By Lisa Parker, CPRW
If you are planning on heading out to a job fair, most likely you are either currently looking for a new job opportunity, or considering a change in your present career path. Job fairs offer multiple opportunities to explore options in promoting your personal and professional development.
You will find that job fairs provide valuable networking avenues with actual employers, their hiring managers, recruiters, and even other jobseekers. Discover leads on new companies coming to your area, or even browse the incentives employers provide for relocating in your current career field. Whatever your reason for attending a job fair, there are some things you should know and prepare for before your arrival.
The companies, employers and recruiters that line the aisles to market the benefits of working with their organization are serious. They wouldn’t be there if they were not searching for the next potential employee to add as an asset to their staff. By realizing that they are scanning the room for potential candidates – just as you are scanning for new job opportunities – you will have already taken a step closer to beginning a new phase in your career development.
The best things happen to those who are proactive in setting and reaching goals, so you will get more out of the event if you prepare as much as possible beforehand.
Research – obtain a list of potential employers. By knowing which companies are planning to attend the job fair, you will have a pretty good idea of the career fields and employment opportunities available. Highlight some of the companies that you may be interested in. Create a schedule for your visit, and place those companies in an order of precedence which best supports your objectives. Then, research each company and make a few notes that you can review prior to your visit with them.
By looking up organizations online, and reading about their services, products, mission, values, corporate goals and career development opportunities, you will sound well informed when you approach employers to inquire about current vacancies. Time will be limited with representatives, but you can use that time effectively by being prepared with key comments and questions. This tactic will immediately help you stand out from the other jobseekers who just stop by for a brochure, having no particular goal or clear idea of what they are looking for.
Identify Your Personal Career Goals. If you are seeking a particular position, make sure you know everything there is to know about it and be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge. You can’t impress a potential employer by hoping they will give you a shot at an opening that you know nothing about. Once you identify a particular area of interest, you must also know the job description, the industry and how to portray to the hiring authority that you are the best pick for the job. On the other hand, if you are not sure what your career goals are, make notes and obtain employer information so that you can research opportunities and follow up with employers within a few days after the event. It isn’t wise to waste your time, the employer’s time, or hinder the goals of others who have mapped out their objectives.
Plan to Market Yourself and Network. Look at this opportunity as a potential on-the-spot interview. Make sure you have your resume updated, and numerous copies available. You may also have business cards that you can leave with employers or other jobseekers after meeting with them. Sometimes the best opportunities come along when we are not actually looking for them; and to have an unexpected opportunity pass you by because you were unprepared to provide your resume or contact information will be a big mistake. Take the time to be outgoing, open, friendly, and converse with other jobseekers you meet. They may have come in contact with a representative looking for someone with your qualifications, and kind consideration for their interests may prove beneficial. In addition, you must always have something to write with, a folder or notebook to take notes, and a place to keep the information you gather.
Dress for Success. To be successful at a job fair, you have to approach it as if you were scheduled for an interview. Appropriate attire will indicate to observers that you are a serious candidate. Business dress is the only choice. If you are not properly dressed for an unexpected job fair, refrain from attending until you are prepared. The first impression you make will be the one that you leave behind, and it will be hard to compensate for in the future. The representatives will probably remember you and the first impression will stand.
Adjust Your Attitude. Just as you are seeking opportunities for growth and advancement, the company recruiters will be seeking outstanding applicants to fill their vacancies. They will be motivated to select the best candidates: those who appear to be professional, motivated, enthusiastic and eager to work. Don’t underestimate the power of the employer representatives to make recommendations on your behalf, either for or against possible consideration. Realize that employers explicitly trust the judgment of their recruiters in selecting potential candidates. If you don’t make a good first impression on the day of the job fair, you have little chance of being invited to interview with that employer. No matter how impressive your resume and credentials may be, they won’t matter to the hiring authority if you lack enthusiasm or are apathetic in your job search. Try your best to be upbeat, positive, and leave each representative with the impression that you came to the job fair just for the opportunity to make contact with their company.
