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