4. #1 Mistake
• Bad Breath
– Careful not to drink Coffee
– Don’t Smoke
– Watch what you eat
• It’s best to always use a strong mints
before the entering the fair
5. Navigating a Career Fair
• Career Fairs are not about Jobs they are
about
• These events are not about YOU and JOBS! They are
about networking with companies that you would
like to work for
– The Job Referral was just a Bonus to the event and means
that you did everything right to warrant that referral….
6. Business Cards
• Bring Business Cards
– Professionally designed business card is a
must
– Resumes are your second choice
• Ask the recruiter which they prefer
7. Portfolio
• Clean Tablet with a list of questions
– Take good notes for follow-up
– Remove the page when you’ve completed
the interview with each recruiter
– Have your resumes in a separate folder
inside your portfolio
8. 30 Second Sale Pitch
• Re-develop your 3 minute elevator pitch
to less 30 second pitch
– Remember the three “E’s”
• Experience, Expertise and Excellence
– You'll need to be able to quickly, clearly, and
concisely explain your background and how you
might fit in
– Don’t memorize this sales pitch as each company is
unique so you want to highlight different skills for
each company
9. What to do When you First Arrive
• Smiling is required
– Start with the gatekeepers and others in
queue waiting to enter the event
– A recent study indicated that smiling faces
were easier to remember
• Obtain a floor plan of the event
• Locate your targeted employers
10. Relax
• Walk the room first if needed to relax and
get the feel of how the recruiters are
working their stations
• Questions not to ask
– Are you hiring
– Salaries
– What kind of jobs do you have
11. Listen
• Listen to what questions are being ask of
the recruiter by other candidates
– Try not to ask the same question others have
asked
– If you did not hear the answer then indicate
so and rephrase the question
• Listen to what the recruiters are asking the
other candidates; these same questions
may be asked of you
12. Meeting the Recruiter
• The amount of time you will have with
the recruiter can vary from mere
seconds to minutes.
• Take notes if possible and offer your
business card or resume.
– When finished networking with the
recruiter take a minute or two before
moving to the next booth to recap your
conversation
13. Meeting the Recruiter
• Don’t be offended if the recruiter tells
you that they don’t need your resume
and to apply on line for positions
• If you have time ask if there are any
suggested tips for completing their ATS
process
14. Before you Leave
• Ask, "What is the next step?"
• Request the recruiter's business card for
future correspondence
• In closing, shake hands and thank them
for their time
• Move away and finalize your notes
15. Follow-Up!
• Thank you note!
– 2-3 days after the event send a thank you
note (email) to the recruiter thanking them
for their time and recap your conversation
(Why your notes are so important)
– Attached a PDF version of your resume
16. Pet Peeves
• Too much cologne or perfume
• Weak or sloppy handshake
• Walking from booth to booth picking up
swag
– Even worse walking up to a recruiter with a
bag full of stuff and then fumbling for
resume/business card stuck in the bag of
nickel toys and pens from all other vendors
17. Pet Peeves
• Not dressed professionally
• Not prepared for the event
• No research completed for targeted
companies
• No follow-up
18. My Personal #1 Pet Peeve
• Leaving the event complaining that there
were “NO JOBS” and all the recruiters
told you to go online and apply for their
positions!
– With the follow up statement of …“I could
have stayed home and done that!”
19. Jobs and Career Fairs
• Remember these events are not all
about YOU and JOBS! This is about
networking with companies that you
would like to work for!