Explore Your Options With a Job Fair

Whether you've left your job, lost it to "restructuring," or are looking for the first time or for a career change, a great place to start is with a job fair. Job fairs offer applicants the opportunity to see what companies are hiring and talk face to face with recruiters from potential employers.

Job fairs, or Career Expos are held nationwide for all different fields.  Some are highly specialized toward a specific industry, such as an IT jobs fair or a Healthcare career expo, whereas others are held to promote local job openings or for companies who are specifically looking to recruit for diversity.  If you are looking for teacher jobs, an education job fair would be the best place to start.  For ideas on a new career path you may want to look into a more general recruitment fair that would offer a more diverse selection of job opportunities. Even Uncle Sam holds job fairs to fill positions for government jobs.  No matter what field you are looking to get into, there is a job fair to connect you with the right employer.

A few things to remember when setting out for your appearance at a career fair:

• Dress professionally, as if you were headed for a job interview.  You never know, the person who makes the hiring decisions might be there, and if you play your cards right you might be offered a position on the spot.

• Bring several copies of your resume.  Also bring your portfolio (if applicable) to show samples of previous work.  If you have samples to leave with your resume, even better.  The more that will make your application stand out above the rest, the better.

• Ask questions.  This way you open a dialogue with the recruiter, and you also find out if the career opportunity with their company is right for you.  It helps to have your list of questions for potential employers prepared before you head out for a job fair.

• Take a notepad and pen.  You'll be talking with many people, and you'll want to take notes for later reference.  Jot down the names of the people you talk to, the openings they have available, etc.

• Most importantly, you must be outgoing and friendly.  Approach the tables at the job fair with confidence and a smile, this is your chance to make a good first impression.