The document provides tips for successfully navigating a career fair, including preparing business cards and a 30-second "pitch", researching target employers, asking relevant questions to recruiters, following up with thank you notes, and understanding that the primary purpose is networking rather than immediately finding a job. Common mistakes to avoid are lacking professionalism, being unprepared, failing to follow up, and only viewing the event as a way to apply for posted jobs rather than make connections.

1. Navigating a Career Fair
Frank Alaniz
Missouri Workforce Regional Liaison

2. Copies of Workshop Info
Information for our Workshops can be
found at:
www.slideshare.net/slatemcc

3. #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

4. 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….

5. Business Cards
• Bring Business Cards
– Professionally designed business card is a
must
– Resumes are your second choice
• Ask the recruiter which they prefer

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Pet Peeves
• Not dressed professionally
• Not prepared for the event
• No research completed for targeted
companies
• No follow-up

17. 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!”

18. 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!

19. Questions
Frank Alaniz
Missouri Workforce Regional Liaison
SLATE Missouri Career Centers
www.linkedin.com/in/frankalaniz
frank.alaniz@ded.mo.gov

20. Links
SLATE Missouri Career Centers
www.stlworks.com
www.slideshare.net/slatemcc
www.facebook.com/slatemcc
www.showmeheroes.mo.gov
LinkedIn Groups
St Louis Job Angels
Missouri Web Portal
www.MissouriCareerSource.com
Go! Network
www.gonetworkstl.com
Military Job Portals
www.H2H.jobs
www.uschamber.com/hiringourheroes