Strategy for Success at a JOB FAIR

By: Teri Bisceglia, GCDF, CPRW Frederick County Workforce Services

So, you’ve been looking for a new position and thought you might try attending a job fair. Great idea! All those employers in one spot! I can finally talk to a person! Having a strategic plan will help you navigate a job fair with ease and success:

Prep

• Get list of participating employers from event sponsors/venue

• Identify and do some research on employers you’re interested in: find out what they do; their current openings; interesting fact(s) to develop question(s) to ask

• Prioritize employers; create list of ideal companies first (ones to definitely talk to) followed by practical choices, and so on

• Prepare 30-second commercial, “Tell me about yourself and the work you’re interested in doing”

• Create targeted resumés if possible, and be sure to bring enough resumés for all identified employers

• Bring pen and notepad and, if possible, your business cards

• Remember you can never go wrong with clean, neat and odor-free; less is more for accessories including cologne and perfume. Dress for the job you want. And, SMILE!