Six Tips on How to Make the Most of a Job Fair
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How to Work a Job Fair
In September 2010, I went to a job search maximizer (aka a job fair) hosted by Best Jobs Magazine. Before being allowed to enter the exhibitor hall, the owner of Best Job Magazines offered some valuable tips on how to work a job fair in order to get the most out of a job fair. He shared six tips including
- Don't go to a job fair to browse only;
- Make a positive impression - make a friend;
- Be aware of hidden jobs - every company has them;
- Refrain from pre-judging jobs;
- Talk about the job, not the pay;
- Turn on your levels of certainty.
Don't Go to a Job Fair to Browse
Don't go to a job fair to browse only was the first tip given for working a job fair by the expert from Best Jobs Magazine. From his observation, many job seekers go to job search events with low expectations and browse as if window shopping at the mall.
Enter the Event to Make an Impression (Make a Friend)
Enter the job search event to make an impression is the second tip for how to work a job fair. Put on your most charming face and approach each job exhibitor with the purpose of making a friend.
Be Aware of Hidden Jobs - Every Company Has Them
A third tip offered by the expert from Best Jobs Magazine was to go into the exhibit hall aware of hidden jobs. Hidden jobs are positions that potential employers do not advertise at the job fair and according to the Best Jobs Magazine every company has them. Make the right impression and a company working the job fair might make a position for you.
Refrain from Pre-Judging Jobs
When working the exhibitor floor refrain from pre-judging jobs was the fourth tip given for successfully working a job fair. According to the Best Jobs Magazine expert, the best way to work a career search event is to enthusiastically approach every table with the expectation of finding a satisfying career.
Don't Talk about What is Most on Your Mind (Pay)
A fifth tip for how to make the most out of a job fair is to not talk about what is most on your mind which is pay and benefits. Instead, talk about the company and the open positions in order to determine of the job is a good fit for your particular talents and passions.
Turn on Your Levels of Certainty
The sixth tip for how to make the most out of a job fair is to turn on your levels of certainty. This means to believe in your heart that you will find your dream job. Even if the dream job is not offered at that particular job search event, your attitude will be up and your face will exude a confidence that will attract employers to you.
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Pamela99 - I appreciate your encouragement and support.
I think this advice is about 75% crock. In large part it's for Best Jobs Magazine's own benefit: if too few attendees visit the employers' tables the employers won't come back. I attended one of the magazine's fairs, which turned out to consist of nine tables--count 'em, nine. Every company there had one--count it, one--job available, and no openings for any of the kinds of work I do (for instance, office work). Those supposed hidden jobs are a fantasy. Moreover, the people at those tables were obviously not the people who do the hiring but flunkies who had drawn the short straw. The briefing got me pumped up and I marched up to the first table with all the recommended charm and enthusiasm--and before I even reached the table the woman gave me a once-over and walked away. Almost the identical thing happened at the next table. And that business about refraining from prejudging jobs means ignoring the knowledge gained from prior job seeking. Banks, finance companies, hospitals, etc., etc. won't even look at applicants without experience in the field: THEY DON'T HAVE TO. They get hundreds of applicants WITH experience. Another fantasy. At the fair I attended, the advice at the mandatory briefing was that in order to get a job the applicant has to network with personnel managers; and it was promised that at a later session the same speaker (I guess) would tell us how to do that. The Magical Schnorrer. Since I can't even network with the personnel managers I know, I strongly suspect that the networking secret involves a payment to the magazine--the one element of their events that is NOT a fantasy.
nonbestjobs, thank you for sharing your frustration. I am sorry you had such a bad experience. I do not know how long you have been out of work, but I hope you find a suitable position soon.
Hello nonbestjobs;
Thank you for your post. A career fair is a place to network and let others in your community know about the type of positions you are skilled to secure. A single event is not the silver bullet. It is merely just another event to continue the process of networking. I am sorry your experience was as described. I invite you to meet with our coaches at an event and speak about your background. We are there to help guide your efforts.
The networking sessions presented are Free. There is no fee associated with our sessions. We also host a session called the How seminar. That too is Free. The seminar you attended called the Maximizer is also Free. The Get Back to Work Now events are hosted to help our communities network. We do not ask job seeker to buy anything at these events. Best of luck to you.
Thank you, Fred for joining in the conversation and reaching out to nonbestjobs. I appreciated my own experience at the Maximizers and hope others who need help finding gainful employment will seek out the services of Best Jobs Magazine.
Pamela99 Level 7 Commenter 19 months ago
Great tips is you want to be successful at a job fair.