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How to Work a Job Fair

(reposted from an original article at www.shalomdc.org)

Is going to a job fair really going to help me? How can I get the most out of it?

Job fairs are great events for networking! They are events where employers are looking to meet potential employees. You have an opportunity to make an impression on an employer that will get you noticed. To get the most out of a job fair, you should be prepared to talk confidently about your skills and how they could meet the needs of each employer you talk to. You want to stand out to employers based on the value your skills could offer their company.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of a job fair:

• Research. Make a list of the organizations that interest you so that you have a chance to meet with all of them. Not only should you know whom you want to talk to, but you should also know something about the company. Why do you want to work for them? If you don't know, they won't know either.
• Prepare a one-minute introduction of yourself and your skills (the commercial). This is a 60-second introduction, which should include your name, your skills and why you are interested in this company.
• Make a Good Impression. Dress like a professional. Shake the recruiter's hand and offer your resume. Make good eye contact while giving your commercial. Be sure to ask the recruiter for a business card
• Send a Thank You. This is why you must get a business card. Send a thank you letter within 24 hours of the job fair. Your thank you should be brief and should include something new you learned about the company or an additional point about why your qualifications stand out. About 2 weeks later, follow up with a phone call reminding them that you met them at the fair and would like to answer any other questions they may have about your qualifications.