Job Fairs: Are You Getting the Most Out of Them?

One of the most time-tested employment resources out there is the job fair. With so many tools available to job seekers today, your professional journey shouldn’t hinge entirely on this one, but there are still plenty of ways to use it to your advantage, even in today’s online world!

Their Ideal Function

Job fairs have always been about community. Bringing the professional world together in person, either within a single industry or across multiple ones, is something that has benefitted both employers and employees for decades. Ideally, a job seeker can attend a job fair and use it as a chance to make new contacts, learn the latest about their field, and develop interpersonal skills that will serve them both in the interview process and in their workplace. The best-case scenario, of course, is that those you network with will help lead you to an excellent position at a company that’s right for you.

Realities to Bear in Mind

As essential as job fairs can be to a job search, with every resource comes a number of important catches. For instance, it’s a mistake to expect that you can walk out with a new job, or even any certainty of landing one. It’s essential to bear in mind that each representative you speak to will be interacting with dozens, possibly hundreds of other candidates. This means you really need to stand out. Some companies may not even be actively searching for a specific candidate to fill a position. This doesn’t mean you should rule them out, especially if you feel that you’d really fit with their company culture. It’s not just about certainties, it’s also about possibilities.

Making Them Work for You

We’ve mentioned the importance of standing out, but that’s not all you need to consider. One of the most critical ingredients is preparation. If things go as well as they possibly can and you strike up great chemistry with a representative, you may be offered the chance to schedule an interview. Know your availability ahead of time so that you can get that appointment landed without a hitch. If you know who is going to be there, do as much research as you can on those companies so that they know you truly care about being a part of their culture. The more proactive you are, the smoother your job fair experience will go!

No job search has a guarantee of success if you only rely on one resource or another. Having the initiative to utilize what’s available to you isn’t just useful when you’re seeking employment, it’s useful throughout your career! Give the Summit Search job portal a try today.

*If you experience trouble submitting your resume' here, please email the recruiter directly, you can find the recruiter's email address next to photo of the recruiter above, or contact your our local office.