15 Insider Career Fair Tips

What Recruiters Wish You Knew About Career FairsPresentation adapted from: http://www.vocationvillage.com/career-fair-tips/

#1 Attend Early!

Try to attend the career fair during the earlier part of the event rather than the later part. Toward the end, recruiters start to lose their voices and enthusiasm.

#2 Approach recruiters one person at a time.

If you are attending the fair with a friend or two, separate to make the rounds of employers. It is overwhelming for employers to interview two or more people at the same time, so be brave and approach them alone.

#3 Dress for Success

You start making a first impression the moment you walk up to a recruiter. Wear mainstream business attire, but it is OK if your outfit has a bit of individuality and color.

#4 Don’t chew gum.

Don’t chew gum, suck on mints, or eat or drink anything in front of the recruiter. If you are worried about your breath, take care of it before you approach the table.

#5 Do your research before the fair.

The absolute worst way to greet a recruiter is to ask, “So what does your company do?” or, “What jobs do you have open?” Find out who is coming in advance and research what each employer does and what types of job openings they have. Using this info, create an introduction for yourself.

Note: Use BuckyNet to learn who’s coming to the fair!

#6 Have your intro. ready!

Approach each recruiter with fresh enthusiasm and energy. Make eye contact and smile. Some recruiters expect to shake hands but others will have their hands full with a clipboard or other info and in that case, don’t worry about the handshake. Say an intro that includes your name, something about your background and/or skills, and what you want to do.

#7 Practice First!

Practice your pitch on a few of your second choice employers before approaching your top choices. This way, your favorite prospects will be able to see you at your best. Don’t wait too long, though…remember Tip #1.

#8 Move along when it’s time.

Don’t wear out your welcome. After a pleasant and short conversation, say, “It was nice to meet you,” and start to walk away. If the recruiter wants to know something else, he or she will stop you from leaving. It is better to end a conversation a bit early than to create an awkward situation where the recruiter is looking over your shoulder at the long line of job seekers forming and wondering how to get you to move on.

#9 Say what you are looking for on your resume.

Be prepared with a targeted resume. You probably can’t be equally prepared for all employers at the Fair, just the ones that are the best fit for your interests, background, and skills. Recruiters are not impressed with “one size fits all” resumes that have no focus and seem irrelevant to the job opportunities being sought. Don’t be afraid to be specific about what you want as it will increase your marketability for the best career options for you.

#10 Only if you had a great conversation, get their business card.

Ask each recruiter for a business card but don’t take it personally if any recruiter doesn’t want to give you one. Recruiters have told me that they received literally 1000 emails after some career fairs so they stopped giving out their contact info. They just don’t have time to respond to that many people.

#11 Some recruiters may not be open to discussion.

Career fair organizers are as annoyed as you are when a lazy recruiter seems like they have no interest in having a discussion and they just want to tell job seekers to go to the company website and apply online, but I have seen lots of recruiters do this. It isn’t worth fighting with the recruiter about it…just seek out a more motivated recruiter.

#12 Some recruiters may not take your resume.

A recruiter may ask you some questions about your resume, or he/she may not. If a recruiter doesn’t seem interested, say, “It was nice to meet you,” and walk away. Don’t gauge an employer’s interest in whether or not they will physically take your resume. Many companies want all applications to be done electronically and if you make a good impression, the recruiter has noted your name in some way to look you up later.

#13 Remember, you’re NOT there just for the swag.

Many recruiters bring small gifts (SWAG aka “stuff we all get”) to career fairs. Feel free to ask to take one from each table, but don’t grab more than one and don’t ask if you can take one for your family member or friend. It is fine to carry a professional looking bag to carry these items, but don’t take so many things and stuff them all into such a huge bag that you look like you are a shopping adventure.

#14 Send a thank you note.

If you are given contact info by a recruiter, send a brief thank you note (or email) after the event. This is your opportunity to demonstrate excellent writing skills and to again call attention to the reasons why the company might want to interview you.

#15 There ARE other ways to land internships/jobs.

If you would rather have a root canal than attend a career fair, don’t despair! There are many other ways to land a job.