Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Should I Attend A Job Fair?

I recently asked a group of Job Seekers at a career workshop that I was giving there opinion of Job Fairs. My question was raised to get their feedback and to see if anyone had something positive to say. The feedback I received was that Job Fairs are chaotic, a waste of time, and a place to get recruited by insurance companies.

No one in that group offered me the benefits of attending a Job Fair.  So I will now present the benefits of attending a Job Fair and the approach you should take to guarantee it will be a worthwhile investment of your time. 

Firstly, you want to get a list of the companies who are going to be at the Job Fair.  After you obtain that list you should research the companies that interest you so that you are prepared to speak with representatives from those companies.

Secondly, if you haven't gone on an interview in a while a Job Fair is a great place to practice your interview skills. The skills that you want to focus on are giving a firm handshake, making eye contact with the company representative, and demonstrating your value.

Next, you should use the Job Fair as an opportunity to gain information. Speak with company representatives and find out about job opportunities. Pick the brain of a recruiter or company representative and ask them what their ideal candidate looks like.  Network with other job seekers and ask them what they are doing in the quest to find employment. 

Lastly, I would recommend that all Job Seekers attend at least one Job Fair as they search for employment. You have to approach the Job Fair with a positive attitude.  You may not get hired right away, but you may find a lead that helps you land the job of your dreams!

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