Have You Tried Job Fairs Yet?

Whether you are looking for work or deciding on a career path, consider visiting job fairs as part of your search.

What Is A Job Fair?

It is a gathering of companies looking to recruit new employees. Sometimes, these companies are actively hiring. Other times, they are simply letting prospects know about their company and the types of careers they have available. At most career fairs, each employer has its own booth. At each booth will be tables containing literature about that business and the opportunities it offers.

Where Can You Find Job Fairs?

On Campus
Many career fairs are held on school campuses. Recruiting fairs are most often on college campuses, but some are held at high schools. It depends on the venue and purpose of the job fair.

At high schools, the career fair is often geared toward letting the students know what types of work are available in the community. The representatives on hand answer questions about the level of education needed for a particular position. They can tell you the income potential of a position and what that position requires on a daily basis.

On college campuses, the representatives will have this same information, but they may also be actively looking for new employees. In this case, it is wise to be properly dressed and prepared for an on-the-spot interview.

Off campus
Sometimes, job fairs are held at public venues and open to the community. They may be advertised on radio or you might see them in the newspaper. These job fairs can have corporate sponsors or focused on a particular field. This is common in fields such as

Healthcare
Information technology
Military careers

However, if you are looking to work in a specific field or for a specific company, it is worth it to find out if a local fair is a match for your needs.

For a Career Fair In your Area Click on this link and fill in location Career Fairs Upcoming

At The Career Fair

When you go to a Career fair, go prepared. Bring:

Resumes
Letters of recommendation
A copy of your references
Proof of age and citizenship

By going in prepared, you will make the most of any career fair you attend. Once there, visit the booths of companies or fields of work that most interest you. Pay attention to the look and feel of the booth. Is it professional? Do the representatives look and behave professionally? Do they seem genuinely enthusiastic about the company? About their work?

Take a close look at their handout materials. Are they of good quality? Do they answer your questions and make you feel good about the company?

How a company presents itself at a career fair is an indication of how they are to work for. If they are all about appearances, but you find no substance to their materials, this may apply to working for them, too. You may be chosen because you have the right "look" as opposed to being genuinely qualified for the position.

As you visit each booth, take literature and materials only from those you would be interested in working for. Ask intelligent questions about the company, the work and the opportunities on offer.

Make good use of your listening skills and speaking skills while at a local fair. Displaying these skills and other aspects of your professionalism will leave a positive impression. In fact, it's even possible to walk out with an offer in hand.

Here is an article about tips for success at a Career fair.
Tips For Career Fair Success

An article about what kinds of questions to ask.
Career Fair Questions To Ask