Tips for Success at a Job Fair

Job fairs can benefit job seekers by giving them opportunity to explore different job options and make connections in their industry. Job seekers also have the advantage of meeting directly with hiring managers and recruiters from a variety of companies. How can you make a good impression and stand out from other candidates? There are many tips you can follow to help you feel confident and make a great first impression. Use the tips below to wow the crowd at your next job fair.

Do Your Research 

Research the companies that will be in attendance presenting their job openings at the fair. Plan which ones you will visit and even target a resume just for them if you can. Use sites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed to learn about the company’s culture, pay, and overall goals. With so much business information on the Internet, there's no reason not to do your homework.

Dress for Success

Your clothing does not need to be expensive!

  • Wear neat, clean and well fitted clothes. A white shirt with a well-fitted blazer and basic black or navy pants is generally a safe bet. You’ll also want to be well-groomed with minimal jewelry and cologne/perfume.

  • Stick to basic colors and patterns to help interviewer focus on you and not your clothes. 

  • Dress as you would for the job you hope to get! This could mean dressing in business attire or something more casual.

Resumes for Everyone!  

  • Update your general resume. It should be short, concise, and easily read within one minute by a prospective employer.

  • Develop tailored resumes for each prospective employer that targets a set of keywords and phrases that each organization emphasizes.

  • Make sure your resume is memorable but professional. Don’t use pictures, graphics, colored paper, funky fonts, etc. They don’t leave a positive impression and they aren’t scannable by automated applicant tracking system (ATS). Many employers will scan your resume into an ATS to prescreen you for a position. This could mean that your resume will end up in the reject pile without a fair review.

  • Print copies of your resume on quality resume paper and bring multiple copies to the fair.

practice your pitch

  • You will feel more at ease when you’ve planned a few short sentences to introduce yourself and why you would be an asset to the business. Keep it short and concise. By knowing exactly what you want to say you will automatically feel more confident! Write down a few notes and practice, practice, practice.

  • Also remember the 3 keys to all interviews: make eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and show enthusiasm.

Follow-Up

Follow up is very important! You'd be surprised how few job seekers actually take the time to follow-up after their job fair interviews. So, when you do, you will have an advantage over many others who don't.

  • Write a thank you note and send it within 24 to 48 hours of the job fair to each person that you met with. In the note, thank the employer for their time, and if you are interested in the position, reiterate your interest and qualifications. Also take the time to send personalized emails to each company and recruiter. Keep your message short.

Looking for more? Staff support is more accessible than ever at Frederick County Workforce Services (FCWS), a proud partner of the American Job Center.

Jessica Mills