Professionalism – Always. As outlined above, your attitude and the way you approach the representatives of these companies will leave a lasting impression. Treat each recruiter as if they are the hiring authority or the business owner. Never let your guard down or get too comfortable in your interactions with others at the job fair. Making impressions and being competitive is the name of the game. You must also assume that company representatives talk to each other and traverse the aisles just as you do, so negative comments about a specific company or representative may fall on the wrong set of ears. Approach the event as if your behavior is being recorded throughout, and will be reviewed by the potential employers at a later time.
Seek Input, Gather Information. Compile information from each employer you visit. Gather the brochures, business cards, and other information that you may need in the future, especially if you have left a copy of your resume or professional portfolio in their possession. There are several reasons for having as much information as possible. You can score points with the organizations that really interest you by writing a thank-you letter to express your appreciation for the opportunity to introduce yourself and learn about the employer’s needs. You will need the names and points of contact to assist you in a follow-up. By obtaining the brochure or business card, you will have not only the properly spelled names, but the address, location and contact numbers of the company representatives. Imagine the frustration of not knowing whom to contact, or with whom you spoke as you prepare to follow up in the future; not to mention how unprofessional it may appear to others when you cannot identify the person later. In addition, you will have a substantial record of your job-search history and the companies you made contact with.
Workshops and Seminars. Many job fairs include workshops on a variety of job-search skills and other career-development topics such as resume writing, online applications, interviews, motivation, professional etiquette, and job-search strategies. Make sure you review the schedule and plan to attend any of the topics that you find interesting. This is a great opportunity to develop insight and obtain free advice from career development experts in areas that will assist you in planning your job search. The labor market and the strategies used in making an impact on employers change on a regular basis. Attending these brief workshops will help you keep abreast of the latest and greatest trends in job-search techniques. You may also receive valuable information and direct points of contact for future questions you may have.
Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia
If you are planning on heading out to a job fair, most likely you are either currently looking for a new job opportunity, or considering a change in your present career path. Job fairs offer multiple opportunities to explore options in promoting your personal and professional development.
You will find that job fairs provide valuable networking avenues with actual employers, their hiring managers, recruiters, and even other jobseekers. Discover leads on new companies coming to your area, or even browse the incentives employers provide for relocating in your current career field. Whatever your reason for attending a job fair, there are some things you should know and prepare for before your arrival.
The companies, employers and recruiters that line the aisles to market the benefits of working with their organization are serious. They wouldn’t be there if they were not searching for the next potential employee to add as an asset to their staff. By realizing that they are scanning the room for potential candidates – just as you are scanning for new job opportunities – you will have already taken a step closer to beginning a new phase in your career development.
The best things happen to those who are proactive in setting and reaching goals, so you will get more out of the event if you prepare as much as possible beforehand.
Research – obtain a list of potential employers. By knowing which companies are planning to attend the job fair, you will have a pretty good idea of the career fields and employment opportunities available. Highlight some of the companies that you may be interested in. Create a schedule for your visit, and place those companies in an order of precedence which best supports your objectives. Then, research each company and make a few notes that you can review prior to your visit with them.
By looking up organizations online, and reading about their services, products, mission, values, corporate goals and career development opportunities, you will sound well informed when you approach employers to inquire about current vacancies. Time will be limited with representatives, but you can use that time effectively by being prepared with key comments and questions. This tactic will immediately help you stand out from the other jobseekers who just stop by for a brochure, having no particular goal or clear idea of what they are looking for.
Identify Your Personal Career Goals. If you are seeking a particular position, make sure you know everything there is to know about it and be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge. You can’t impress a potential employer by hoping they will give you a shot at an opening that you know nothing about. Once you identify a particular area of interest, you must also know the job description, the industry and how to portray to the hiring authority that you are the best pick for the job. On the other hand, if you are not sure what your career goals are, make notes and obtain employer information so that you can research opportunities and follow up with employers within a few days after the event. It isn’t wise to waste your time, the employer’s time, or hinder the goals of others who have mapped out their objectives.
