| Whether you are graduating from college, | | | | the job fair, take a moment to figure out |
| returning to the work force, or contemplating | | | | where your target employers are located and |
| a career change, career fairs have lots to | | | | have a plan for organizing your time. Too |
| offer a job seeker. Following a few basic | | | | much aimless wandering will decrease your |
| guidelines can help you make the most of the | | | | energy and make it difficult to stay focused. |
| experience and maximize some great networking | | | | |
| opportunities. | | | | Network, network and network. Take advantage |
| | | | of opportunities to network not just with |
| Dress as you would for a job interview. The | | | | potential employers, but with other job |
| interactions you have with prospective | | | | seekers. They may be able to offer valuable |
| employers at a job fair are likely to be | | | | information that could save you time, or open |
| brief, and first impressions count. Put your | | | | you up to possibilities you hadn't already |
| best foot forward with proper attire, a | | | | considered. |
| smile, and a confident hand shake. Also | | | | |
| remember your own promotional materials, and | | | | Follow up. Once you have met with an |
| a professional looking case to hold them as | | | | employer, get their contact information, and |
| well as the information you collect. | | | | take some notes to remind you of points you |
| | | | want to follow up on, additional questions |
| Come prepared. Bring copies of your | | | | you may have thought of, and any specific |
| up-to-date resume, and be ready to talk about | | | | recommended action. Follow up with a thank |
| yourself. What kind of positions are you | | | | you note or email to express your |
| interested in? How does your previous | | | | appreciation and solidify your good |
| experience relate? Decide ahead of time what | | | | impression. |
| skills you are going to promote, and have the | | | | |
| evidence to back them up. | | | | Remember, even if you do not receive a job |
| | | | offer immediately following your attendance |
| Do your homework. Spend some time browsing | | | | at a job fair, networking is a huge and very |
| company websites ahead of time to get a | | | | valuable aspect of any job hunt. Take |
| better feel for their organizations, what | | | | business cards to exchange with others in the |
| they have to offer, and what they are looking | | | | interest of helping one another and |
| for. Having a good basic understanding of a | | | | broadening your contact list. A job fair is |
| company will enable you to get right to the | | | | also good for keeping you in practice, |
| point when you have the opportunity to ask | | | | refreshing your interview skills, staying on |
| questions in person. This will allow you to | | | | top of job trends, and more. Make the most of |
| ask more useful questions, as well as make a | | | | your opportunity to meet others, exchange |
| better impression than a person who has not | | | | information, give a positive impression of |
| prepared ahead. | | | | yourself, and remain open to future |
| | | | possibilities. |
| Figure out your target. When you arrive at | | | | |