Getting Ready for a Job Fair

Job fairs are a great opportunity for you to meet a large number of employers in a short amount of time. It’s also your chance impress prospective employers and set yourself apart from other job seekers. Job fairs offer the chance to network with employers in your career field, learn more about new fields, and enhance your chances of landing an interview.

Here are some steps on how to prepare for your next job fair:

1. Get a list of participating employers before the job fair. Research the companies you are interested in and learn as much as you can about them. Show them that you have done your homework and taken the time to learn about them when you meet them at the job fair. This will also allow you to better inform them about how you can benefit their company.

2. Prepare several different versions of your resume-each tailored to specific employers or types of jobs. Make sure your resume highlights the education, skills, and employment experience that is most relevant.

3. Proofread your resume for grammar and spelling mistakes. Have someone else look at your resume too, sometimes you can overlook your own mistakes. Remember, the Larimer County Workforce Center offers individualized appointment and an Employment Specialist can review your resume.

4. Prepare questions you want to ask employers. It’s very common to have an informal interview at a job fair be prepared by having questions to ask the prospective employer. It will show them that you’ve done your homework and that you’re genuinely interested in their company.

5. Allow yourself plenty of time at the job fair. Identify the employers you want to see and move to other companies on your list if you see long lines at a particular booth, and then go back after the lines have gone down.

6. Rehearse an “elevator speech” or a short personal introduction that demonstrates your skills and makes a great first impression in a short amount of time. Again, tailor it to the companies on your list, including specific information about the company and why you are interested in the company, and why you think you would fit in at that particular company.

7. Dress for success! Be courteous and polite with everyone you meet. Keep your resumes in a professional looking folder that has an area for you to store business cards.

8. Follow-up with each employer you meet at the job fair and wait for the interview offers roll in!