Job & Career Fairs are crucial to new graduates and seasoned employees alike! They are a perfect opportunity to grow your professional network in a short amount of time. But you’ll need to be strategic and come prepared. Here are NEW’s tips for successful job fair networking.
Do your Homework
Being prepared for a Job Fair requires a bit of work before the event. If you put in the time, you’ll see the results!
- Find out who will be attending and research the employers. Think of meaningful questions that you can ask the recruiters.
- Update your resume and have it professionally reviewed by an employment service. Pro Tip: NEW can help.
- Hone your pitch by practicing introducing yourself and what value you bring to the employer. Try to keep it around 30 seconds.
Travel Light
Job Fairs can be crowded. Don’t add to your stress by bringing too much stuff with you. There’s no need for customized cover letters at a job fair, save those for your follow-up applications.
- Bring what you need: a pen, your purse/wallet, phone, a folder/folio for your documents.
- Try not to bring a large backpack or bag with you.
- Print resume copies or get creative with a Link/QR code to your digital resume. If you have business cards, bring a handful. Don’t bring a whole box.
First Impressions
Think about how you present yourself to new people – remember it’s normal to be a bit nervous. Before you head to the Job Fair, do something to relax yourself and get into a positive mindset. Once you’re at the event, you’ll be ready to network.
- Be mindful of your body language. Try to appear open and approachable. Pro Tip: Relax with a deep breath, smile and make eye contact.
- Don’t visit presenter booths in a big group. If you’re not comfortable circulating alone, go with one other person. Allow the employers to chat with you one-on-one.
- Be Present. Pro Tip: Put your phone away.
- Dress professionally but be comfortable. Wear shoes you can stand in for a couple of hours. Don’t make yourself feel awkward by wearing something that isn’t “you”.
Interacting with Employers
Meeting an employer/recruiter/presenter at a Job Fair is just like meeting a new friend for coffee. Don’t make it more complicated – they’re there to talk to you!
- Smile, make eye contact, and introduce yourself with your first and last name. Listen to their name.
- Shake hands if you want to. Not everyone is comfortable with handshakes, and you can always show your enthusiasm though facial expressions and eye contact. A wave is ok too.
- Small talk about the venue, weather, food, etc. is a good way to break the ice. Usually, the employer will start the conversation, but occasionally you may need to start.
- Don’t just hand them a resume and leave. Pro Tip: Just dropping off a resume is considered rude. If you’re serious about wanting to work for the employer, have a conversation with them. Network. Build a connection that they will remember you by.
- Ask questions and listen actively. Learn something about the company/organization, share something about yourself and ask if you can leave a resume or contact information.
Mind your Time
Sometimes you’ll hit it off with a recruiter and want to have a longer conversation. If there are people waiting behind you, keep it short! Don’t forget that you’re there to meet multiple employers.
- If there are people waiting behind you, it can be rude to monopolize a recruiter’s time. Plan for follow-up to continue the conversation later.
- Pro Tip: Ask for a business card or LinkedIn contact. If you have more questions or want to continue the conversation later, email is a great way to connect after an event. Try to connect within 24 hours of the event.
- Practice ending a conversation to avoid rambling or over-sharing. Pro Tip: End your conversation by thanking the presenter for their time.
- After you leave the table, jot down some notes to help you remember what you spoke to that employer about. This will help you with your follow-up when connecting after the event.
When you’re planning to attend a job fair or hiring event, stay ahead of the curve by preparing in advance. Don’t forget that NEW is here to help you with your job search.
Everyone needs a support system while they look for work.