How to Stand out at a Career Fair

How to Stand out at a Career Fair

I recently went to a Career Fair with a friend that was in the “I am so desperate for a job that I am applying for anything” mode. I stopped him and said that is not that best way to go about this. You need to go in there and be professional.  He wanted to know how I can be so cool, calm, collect about going in and I said “just treat it like an interview” where I follow the same steps and use a few pointers that a career coach gave me not that long ago:

Before you go:

- Find out which employers that are going to be there (they should be posted on the website)
- Research what the employers  are looking for
- Know what you are looking for (Don’t be my friend, J)
- Print copies of your resume and protect them from stains and bends
- Dress like you are going to an interview
- Create an ‘elevator speech’
- Practise, Practise, Practise!

When you get there:

- Arrive early so you have a chance to see the employer that you most want to see
- After you see the employers that you really want to meet, go back and talk to the others
- Keep an open mind!
- Take notes on who you meet and the companies that they work for and when is a good chance to do a follow up with them
- Use your time well. If you are standing and waiting in line, try listening to what the people in front of you are asking and what the employer says
- Greet the employer, smile, be friendly. Don’t be my friend J, who just went over and handed the employer his resume. This is the time for you to shine!
- Ask them what the next step is in the hiring process. It shows that you are seriously interested in working for that company
- Collect business cards

After the Career Fair:

- Send a “Thank You” Note or email to the employer from the contact you made and from the business cards that you picked up
- After you get a response from the employer, try to keep in touch