Success at the Job Fair

The Job Fair

I’ll get back to discussing résumés next week. While it’s fresh in my memory I want to talk about Job Fairs. Earlier this week I attended perhaps the best and most professionally organized and run job fair I have been invited to as an employer; from both a hiring organization’s perspective and from the viewpoint of a job seeker due to the quality and number of companies and agencies in attendance.

On Monday, the Akwesasne Employment Resource Center held its second annual International Job Fair aimed at job seekers in Ontario and New York State. Invited was a wide range of employers from both sides of the border, representing a large number of industries. From the Correctional Service of Canada and Foreign Affairs to the Mohawk Akwesasne Casino and the Bank of Montreal there was something for everyone. There were even resources onsite to help job seekers with interview tips and résumé printing.  Each attendee was provided with a welcome package that included a job seeker handbook that listed the companies in attendance as well as a Résumé and Interview Preparation guide. All in all it was a fantastic event and I look forward to being invited back next year.

Looking at what the Resource Center organized and how the event was marketed I realized that each job seeking attendee was given a wealth of information and resources to help them. Taking from this event, here are a few things you might want to consider when next attending a Job Fair.

The Resource Center created a web page detailing the event and the companies that would be participating. A lot of events do. This is a fabulous tool for research and preparation. If an event does not have a listing of which companies will be in attendance; call the organizer and ask. Knowing in advance who you want to target will let you more efficiently organize your preparation and how you want to spend the day of the event. You’ll be able to come up with some great questions, fine tune your résumé for companies you are specifically interested in and plan your day so you can spend sufficient time at the booths of the employers you really want to talk to.

Call or email ahead. If the event’s web page gives the names of who will be representing each company and their contact details, drop them an email saying you are looking forward to seeing them and ask if they would mind spending a few minutes with you. This will definitely show you are interested.

As mentioned above knowing who will be there will allow you to target your résumé. You might even want to have a couple of versions of your résumé aimed at specific employers highlighting the skill sets and experience you have relevant to their particular fields.

The job seekers that stood at out the most on Monday were those that clearly came prepared and gave the impression they were serious about finding a job. They came armed with copies of résumés and in some cases reference letters. Many were indeed dressed to impress. Definitely dress for the job you want. At the very least business casual (with more of a lean towards business) will serve you well. Be prepared for an on the spot interview. This will be the first time prospective employers are meeting you and they will make up their minds very quickly whether or not you will be a good ‘fit’ for their organization.

In short, be prepared. Do your research, learn about the organizations in attendance and determine who you want to talk to. If you want to go a little further, send thank you emails afterwards to the company representatives you met (be sure to get their business cards) and attach another copy of your résumé. Stay fresh in their minds.

Job Fairs offer great experience. If you don’t land the job you are looking for (or even if you are currently employed) you will gain valuable interview experience and you’ll stay current on what employers are looking for. Sign up for as many as you can. Be sure to attend next year’s Akwesasne International Job Fair. If this year’s event is anything to go by, 2013’s will be one you don’t want to miss.