How to Navigate Job Fairs: Everything You Need to Know to Land the Job
Welcome to the ultimate guide on attending job fairs – your insider to navigating the maze of opportunities and landing your dream job. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie to the job fair scene, this guide is your roadmap to making the most out of every handshake, conversation, and free swag opportunity. So, channel your inner networking guru, and get ready to take on the job fair!
Where to Find Job Fairs
While turning to Google first is useful, you might not connect with companies in your industry at the general list of events it suggests. Here’s a short list of places to look to find job fairs that align more with your values and career aspirations:
How to Prepare for a Job Fair
Similar to the interview process, preparing for a job fair requires the basic materials one would need to show up professionally. Below are some tricks and tips to ensure even the tiniest of bad luck won’t spoil your plans.?
Update Your LinkedIn Profile
Our online presence is equally as important as how we show up physically. Recruiters and HR managers will try to connect with you after the fair. If it’s blank or has old information, they are more likely to pass you over in favor of someone else. Especially update your profile if you attend virtual or hybrid career fairs as it could be the first thing they review before seeing you.?
Tailor Your Resume
Treat a job fair as if you are applying for the job. Find the top skills mentioned in a few open positions and edit your resume highlighting experiences that align with them. Consider bringing two to three versions of your resume so each company you visit receives the best resume for them.?
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Research Participating Employers
Take the time to research the companies and their open positions. Familiarize yourself with their mission, values, products, services, and job openings to tailor your conversations and demonstrate your interest. Plus, it will help you make a plan of attack when you visit the job fair, ensuring you use your time as efficiently as possible.?
Practice Your Elevator Pitch
Prepare a brief, compelling elevator pitch that highlights your top skills, details your career goal, and expresses your enthusiasm. It will be your answer to the most common question you will receive, “Tell me about yourself.”
Choose Your Outfit the Night Before
It’s no secret that business casual is the go-to dress code for the job search process. But we often think of professional attire as drab, neutral colors void of personality. At a job fair, wearing pops of color, patterns, and eye-catching accessories can be the difference between getting a call and getting lost in the shuffle. The recruiters and HR leaders you meet will see hundreds to thousands of people throughout the event. They may not remember your name, but they will remember a pink floral tie, wooden watch, or artsy earring.?
Test Your Technology
For virtual and hybrid job fairs, ensure your computer, internet connection, and any necessary software or platforms work correctly before it begins. Every minute counts on timed virtual calls with recruiters, don’t waste them fighting your technology.?
Register for a Job Fair Today!
We want to introduce you to the career fairs hosted by the Professional Diversity Network (PDN). PDN partners with companies in every industry nationally to connect them with qualified candidates like yourself! Choose from local, virtual, or themed job fairs and meet your next employer!