Jengo's Job Search Tips

Tip #5: How to get the most out of a job fair

The CareerFest 2006 job fair is coming soon, and you have made the wise decision to attend. Dozens of major employers in one location is a good thing! You've got 20 copies of your resume, you've practiced your handshake, and your interview outfit is pressed. Now what? Here are a few pointers gleaned from recruiters who attend career fairs.

Take time before the career fair to find out which companies will be represented there. Check out the website and pick up an employer booklet in the Career Center. Nothing ticks off an employer more than a student who approaches them at their table and says, "So, tell me about your company." It's okay to ask pertinent questions, but don't expect the recruiters to do the work for you.
Have a game plan and focus on no more than three companies you are truly interested in. Gather all the giveaways first, and then focus on the companies you've chosen. Do a little research so that you have an intelligent comment or question about the company you are approaching. When you engage a recruiter in intelligent dialogue, you stand out. You have limited time at the career fair, so use it wisely.
Prepare a two- to three-line script to introduce yourself. You should try to impress recruiters within the first few minutes of conversation. Maintain good eye contact and offer a firm handshake and a few sentences telling them what they want to know. That's the formula that works. The next Jengo Says will give you more details about preparing this script.
Don't ask the recruiter personal questions, focus on the company. Such personal questions sound frivolous.
When you give a recruiter your resume, ask what the next step in the process is. Recruiters worth their weight will be able to tell you. Still, don't be surprised if recruiters don't hand out their personal business cards.