How to Prepare for a Career/Job Fair

CareerSource Pinellas holds four career fairs every year, however, many organizations around the Bay area also hold career or job fairs. If you're looking for a job these can often be great opportunities to meet an employer face-to-face and give him/her a chance to hear why you are the best person for the job.

Though, if you want to get the most out of these events, there's some pre-fair work to be done:

1. Research Who Will be There
Want to know how not make a good first impression? Go up to an employer's booth and ask, "What does your company do?" It is imperative that you research what companies or organizations will be at the event. By doing so, you have the chance to find out what current projects they're working on, what the company culture is like, etc., which can give you a leg-up on the competition. You can tell the employer why you'd be the best candidate for the job and work in some knowledge about the company to show you've done your homework.

2. Find Out What Jobs are Available
Since you've done your research and know which companies/organizations you want to target and have an arsenal of facts in your pocket, find out what positions they're hiring for. Sometimes available jobs are listed on the career/job fair website or flyer, but not always. If this is the case, it will look even more impressive when you introduce yourself and tell the employer which job you're interested in applying for.

3. Be Ready with Questions for the Employer
Hopefully by now you know which employers you're going to visit and what job(s) you are inquiring about, which means you can start working on some questions to ask. These can be about the job you're applying for, the company (although, make sure these questions aren't the kind that can easily be answered with your own prior research), and what kind of employees they like to hire. This also shows just how prepared you are, which is a very sought-after quality by employers.

4. Look the Part
Remember, you're meeting this employer for (most likely) the first time and it's important you make a good impression. You should dress nice and make sure you look presentable: brushed hair, clean-shaven or tidy facial hair, no stains on clothing, shirts tucked in, no low-cut blouses or short skirts, etc. Chances are, if you 'look the part' you will also...

5. Act the Part
Confidence is key! That's obviously a phrase that is used a lot but studies show that being confident can make a big difference, especially when searching for a job. Just watch this TED talk on "Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are" if you're not convinced. Know what you want and don't be afraid to show the employer that you're the person who can fulfill their need.

Remember, remember, remember...bring plenty of resumes with you and business cards if you have them. For certain jobs, it might also be good to bring a portfolio of past work.

For more tips on how to make the most out of a career or job fair, watch our Job Hunting 101 video where local employers give us the inside scoop on what impresses them most!

Are there any pieces of advice you can add that might help those attending career or job fairs?


Hope these help,