fair