A significant a part of job search is getting your self on the market. What higher means than to attend a profession truthful? First, there are normally open jobs at corporations that attend profession festivals. Second, you’ll have the possibility to satisfy employers and others face-to-face! In case you are going to go, do some severe preparation.

With the intention to benefit from your time at profession festivals, comply with these greatest practices.
No, you received’t stroll out of a profession truthful with a job supply they usually aren’t a waste of time if you happen to method them with the fitting aims.
1. Discover out what corporations can be there and analysis them for a “Should Go to” listing.
It sounds apparent, however, if the corporate isn’t in your subject or trade, then, you most likely don’t NEED to go to their desk.
You received’t have time to wander by means of the occasion and go to each employer so that you’ll need to assessment the listing of collaborating corporations a day earlier than the occasion. Search for corporations in your goal listing first to see if they are going to be there. Subsequent, search for any employers you’ve been interested in. It is best to plan to go to 5-10 corporations through the occasion.
2. Go to their web sites and see what jobs they’ve posted.
Usually, corporations that attend a profession truthful have posted jobs. In case you can’t discover them on their web site, verify Certainly or LinkedIn.
3. Carry a resume
It’s unlikely that it is possible for you to to submit your resume for obtainable jobs through the profession truthful. They would like you apply on-line. Nonetheless, having a resume that speaks to your abilities to “present” the recruiter or particular person on the desk, could be useful.
4. Put together your pitch
You’ll completely be requested “so what do you do” quite a few occasions at a profession truthful. That is your likelihood to concisely clarify what you might be in search of and what you might be good at doing (your worth). Keep in mind, recruiters at a profession truthful meet a whole lot of individuals so that you need your pitch to be brief and memorable. Preserve it to 30 seconds or much less. Right here’s a method that will help you reply “inform me about your self.”
5. Wait in line
Profit from your time whereas ready in line. Ask the particular person close to you what sort of work they do, what different corporations they’ve visited, and strike up some small chat to kill a while and meet new folks. That is additionally an opportunity so that you can follow your pitch or reply to the query “what do you do?” Use this time to satisfy different job seekers and share trade information.
5a. Ask good questions of the recruiter on the desk
2-3 questions may be all you may have time for. You need to go away the recruiter you meet with a optimistic, , and certified psychological image of you! Asking questions reveals you’ve completed some analysis on the corporate and can assist set you aside. Listed below are some questions you can ask a recruiter at a career fair.
6. Ask when and the way to comply with up
Properly but assertively ask for a enterprise card so you may comply with up after the occasion. In the event that they advocate you apply on-line for a sure job, remember to ask the way to comply with up and the way lengthy you need to wait. Having their contact e mail will make this doable, so remember to ask for it.
7. Observe up, don’t give up!
It’s as much as you to remain in contact with the particular person you meet in case there are future jobs obtainable. They are going to most likely not be capable of bear in mind you or attain out to you if there’s a new job posted in a few months. Corporations are usually not freely giving jobs at a profession truthful. They’re there to satisfy folks and construct a pipeline for present or future jobs they’ve obtainable.
Miscellaneous:
- Arrive on the profession truthful early whereas the recruiters are contemporary. Exhibiting up close to the tip means they’ll most likely be drained or could have determined to go away early.
- At all times deliver enterprise playing cards at hand out both to these you meet whereas ready in line or at hand to recruiters.
- Flip your cellphone off or at the very least flip the ringer off and don’t reply calls in public.
- At all times look your greatest (put on a swimsuit).
- Two phrases: Breath mints.
One Extra Thought:
Chris Brogan attends LOTS of conferences. Right here is his submit on 27 Things to Do Before a Conference.
Attending a profession truthful can fill some folks with nervousness. Being ready and figuring out what to anticipate from the occasion will allow you to navigate it extra efficiently.

Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and profession methods. She based CareerSherpa.internet to coach professionals on the way to maneuver by means of at the moment’s job search course of. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Prime Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a daily contributor to US Information & World Report. She has been quoted by media retailers, together with Forbes, USA At the moment, Cash Journal, Huffington Publish, in addition to many different publications. She can also be writer of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Enterprise Success.