Going to a career fair

Job fairs can be really superb chances to get to know about prevailing job markets and interacting with people from establishments out to recruit men and women. But before you decide to attend one, you should do your homework well to create that excellent impression. After all, the first impression does matter.

Here are some guidelines that will help you gather vital information, establish contacts and send upbeat signals to recruiters at job fairs:

·   Research data:  Prior to attending a job fair, you should try and gather as much information about those sponsoring or coordinating the event; internet is perhaps the best tool for the same. You will get to know the participating companies and by visiting their web sites, you will be better informed and better armed. Scan those that appeal to you in detail and learn about their plans and lineups as also people working in them who you possibly are acquainted with. If you make notes, you will be able to raise judicious queries with the staff manning the booths.

·   Prioritize companies:   Having got to know details of participating companies, you could well identify those amongst them that interest you. Make it a point to visit their stalls; this will help you to not wile away your precious time and remain on the ball. It will manifest your self-assurance and cool, besides indicating that you know what you seek. In case you simply saunter around the venue, you will be discerned as one sans any comprehension. A point to note is that you should not carry your resumes in bulk with you but only a few intended for some preferred companies to whom you intend applying. The resumes should be apt and pertinent to the posts that you aspire for, else they will gather dust.

·   Avoid bragging:  If you portray an ‘I know everything’ attitude and display an undue confidence about your expertise, your reliability rating will take a beating. Companies invariably want to recruit knowledgeable and proficient people who will fit well in their team and make useful contributions. You should be positive in your outlook and display true enthusiasm to create a good impact. Whatever you are briefed about should be listened attentively and genuine doubts clarified. Simple attendance with no participation also sends wrong signals. The crux of the point is that you need to be positive, enthusiastic and interested during your presence at any booth.

·   Be truthful:  At a stall, a company agent could well seek to know your career inclinations. Your response should be deliberate and given with due contemplation. It is likely that you may not have decided on your career objectives, but definitely your interests can be spelt out. You should be weighing up your principles and impelling factors and based on them, express your views in a matter-of-fact and polite manner. Remember that rarely will one be recruited at a fair; the aim of organizers always is publicity and dissemination of information. Of course, hiring is also an agenda, for which, a truthful approach will pay dividends.

·   Manage time:  You may not be only person around at the career fair or at a particular stall. There will be others like you who will have to be attended to. Therefore, hanging around at a particular stall is not recommended. Company representatives have several issues to deal and perhaps will not be in a position to devote more than some time to each candidate. It is the usefulness derived from those few minutes that matters, so your stay should be brief and your conversation concise.

·   Attend listings:   There could be audio-visual presentations, panel discussions and special briefings on general subjects like tips on drafting resumes, interview processes or presentation skill. These would be dovetailed into the daily schedule and listed in brochures. Attending these programmes on the sidelines of the career fair will help you in your job hunt and also strengthen your networking through a focused approach.

·   Remember people:   At a booth, company agents may or may not wear name tabs. Some perhaps may introduce themselves, however, there is nothing wrong in requesting for the same. You can even request for a business card, but it is important to make a brief note on it to facilitate that the name does not slip out of your mind subsequently. Before leaving a booth, make certain that you thank the company representative by his name. Subsequently, but not later than one day, a thank you email should be sent; should you have any elucidations to seek, the same could be sought in the email. Remember that by doing do, you are initiating a contact link which will in some way or the other serve to canvass your case.

·   Interact with equals:   It is not that company agents are the only well-informed people at a career fair. There are many others like you and hailing from diverse denominations with plethora of experience to their credit. You must interact them and make friends with them because in the long run some amongst them could prove to be of immense help in your hunt. An important point to note is that all conversations have to be courteous; butting in will imply shrinking from propriety.

It should be remembered that establishment of ties and networking are important factors for consideration for any job hunter. If recruiters leave the venue remembering your name, there is every possibility that you too will spare no effort to maintain contacts with them.

Mere attendance at a career fair is not enough. You need to be well-informed about companies and organizations so that you can talk sensibly and not grope in the dark. And when you talk about yourself, make certain that you maintain your self-confidence and do not deviate from established norms of modesty. If you follow the above tips, your presence will be notable; what will follow will be in your favour.