How do you balance your time and energy among different booths and sessions at a career fair?

Find out the types of jobs they'll be recruiting for - many companies are hiring entry level positions so if you're at a senior level, better off skipping these events unless they offer presentations. But if still choose to go, network with everyone (including your fellow attendees).

If you're able to, research the employers who will be at the fair beforehand. Make a list of 5-10 employers you're hoping to visit, keeping in mind that some employers may have lines of students waiting to meet with them. Once you get to the fair, grab a map so you can plan how you'll navigate the space. Going with a peer can help ease your nerves, especially if it's your first career fair. More likely than not, the career center that's putting on the fair will be staffing the event and can help guide you to certain booths, walk you around the fair, and answer any questions you have.

There are many types of career fairs and events: large-scale and small-scale fairs, employer of the day events, monthly hiring events, employer open houses, stop-in in-person interviews, virtual job fairs - the list goes on and on. First and foremost, PLAN AHEAD. Prepare by researching the event itself. If you heard about the event from a friend or on a podcast commercial, go online and find more information. Or, if the post or flyer you saw didn’t provide a website to learn more, contact the event’s host and ask questions. What are the hours of the event? Who will be there? Is there a list of positions available with links to individual job postings? Learn all you can about the event so you can plan to be successful and productive at it.

You have to make a solid first impression when you finally meet someone for the first time. Doing your homework and research without going too deep is key. Start by researching who'll be there and what they're about, then prioritize your 'must-visit' booths based on your career goals. Create a mental or digital itinerary and stick to it, but allow some wiggle room for impromptu opportunities. Use your phone for more than selfies; set reminders for must-see sessions or speakers. When you're at each booth, remember the "Two T's": Time and Takeaways. Limit your time so you can explore broadly and focus on key takeaways—what can you learn here, what can you offer, and how does this align with your long-term goals?

Once you know the time frame plus the number and variety of employers, decide on strategy. For example, at a smaller event with a handful of employers within your targeted industry you may plan to stop to network with each employer even if they do not have active postings for positions you’re targeting. They may know of upcoming openings. At large-scale fairs you’ll need to target relevant employers. Again, I encourage you to ask questions of the event host to help with your strategy and time management at the fair. Is there a directory or map of the employer tables? Will specific industries be clustered together or spread throughout the venue? Is this an annual event? If so, what advice can the host provide you based on previous years?

As someone who have recruited from career fair here are things to stand out. Know the targeted title company is hiring for & bring customized resume. Tips-locate the past job posting/linkedIn profile with similar title at the company to understand tasks then add on resume. Go straight to hiring manager, there will be people in booth, engage, and ask. Ultimately, you need a buy in from hiring manager. Apply 80/20 rule. 80% listening by asking questions. 20% selling yourself after understanding company's hiring process. Ask what the next steps are & business card. Follow up with thank you , add the resume. Make things easy as there will be lots of resume at fair. If there is job posting, apply online & give heads up to manager.

Do what you can to get a decent night of sleep beforehand. Groom and dress appropriately. Before the day of, make sure your fit is comfortable and flattering so you are confident as you introduce yourself to these strangers you'd like to impress. Practice introducing yourself, briefly outlining your career goals and top technical and soft skills in the mirror with a smile. Power pose. Practice with someone else. Review your research. Based on the employer and their current open positions, which top technical and soft skills will you be highlighting to them specifically? Take your notes to glance at them before going up to employers, but do not read from them! If you’ve already applied, tell the employer and ask about their hiring process.

Wouldn't go the route of a follow-up thank you note at a job fair. If you really want to differentiate yourself, connect on LinkedIn using your QR code to do that on your phone or tablet. Many people will have no idea what you're talking about so that'll really set you apart.

Hopefully during your research of the event you've found some employers and positions that really interest you. If your interest was caught you likely read through the entire posting, the employer's website, and completed the application! Go back and review all that so you're ready to ask questions about what you learned and the next step in the hiring process for that position. When there's a lack of your targeted positions, use the opportunity to NETWORK. Ask about upcoming openings and organizational growth, take notes! Ask the employer if you can connect with them on LinkedIn. If your REALLY interested in the employer, ask if you could schedule an informational interview with them where you ask questions to learn more about them.

Connect with the employers you met via LinkedIn. Follow up on applications submitted and resumes shared. Schedule informational interviews. Mark your calendar for possible upcoming openings at target employers.