Bring your updated resume, along with some business cards, and be prepared to conduct several mini impromptu interviews on the spot. That's what job fairs are all about, for candidates and hiring managers to meet face to face in an effort to find that perfect job and the best qualified employee.
Employers pay thousands of dollars to rent a booth at an IT job fair. They have an incentive to make good use of their time there, since they have a captive audience (you, the job-seeker), and no recruiters are involved, which means a huge savings on agency fees. Because decisions can be made right then and there, you need to be prepared with a brief (less than 90 seconds) intro and background about yourself, which you can deliver comfortably and confidently. Communications and presentation are extremely important, so make sure you think about it before you get there.
The job fair will probably run from early morning through late evening, so hiring managers and company representatives (i.e. HR) generally split shifts to cover the day. This means that the particular manager you need to speak with may or may not be there when you are. Don't worry if they aren't, but don't spend your time interviewing with the Marketing Manager if you are looking for a Software Engineer job. Respectfully submit your resume and take a business card from the booth for follow-up in a few days, then move on.
Somewhere at the job fair (or online) they have posted the types of jobs each company has open. Review this list prior to attending if possible, and focus your search on those that are of interest. This is a good way to find out who is hiring, even if they don't have something that's a perfect fit for you. It's still worth a few minutes to stop by the booth of a company you're interested in and drop off your resume.
Keep in mind, these job fairs attract thousands of job-seekers, and can be crowded during peak times. The most popular times are during the lunch hour, and just after work, so go in the morning or early afternoon to avoid the rush. If you're seriously looking for a job, plan to spend several hours at the job fair, and be sure to bring plenty of resumes (100 isn't too many).
Treat the job fair just like you would any other interview. Dress professionally (business or business casual) and have answers ready for the typical HR type questions. Be enthusiastic in explaining why you would be a good candidate for the job and how you could add value to the organization by relating it back to your previous accomplishments and work experience.
Following the job fair, you may want to do some additional research on the most promising companies. Check their website to see if you can gather any additional information about the company and the job openings. Keep in contact with them, using the business cards you collected, and send a follow-up "thank you" letter or email. You may also want to send an inquiry letter to those companies who were at the job fair, but that did not have openings in your area.
Using these basic guidelines will help you be more successful at your next job fair. Good luck on your high-tech job search!
More from Computer Careers . . .Subscribe to our newsletter, join the community forum, and see more of our site!
Newsletter | Discussion Forum | Site Map | Techie Gift Shop | Contact Host
Save to Del.icio.us
