Career fairs can be the perfect occasions to network with recruiters who could help you land an interview. Don't waste your chance to make a good impression.
Follow these tips and put your best foot forward:
1. Know what type of job you want. Don't attend a career fair without knowing what type of job you want to land. Most fair organizers publish company participant lists in advance. Investigate those organizations' needs and how they match with your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. What problems do they have that you can solve? How can you contribute? Plan to be able to articulate the match between their needs and what you can offer.
2. Be able to introduce yourself to potential employers. This isn't as easy as it might seem. Most job seekers fail to have a succinct, clear, and direct answer to the inevitable question, "Can you tell me about yourself?" Don't forget: Your answer must articulate how your skills, accomplishments, and experiences directly relate to the type of job you want to land at the organization. Focus on your greatest job search strength and make a clear bridge between what you offer and what the employer seeks.
3. Know about the company. There's nothing more appealing to an employer than prospective hires who actually know something about their organization. It's so easy to find information online; spend time researching the organization if you plan to speak to its recruiters. Do your due diligence. Know what the company values, their competitors, and what type of person would thrive working there.
4. Have some good questions to ask. Once you know the basics, it's easy to draft several inquiries to make you look smart, informed, and on target. Has the company recently had some positive press? Comment on it! Make a point to let the recruiter know you've done your homework. Ask intelligent questions to...