5 Job Fair Tips
1: Think about your goals
Are you looking for a summer job or internship? A job for after you graduate? Or are you hoping to just check things out and see what options you have?
It’s helpful to think through it and to have an answer ready in case someone asks. That way, they can help you get to the right place at the fair.
If you’re just starting this process and trying to figure out what job might be a good fit for you, the education or training you might need for different careers, or resources to help in your job or education search, you can check out MyFutureVT.
MyFutureVT has career assessments that can help you learn about what jobs might be a good fit for your interests and personality. It also has advice on creating resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, and more.
2: Do your research ahead of time
Check out the job fair link for more information about the employers who will be attending, and what positions they’re hiring for. Some job fairs have hundreds of employers, so it’s good to have a game-plan to make sure you get a chance to visit the companies who are at the top of your list.
As you’re researching, it can be helpful to Google companies to learn more about who they are and what they do. That way even if you don’t recognize the name of an organization, you can get a sense of them and make sure you aren’t passing over a job that could be a really good fit for you.
3: Take notes
Use a notebook to keep a list of the organizations you want to meet with, and bring that notebook with you to the fair. You can also prepare a few questions that you can ask the employer, and write them down.
You can ask them what skills, education, and experience they look for in candidates, and what a typical day is like.
Bringing questions and notes with you isn’t cheating: It shows the employer that you took the time to prepare. You can also take notes while you’re talking to the representative at the fair. Taking notes shows the employer that you learned something important, and that you care about what they’re sharing with you.
You can also write down their contact information so that you can get in touch with them later, or you can ask for their business card.
4: Wrap up the conversation
Once you’ve gotten the information you’ve needed and are done speaking with the employer, you can simply say, “This has been helpful. Thanks for being here. It was nice to meet you.”
5: Follow up
Follow up with an email to thank the organizations you’re interested in. This is where you’ll use those business
cards and emails that you collected during your conversations. If someone suggested that you take the next step toward getting a job with them, go for it!
