Friday, February 20, 2009

Job Fairs

Lists of Job Fairs:

Want to meet tons of employers and apply for multiple jobs as quickly as possible? Well, then you should consider attending a job fair. Job fairs are offered year-round across the country and around the world. You can even "attend" online career fairs at certain sites.

Job fairs are usually centered around a particular career field or location. Both of these formats can be useful to you. The first type is best if you know what you want to do and don't care where you do it. The second is better if you're committed to living in a paritcular city or state. To make the most of your job search, you will probably want to attend both kinds of fairs.

You can find out about job fairs by checking the list of links above, searching online, reading your local paper, or checking college websites. Keep in mind, some schools only open their fairs to their own students. However, many college fairs will admit students from other schools and/or the general public.

Before you attend a job fair, though, it is useful to do some research. First, figure out what companies / organizations will be represented at the event. The last thing you want to do is show up and find nothing of interest. Second, see if those employers have listed the jobs they are recruiting for. This is helpful to tailor your resume and portfolio prior to applying.

You should also find out about any registration requitements for the job fair. Many events are open to the public, but some require job seekers to sign up in advance. Additionally, some fairs may charge an entrance fee, while some may have specific identification requirements to attend. Make sure you bring everything you need to get through the door smoothly.

Once you arrive at the job fair, you'll want to make the most of every opportunity. I've listed a few tips below, but for a more comprehensive explanation of job fairs, you should check out this site.

  • Dress for success. Remember, first impressions are lasting impressions.
  • Come prepared with a stunning resume.
  • Bring a list of references with contact information.
  • Research employers and be prepared with questions and comments.
  • Take time to talk to recruiters instead of just dropping off a resume and leaving.
  • Follow up after the job fair with a thank you letter.

2 comments:

  1. Another place students can take a look at is http://www.nuresume.com where they can build their professional identity through creating their free online resumes, posting jobs wanted ads, network with students, employers, and career centers alike.

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  2. Thanks for the awesome site! I'm joining right now :)

    ReplyDelete