Match, Meet, and Mesmerize at a Job Fair

Are you considering another trip through the career maze? Attending a job fair can make you feel like you are playing a losing game unless you have a clear understanding of the rules. Here are a few suggestions for making the most of any job fair, and gaining a competitive edge.

GET A JUMP ON YOUR COMPETITION

* Review the list of participating companies and determine which companies interest you the most. Pick several.

* Collect information about these companies and do your research before you attend the job fair. Check out their Web sites and look for information about them on the Internet.

* Match your skills to the companies' needs and job requirements.

* Practice your fifteen-second introduction. Be sure to include your name, your key skills, and what you can do for the company.

* Review your accomplishments and be ready to talk about them.

KNOCK THEIR SOCKS OFF

* Approach the job fair as you would a job interview.

* Dress appropriately and avoid wearing too much perfume or cologne.

* Bring plenty of clean, error-free résumés on good quality paper.

* Know what you are looking for. Be able to explain what you can do and what kind of position you want. Remember it is not the recruiter's task to determine which job is right for you.

* Relate what you know about the company and their products and services.

* Link your skills and experience to what they need. If you visited their Web site, say so.

* Enjoy the process; be positive and ready to talk about yourself.

* Smile, shake hands, and introduce yourself.

* Ask questions that demonstrate your interest.

* Ask for the interviewer's business card so you can follow up later. Make notes on the back of the card so you can remember what you discussed.

DON'T SABOTAGE YOUR SUCCESS

* Don't bring your children.

* Don't try to baffle anyone with smooth talk.

* Don't bring up any past history you have with the company or its recruiters.

* Don't grab a handful of freebies. Take one.

ESSENTIAL AND YET NOT SO OBVIOUS

* Visit with the smaller, seemingly less successful employers. You could easily miss a dynamic, little-known company that is a perfect match.

* Talk to other job seekers. Exchange information about possible employers. Don't miss out on this hot source of possible opportunities.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION

* Sort through the company business cards you collected. Prioritize them for following up.

* Contact recruiters and hiring managers by telephone. After small job fairs, follow up within three days. After large job fairs, follow up within five days. Remind them of who you are, when you met, and what job or position you discussed.

* Express interest in meeting with them and offer to send them another copy of your résumé if they can't locate yours immediately.

* Follow up, follow up, and follow up yet again.

Mary Jeanne Vincent is the author of Acing the Interview tip cards featuring answers to the top 20 "killer" interview questions. Also included are tips for interviewing in the new economy, ideas for responding to illegal and trick questions, and suggestions for avoiding 10 deadly interview mistakes.

Go to http://www.2bworkwise.com for free job search articles and to sign up for the free WorkWise e-zine. For information on individual job and career coaching or to find out about other practical, easy-to-use career tools call Mary Jeanne at 831.657.9151.

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Resume Writing Tips

Make sure that your resume is up to date with... Read More

Women Who Quit Work Abrubtly After Childbirth - Are You the Type?

According to statistics one out of every five pregnant women... Read More

Successful Job Seeking ? The Importance of Your Cover Letter

As an employer I receive many job applications each week.... Read More

Mystery Shopping - An Excellent Part Time Job Or Additional Income Source

Though the name itself may seem a bit mysterious, the... Read More

Five Qualities Employers Want

More than ever, employers want employees who can produce results!... Read More

Finding a Job Under Tough Circumstances

Anyone can find a job. That's right, I said "anyone".... Read More

How To Find Your Dream Job

Here's the bottom line: many people work in jobs that... Read More

Successful Job Search: 10 Steps To Quickly Acquire Your Dream Job And Put More Money In Your Pocket

Do you want to continue your costly, time-consuming and exhausting... Read More

Factual Employment Screening Part 2

An Employment Screening OutlinePolicy DevelopmentA policy of Factual Employment Screening;... Read More

A Killer Secret To Get Your Cover Letter Read

You're still reading?so I know my title grabbed your attention.Why?... Read More

Why Should We Hire You?

This is one of those broad questions that can take... Read More

Loving What You Do

Man is a social animal and survival is his major... Read More

Benefits of Mystery Shopping For Secret Shoppers

Mystery shoppers are people who are hired to scrutinize employees,... Read More

Why Well Produced Career Portfolios Are Replacing CVs

What is a Career Portfolio?The original portfolio used by artists... Read More

Whiners Need Not Apply

Sometime last summer I decided to host a pity party... Read More

Stop Whining and Ask For What You Want!

When you want something, the best way to get it... Read More

Why a Professional Resume?

As a job search tool your Resume is your main... Read More

10 Key Career Success Questions

At some point in every professional or managerial career, there... Read More

Professional Moms: How to Get Ready to Re-Enter the Workforce

Finally! Your youngest is in school and you are ready... Read More

Fear of Being Outsourced? Fight Back

Me, outsourced? Impossible. How could they replace a business-humor columnist?... Read More

Managing Emotions During Career Change and Job Search, Part Two

Half the battle in successfully managing your emotions during a... Read More

How to Become a Real Estate Agent

If you're wondering how to become a real estate agent,... Read More

How to Get the Job You Want in Any Economy... Act Like a Headhunter

Having spent the last few years of my career in... Read More

Looking for Work in All the Wrong Places

The Question: After identifying a potential employer, I get contact... Read More

Alert! An Over-50 Jobseeker Has Just Entered the Building

Interviewing Tips for the Older Job-seeking PopulationA red alert is... Read More

Making Sure You Get a Good Reference

You've had 3 interviews with a potential employer and they've... Read More

2 Job-Search Success Stories

Here are two success stories from my readers who found... Read More

Job Search - Understand Employers

Think like an employerTo be successful in your job search... Read More

How to Think Like a Headhunter to Find Your Dream Job!

In this ever changing world, we need to think out... Read More

Freelance Work: The Changing Face of Employment

The world sure is changing, and if you look at... Read More

No Experience? No Problem!

Are you a new graduate with little or no work... Read More

Youre Fired!

One-day you're minding your own business and your boss comes... Read More

How To Start Your Own House Cleaning Business

If you are thinking about starting your own house cleaning... Read More