Are you thinking about attending a job fair? Perhaps you’ve never really considered it or wonder what’s the best way to get something worthwhile from the experience?
A job fair is simply a collection of employers and recruitment officers gathered under one roof. They have their company wares set out around them and other jobseekers like yourself mill about trying to impress and be impressed. You could compare it to a speed-dating event in that sense.
You will find that regular job fair events are organised by your local Jobcentre and they can advise you of the location and who will be present. If you’re looking for work, they’re well worth going along to (it also shows the Jobcentre that you are trying) but, like all jobseeking, the devil is in the detail and preparation will tell.
It would be all-too-easy to drift along and mooch around the stalls, stopping to chat to any recruiters that caught your eye. If you just want a day out, go for it, but, if you’re really after getting a job, then that is not the way to do it.
Here is a rough guide to attending a job fair for someone who wants to make the most of the opportunity it presents.
Beforehand
- Get that list off the Jobcentre. You need to know who will be there and also when the event opens.
- Scour the list carefully, reading and re-reading it so that you know who you want to see.
- If you have a plan of the stalls, try to sort out a logical route map of where you have to go.
- Research each company thoroughly, making sure you can answer the question, “Why do you want to work for us?”. You may well get asked that and you don’t want to be standing there with a silly look on your face while your competitors wave their hands in the air going, “Please sir, please sir, I can answer that”.
- Have your questions clear in your mind and don’t be afraid to commit them to paper for reference on the day.
- Get plenty of CV’s prepared so that you can have them to hand.
Think carefully about the old exam logic of doing your best question second to give your nerves a chance to settle down. If that sounds like you, plan the route accordingly. If getting to see each recruiter (allow 10 minutes a stall to cover waiting for other jobseekers) looks like a tall order, then prioritise so that some tables you’ll only visit if you have time.
On the day
- Dress smartly for the occasion – these are effectively interviews, after all. If you are recommended to the company by the recruitment officer, the impression you made will accompany you.
- Consider making a name badge with the type of work you are looking for underneath. You never know who may spot you and take a shine to you and your go-getting attitude. No, you won’t look stupid – the recruiters will all be wearing similar badges besides which, this is a competition and the day is all about winning the job you want.
- Arrive early so that you can get the maximum time with your chosen employers. It shows enthusiasm too.
- Don’t waste time with daft questions about holidays and other conditions. Save those for the real interview (they’re probably on the company website anyway). You’ll only get a few minutes of the recruiter’s attention so make the most of them.
- Speak up and get noticed. Now is not the time to be a shrinking violet (think of the speed-dating analogy).
- If you like a job and got on well with the recruiter, get a card with their email address on it.
Afterwards
- Follow up with an email thanking the recruiter personally for their time and complimenting them on their helpfulness (this will make them want to show the email to their own boss!). The phrase you also need to use is, “I wish to express my continued interest in working with your company”.
- If you get to attend a formal interview, refer back to how much you benefited from the job fair. It sounds good and the company will appreciate the feedback.
Good luck. Do let us know how you got on.
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