Follow These 8 Steps to Secure a Job at Your Next Career Fair
Career fairs (also known as job fairs or hiring expos) are a great place to go to get in front of hiring managers. You can network with different employers face-to-face and leave a good impression.
With that being said, these employers are meeting many professionals at once. So, it’s important to stand out and make sure that they remember you. We’ll outline what you need to do before, during, and after the event to secure a job at your next hiring fair.
What is a Job Fair
A career fair is:
“An event that invites job seekers to meet employers with job openings.”
Essentially, it is an event where job seekers and employers can come together to meet. An organization will likely set up a booth and welcome professionals to speak with them.
No matter the type of job you’re looking for, a hiring fair will likely accommodate it. Career fairs can be organized through universities, associations, or a company hiring for themselves. They come in all sizes for many types of roles. You could find job expos for construction jobs, office roles, and more. For example, if you attend a college career fair, you’ll likely see jobs for new graduates.
How to Prepare for a Job Fair
Before the Event
1. Find out who’ll be there
Before you go, you can usually look up the event online to see which companies will be there. Look to see if each company is hiring for any roles you’re interested in. Then, note down each company you want to visit. This will ensure that you won’t miss any important opportunities. You can also research the company, their values, and recent events to bring up while you talk to the hiring manager.
2. Prepare a resume (or AmbiFile!)
Having a resume or something that outlines your experience and skills on hand is always good. Depending on your ideal job, you might also want to bring a portfolio.
With AmbiMi, you can skip the tedious process of creating a resume. Your AmbiFile tracks each job and skill you complete in a handy profile, to show to future employers.
3. Get ready for an on-the-spot interview
Although you won’t participate in a full interview, hiring managers may ask a few general questions to get to know you. Research some typical questions and prepare answers to get ready. You should also prepare a 30-second elevator pitch to answer the question, “can you tell me about yourself?” Your pitch should highlight your relevant skills, education, experience, and share why you’re the right person for the job.
4. Dress for the job you want
There’s no one-size-fits-all for hiring fair dress codes, but a good guideline is to dress for the job you want. For example, dress business casual if you’re looking for an office job. Or, if you’re looking for a general labour job, you can dress smart casual with no rips or tears. Career fairs are more relaxed than interviews, so you don’t have to dress up too much. If you’re in doubt, we recommend dressing up instead of down (but don’t show up in a gown or tuxedo, although you will check that box for memorability)!
During the Event
5. Don’t be shy
It can be intimidating to walk up to someone and start talking about yourself. Remember, these hiring managers are there to talk to you! Be confident when you approach them. Instead of immediately talking about yourself, ask about the company or jobs they have available. Then, you can start a natural conversation.
6. Be memorable
Every company meets many professionals during career fairs, so you want to stand out. Some things you can try are:
Ask for and use their name in conversation
Relate to them a particular hobby or interest
Showing genuine interest by asking good questions about the job
Offer to come by their office for a longer conversation in-person
Thank them for their time
You want to respect their time. Hiring expos are busy days. So, keep your introduction brief and to the point, if other people are waiting.
7. Ask for a business card
Before you leave, make sure to ask for a business card! You’ll meet a lot of people and won’t remember everyone’s name. Plus, you’ll get their email address to follow up after the event. Don’t take offence if they won’t give you one. Instead, ask to connect on LinkedIn or at the very least, where you can stay up to date on new roles at their company.
After the Event
8. Follow up
If the hiring manager asks you to do anything, like apply for a job, do that as soon as you can. Then, send a follow-up email within a couple of days. Your email should include a:
Thank you for taking the time to meet me
Mention that you’ve done what they asked
Drop into the conversation something you spoke about
Request to meet up again
For example, your email might look like this:
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for taking the time to meet with me today at the university job fair. I have to try out that Thai restaurant you told me about!
I applied for the Administrative Assistant job we talked about. The job posting looks like it’ll be a great fit, and I’m excited to move forward. I’d love to meet in person again, and I am free this week to come to your office.
Let me know when works best for you!
Samantha Jones
Now you’re all set for your next job fair!
AmbiMi will be attending lots of job fairs this year. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on the career fairs and events we’ll be a part of!