Top Do’s and Don’ts When Attending a Career Fair

Around 85% of job positions are filled through networking. A career fair is the perfect networking opportunity, but there are some things you should know before attending.

At least 80% of jobs aren’t advertised. That’s what makes career fairs so important. However, if you’re not doing certain things, you’re hindering your chances of success.

Here are five things you should (and shouldn’t) do at a job fair:

1. Dress Appropriately For The Career Fair

This is one of the most basic career fair tips there are, but it can’t be understated: dress to impress employers.

If you don’t dress professionally, potential employers won’t take you seriously as a job candidate. Make sure your appearance is as professional as it can be.

Don’t come into the career fair in average-looking clothes. Opt for button-up shirts or longer skirts. Dress conservatively to be safe.

Make sure you shower and use cologne, body spray, or perfume to smell nice. Nothing will turn off an employer like bad hygiene.

2. Bring Your Resume

Bring multiple copies of your resume. Make sure your resume has no spelling errors and reads coherently.

Ask friends or colleagues to look over your resume. Their input might help. You can even hire a professional resume writer to help you.

If you’re applying for different types of positions, make a different resume for each type of position.

3. Do Your Research

Part of knowing how to prepare for a career fair involves researching the companies there.

If you go to the career fair equipped with knowledge, you’ll have the edge on how to impress recruiters. When you’re talking to recruiters, mention facts you learned about the company.

Researching companies will also give you a better idea of what to include in your resume.

4. Be Polite

Mind your manners to the max. It’ll help you make positive impressions on recruiters and employers.

Don’t say anything negative about your previous employers, college, or colleagues, even if you had a bad experience with them. It will only bring negativity into the picture.

Curb all of your bad habits such as rocking back and forth, playing with your hair, acting distracted, and anything else that will detract from your professional demeanor.

Never walk up to a booth and interrupt a recruiter’s conversation. When talking to a recruiter, don’t ask too many questions or monopolize their time. Wait your turn to speak and be respectful of other people’s time.

You can ask questions about the hiring process, but don’t ask questions about benefits, salaries, vacation time, etc.

5. Have an Elevator Pitch Ready

An elevator pitch is a persuasive pitch you can repeat to recruiters and professionals. The pitch’s purpose is to spark interest in you as a job candidate.

Focus on the talents and skills you can offer employers. Mention your degrees, licenses, and certifications if you have any.

Write down your pitch and edit it carefully. Make sure it’s concise and without inconsistencies.

Be prepared to talk about your skills and accomplishments after the pitch.

Land Your Dream Job

Unhappy employees outnumber happy ones by 2:1 across the globe. Become a happy employee with the help of a career fair.

Explore your options and find a career fair near you. You won’t regret it.