Job Fairs – To Go, or Not To Go?
Posted on Mon, Jul 12, 2010
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If you've pulled out all the stops in your job search, it's likely you have been trying to attend a job fair in your local community. But it is pretty daunting. You are in a small room with lots and lots of other candidates, all trying to make an impression with the recruiter. So why not plan ahead to set yourself apart when you head to your next job fair? The extra time you take up front might just lead to a great first round interview a few weeks later.
Review the Company List. Don’t just look through the list trying to find the company that you think will pay the most. I would always recommend that you really research each company coming to the fair and plan ahead to see if that organization is hiring anyone with your experience. If they aren’t looking for someone with your Organization Development background, then maybe you can skip that table. Or, maybe you want to still drop off a resume, but then you better be able to tell that recruiter why they need to keep your resume on file for that one position that they might have open a year from now. Be strategic when you are planning your stops.
Create a unique resume for each opening you see. It takes a ton of time and lots of paper, but you should take the time to customize your resume to the job you are applying for – just like if you were applying online. You are making an impression right now! Be prepared and it will show to the recruiter at the desk.
Decide if you should go. Did you review all 50 companies going to the job fair next week and only see one job for you? Maybe you are better off saving that 6 hours to go down to the convention center, stand in line, stand in line at the desk, and then get 3 minutes or less with a recruiter. Do you know another way to reach that organization that might be more time effective? I think about my time as if I were paying my salary – should I spend the money on myself to go and do this? Is my time better spent on a more promising area of my job search?
Have you been to a job fair here in Boston? Any job fairs that you have found particularly good? What are some of the tips that have been helpful to you as you attend job fairs in the area?
For other tips on hitting a local job fair, I’ve found these resources helpful:
Job Fair Success
Top 10 Tips for Attending a Job Fair
About the author: Kristine Dunn is part of MassBayODLG
About the author: Kristine Dunn is part of MassBayODLG