Attending a career fair can be highly beneficial to anyone looking for a job. Whether it be a college job fair as you near graduation, a local fair that hosts many career interests, or a specialized niche job fair targeted to a specific profession, the job seeker can establish important contact with potential future employers and have a chance to find out what jobs are available. To increase your chances for getting a call back for an interview keep these ideas in mind:
Come prepared. Bring plenty of copies of your resume. A generic cover letter and list of references are a good idea as well. Some companies may not accept hard copy resumes but instead will direct you to their website to apply. Still, it never hurts to ask.
Leave the kids at home. Attending a job fair with kids in tow or a significant other on your arm looks unprofessional and doesn’t make for a good first impression. You are better off attending alone so you can fully focus your attention on talking with companies and getting as many leads as possible.
Overdress. Even if the job fair is advertised as business casual it’s still smart to overdress. It shows you are serious and will help you stand out from all the button down shirts and khaki wearers out there. Remember the rule: Dress for the job you want not for the job you have (or don’t have).
For a more unique job fair experience, go virtual. Great Insurance Jobs is one of the first companies to host a job fair event entirely online. In this environment there’s less pressure and you conveniently apply to jobs on your own time. Check the site for upcoming online career fairs.