Yes, a job fair! While you may not think it is an important part of your job search. Think again, you may be overlooking a key networking opportunity.

1. How to Be Your Best
at a

2. Why a Job Fair?
Many will think that a job fair is not
part of an overall job search strategy
because so much of a job search
these days is online.
However, there will be a point in your
job search when you will actually
“talk” to a live person on the phone
and better yet for the interview “talk”
with them in person.
Probably several people – multiple
interviews, panel interviews.
And the one thing that seems to be
missing from our job search skills sets
is how to talk and interact with
others.
A job fair is where you will refresh
your interpersonal skills to enhance
and support your job search.

3. A Job Fair as Part of Your
Overall Job Search
Your job search will have many layers
online and offline; research and
applying; meeting and thanking.
Job Fairs which are relevant to your
industry and career goals are one part
of a job search plan.
As you research the job fair, you hone
your knowledge of the market and
specific employers.
A job fair will also give you an
opportunity to practice your
networking.
A job fair will give you an opportunity
to meet with recruiters in your
industry. They may not have a job for
you now, but good networking means
you will stay in touch.
Who knows what they may have in the
future?

4. Goals for a Job Fair
What do you want to achieve? While
it is great to be single focused,
remember there are many
opportunities open to you when
attending a networking event like a
job fair.
Some goals may be –
•Learn more about currently open
jobs.
•Meet contacts at companies you
have targeted.
•Find an immediate job opportunity
you do not already know about.
•Find out about companies in the
community that I might not be
familiar with.
•Learn from other job seekers the
experiences they have had and any
tips they can share.
•Share my experiences and tips with
others.

5. How To Be Successful at a
Job Fair
Research and Preparation is key!
Many job fairs publicize who is
attending beforehand.
• Check out the company websites.
• Identify the companies you are
most interested in.
•Also check the other companies
attending to uncover new
opportunities.
When checking out employers:
•What questions do you have that
you can answer in advance?
•What do you need to learn at the
event?
A prepared applicant who knows
what the company offers and asks
good questions is every recruiter’s
ideal candidate at a job fair.

6. Presenting Yourself to Employers
Mini-introduction: 30-45 seconds:
What type of work you are seeking,
your relevant experience and
personal attributes
‘Presence’: Think positive, shake
hands, and breathe.
Attend in business attire or military
uniform.
Job fairs offer only a few minutes
generally to talk to a recruiter, so
make the minutes count for you
and for them.

7. Making the Meeting Count
What questions do you want
answered? Based on the employer
research you have done.
Asking ‘good’ questions shows your
professionalism, so make them
relevant.
The Two Critical Questions if you
are interested:
1. Ask for contact information: To
send ‘thank you’ notes and
follow up.
2. Ask for time-line on when you
will hear from them.
So you know what to expect and
can follow-up as needed if do not
hear anything back.

8. Following Up with After the
Job Fair with Employers
Send an immediate thank you email
for the meeting you had with them.
Maybe include another point about
a skill that will be of benefit to the
position that you discussed.
Even if there was no position
discussed, still follow-up and thank
them for their time. Very rarely does
a recruiter get a thank you note for
their time. This is a good way to
start your networking with a
recruiter in your community.
Connect with them on LinkedIn by
sending them a customized
invitation that mentions that you
met at the job fair.
Follow-up professionally, don’t stalk.
A thank you note and then a follow
up a few weeks later.

9. Networking with Your Peers at
the Job Fair
One largely overlooked opportunity at a job
fair is the opportunity to network with your
peers.
Too many people feel that this is a competitive
environment rather than one that can be
supportive for all the professionals seeking a
new position.
This is a way to learn about other
opportunities, what it is like to interview with
other companies and other companies’
culture.
You have the opportunity to:
• Meet others with similar interests.
•Learn more about market and who is hiring.
•Connect with people at your target
employers.
But how?
•Introduce yourself to other attendees.
•Use your mini-introduction.
• Ask what they are interested in and share
what you are interested in.
• If interested, exchange contact info and
connect on LinkedIn.

10. Thank you and good luck!
If you are a security cleared professional
looking for a new opportunity, please check
out www.ClearedJobs.Net