Plan to Market Yourself and Network. Look at this opportunity as a potential on-the-spot interview. Make sure you have your resume updated, and numerous copies available. You may also have business cards that you can leave with employers or other jobseekers after meeting with them. Sometimes the best opportunities come along when we are not actually looking for them; and to have an unexpected opportunity pass you by because you were unprepared to provide your resume or contact information will be a big mistake. Take the time to be outgoing, open, friendly, and converse with other jobseekers you meet. They may have come in contact with a representative looking for someone with your qualifications, and kind consideration for their interests may prove beneficial. In addition, you must always have something to write with, a folder or notebook to take notes, and a place to keep the information you gather.
Dress for Success. To be successful at a job fair, you have to approach it as if you were scheduled for an interview. Appropriate attire will indicate to observers that you are a serious candidate. Business dress is the only choice. If you are not properly dressed for an unexpected job fair, refrain from attending until you are prepared. The first impression you make will be the one that you leave behind, and it will be hard to compensate for in the future. The representatives will probably remember you and the first impression will stand.
Adjust Your Attitude. Just as you are seeking opportunities for growth and advancement, the company recruiters will be seeking outstanding applicants to fill their vacancies. They will be motivated to select the best candidates: those who appear to be professional, motivated, enthusiastic and eager to work. Don’t underestimate the power of the employer representatives to make recommendations on your behalf, either for or against possible consideration. Realize that employers explicitly trust the judgment of their recruiters in selecting potential candidates. If you don’t make a good first impression on the day of the job fair, you have little chance of being invited to interview with that employer. No matter how impressive your resume and credentials may be, they won’t matter to the hiring authority if you lack enthusiasm or are apathetic in your job search. Try your best to be upbeat, positive, and leave each representative with the impression that you came to the job fair just for the opportunity to make contact with their company.
Professionalism – Always. As outlined above, your attitude and the way you approach the representatives of these companies will leave a lasting impression. Treat each recruiter as if they are the hiring authority or the business owner. Never let your guard down or get too comfortable in your interactions with others at the job fair. Making impressions and being competitive is the name of the game. You must also assume that company representatives talk to each other and traverse the aisles just as you do, so negative comments about a specific company or representative may fall on the wrong set of ears. Approach the event as if your behavior is being recorded throughout, and will be reviewed by the potential employers at a later time.
Seek Input, Gather Information. Compile information from each employer you visit. Gather the brochures, business cards, and other information that you may need in the future, especially if you have left a copy of your resume or professional portfolio in their possession. There are several reasons for having as much information as possible. You can score points with the organizations that really interest you by writing a thank-you letter to express your appreciation for the opportunity to introduce yourself and learn about the employer’s needs. You will need the names and points of contact to assist you in a follow-up. By obtaining the brochure or business card, you will have not only the properly spelled names, but the address, location and contact numbers of the company representatives. Imagine the frustration of not knowing whom to contact, or with whom you spoke as you prepare to follow up in the future; not to mention how unprofessional it may appear to others when you cannot identify the person later. In addition, you will have a substantial record of your job-search history and the companies you made contact with.
Workshops and Seminars. Many job fairs include workshops on a variety of job-search skills and other career-development topics such as resume writing, online applications, interviews, motivation, professional etiquette, and job-search strategies. Make sure you review the schedule and plan to attend any of the topics that you find interesting. This is a great opportunity to develop insight and obtain free advice from career development experts in areas that will assist you in planning your job search. The labor market and the strategies used in making an impact on employers change on a regular basis. Attending these brief workshops will help you keep abreast of the latest and greatest trends in job-search techniques. You may also receive valuable information and direct points of contact for future questions you may have.
Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia
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