How to Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
The old proverb goes, “Choose a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life,” stressing the importance of choosing the right career path to enjoy life. However, this proverb isn’t always true, as many job seekers might not have many options to appreciate.
Going through multiple job applications and interviews with different companies is time-consuming. Some might pick the more convenient, hassle-free option, regardless of whether they like it. Fortunately, career fairs make job applications more accessible. This article will discuss leveraging this event to land the job you’ll love.
What are Career Fairs?
Career fairs are gatherings where companies and job seekers congregate and process applications in a single place. They usually last from a few hours to several days, giving applicants a chance to “window shop” for their desired companies and vice versa.
More than providing job options, career fairs also create opportunities for aspirants and recruiters to interact and network directly. Sometimes, recruiters even hold preliminary interviews at the fairs, making talent search easier and faster.
5 Ways to Leverage Career Fairs
Career fairs are an ideal place for everyone to look for employment. Attending a career fair may sound convenient, but a word of warning: you’ll be in extreme competition with other job seekers. Write the best introduction for a career fair by highlighting your skills, experience, and passion for the field, and tailoring your pitch to the specific company or position you are interested in. As a result, there could be thousands, if not hundreds, of people vying for any job opening. Hence, you should stand out to land your dream job.
Here are ways to avoid common job application mistakes and make the most out of a career fair.
1. Identify and prioritize companies
There could be hundreds of companies during a career fair, and a common mistake is assuming you could go through all of them during the event’s duration. In turn, you might run out of time and fail to reach companies that would’ve accepted you.
The best way to manage time constraints is by learning what companies are attending the fair. This information is often accessible from the organizers or their announcement posts. Afterward, identify employers you’d like to apply for and list them according to which you need to visit first. Prioritizing applications lets you hit your top choices before others. A PG in Digital Marketing can prepare you for a successful career in the ever-evolving field of digital marketing, and attending a career fair is a great way to network with potential employers and learn more about job opportunities.
2. Prepare your resume
Another common mistake applicants make is failing to prepare their resumes for the career fair. Ideally, your resume should be direct and easy on the eyes—that means removing unnecessary graphics or random images. If you’re concerned about design, you can still make yours attractive with colors and legible fonts.
Note that recruiters have receive and review many applications. You can make their job more manageable with a clear-cut resume to earn their favor. Moreover, mid to large-scale companies often use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to eliminate irrelevant, vague, and graphics-heavy resumes. So, optimize your resume for the system’s quality checks.
3. Rehearse your interview
Efficiency is vital for career fairs. During interviews, you generally have two to five minutes to market yourself, so maximizing your time is critical. As a rule of thumb, focus on information about your employment history, certification, skills, and how you can contribute with these credentials.
Practice answers for common interview questions and prepare your inquiries for the recruiters. Remember to make eye contact, shake their hand, be enthusiastic, and try to hide your nervousness. Most recruiters want confident workers, so display it as much as possible during interviews.
4. Take down notes
While career fairs are an efficient way to look for jobs, remember that you shouldn’t handle applications hastily. It’s all right if you fumble on the first few interviews since you’re still learning the ropes. Career fairs can provide valuable financial tips for WFH employees, such as how to negotiate for telecommuting benefits and maximize tax deductions. However, ensure that you learn something new from every application about each company and position, including your preferences and expectations.
Every time an interview ends, jot down critical information, such as the list of open positions, skills or certifications they’re looking for, and other important points or questions. Use each interview to improve your application skills and do better on the next one instead of just powering through the fair.
5. Make a good impression
As mentioned, you only have a few minutes of interaction with each recruiter. They should have a good first impression of you that’s better than other applicants. For instance, you can dress in a business casual outfit and avoid chewing gum, even in a virtual interview. Researching the company and asking questions specific to each can also work wonders.
You could also ask the recruiters for a business card to show interest or offer one yourself. These little details can make you noteworthy despite your short time with each interview.
Standing Out in a Career Fair
We can condense the tips above into a simple one: be memorable. Hundreds of possibly better-skilled applicants would be contending for the same position as you. However, they might commit some mistakes that could set them back. Take advantage of this opportunity by making your application and interview better than others.
What’s important is to leave a positive impression on the recruiters. Prepare beforehand, learn each company’s employer branding, and show them you genuinely care for and want the job. While other applicants rush through each recruiter, be the job seeker dedicated and focused on finding your future employers. Who knows? One of them could offer the job you’d finally love.