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Things to Prepare for a Job Fair

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Virtual career fairs involve applicants using the Internet to peruse job openings.

Hiring companies and job seekers get maximum and immediate exposure to each other at employment fairs, and there are things you can prepare to optimize your experience. Job fairs might feature dozens of hiring companies, with hundreds, and even thousands, of anxious applicants in attendance. Most people use professional conduct at job fairs, such as forming and waiting patiently in long lines. However, good personal manners are taken for granted, and make up only one aspect of the job search. You can make sure your job search efforts are not in vain after attending career fairs if you do some basic planning in advance.

  1. Research

    • Hiring managers expect applicants to have some knowledge and questions about the company and its job openings. Civic centers, schools and other arranging organizations usually list the attending employers. Print out this list and check mark which companies you want to apply with. In some cases, you can print out a map of the showroom floor. Also, visit the companies' public websites to read job descriptions in advance.

    Documentation

    • Hiring managers customarily ask to skim over resume and business cards, sometimes before giving you an official company job application. Make several versions of your resume and business cards, if there will be a large, diverse group of employers presenting at the fair. For example, if you have a degree in English you might create two different resumes, to apply for a teaching position in the local school system and to write for a local news publication. Bring a list of your prior employment, including the street address and phone number of the business, so that you can complete the requested information on the application.

    Tools and Supplies

    • The hiring company usually has the luxury of a table and chair at the job fair, where you may not. Nonetheless, you can make the experience comfortable and easygoing by bringing a briefcase or professional messenger bag to hold the multitude of informational job pamphlets and brochures that you collect from companies. Have a clipboard and pens ready to fill out flimsy paper applications. Also, securely pack a small bottle of water and maybe a mildly scented, uncolored mint or candy to satiate your hunger pangs while standing in potentially long lines at the fair.

    Interview Skills

    • Hiring managers make use of several interviewing techniques, but at job fairs, you might commonly experience the "informational" interview. In this face-to-face setting with company personnel you are asking and responding to questions. Role play with someone else serving as the interviewer, asking sample questions about your knowledge, skills and experience. Be prepared to speak with multiple people at once, sometimes called a group interview. Companies don't usually make important hiring decisions on the spot, though it can happen. You and the company are mainly prospecting and exploring.

    Physical Conditioning and Attire

    • Moving about crowded and busy job fairs is almost similar to attending an amusement park or county fair. However, you have to treat job fairs with all seriousness. Sleep well and get up early so you are not rushing out the door. You also want to meet companies while they are fresh, so try to arrive at the front of the line. Eat an adequate breakfast or lunch, because you can stand in line for one company from several minutes to hours. Both men and women should dress in professional business attire to stand out in a competitive job market. Many people omit a jacket and wear a nice dress shirt and pants or dress. Regarding shoes, place comfort over fashion. Keep facial hair and hair styles neat and clean.

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  • Photo Credit Spencer Platt/Getty Images News/Getty Images

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