You want potential employers to know all about you, but how much do you know about them? Before you attend the job fair, select a few attending companies you’d like to work for and do a little digging.
What kinds of jobs do they have open? What’s their mission statement about? What do former employees have to say about them? These are all questions that can be answered in a minimal amount of time with a just little snooping.
As you uncover more information, you’re bound to have questions, so jot them down! When you meet with company representatives at the job fair, you’ll be able to spark up a conversation right away with a thoughtful question.
#EmpowermentToEmployment #JobFairSuccess
Want to know more about the companies who will be attending? Use this list to get started.
So you’ve entered the job fair. There are thousands of other job seekers surrounding you and hundreds of job opportunities to apply to. Now what? You need a game plan. The day-of is going to go by in a flash, so make sure you manage your time effectively by doing a little prep work to identify your target companies.
Figure out which companies in attendance suit you best by evaluating your skills and traits and comparing those to the skills and traits valued by that company. This is going to take a good deal of personal reflection and research on your part, but it will essentially help you to narrow down your search so you can effectively target those companies at the job fair.
So now you’ve come equipped with a list of companies to target that you know are a match for your skills, traits and values. When you enter the job fair, take a good look around and map out your route around the room based on where these companies are located. Now it’s time for you to set off and make the rounds! With your new game plan in hand, you’ll feel less overwhelmed and you’ll be more likely to find a job that makes you happy!
Forgetting something? Besides a smile and your winning personality, the single most important thing to remember to bring to a job fair is your resumé (and many copies of it)! Your resumé is going to be the only thing you leave behind after stopping to chat with a company representative, so you should do everything in your power to ensure that it leaves them with the best possible impression of you.
The company representatives you meet are going to want to know who you are, so make sure your resumé has all of your contact info on it. This should include your full name, email address, home address and phone number.
Scan your resumé for errors before printing it on crisp, clean paper and store your stack of resumés in a folder to avoid crinkling or folding the paper while you attend the event. Nobody wants to receive a wrinkly, error-ridden, resumé with no identifiable contact information, so keep your resumé pristine and clean!
Confidence doesn’t always come from the inside out! Did you know that dressing well can make you feel and act more confident, thus making you more hireable? A sharp outfit and a smile are the foundation to landing the perfect job, not only because you look and feel great, but also because of what your appearance communicates to potential employers.
Wearing a classy getup for a hiring event communicates that you’re invested, serious, and well prepared for the job market. You’re sure to turn heads if you pair that with a friendly demeanor and a polished resumé. So, invest in a new outfit and get yourself all done up for the job fair so you can catch the eye of your next employer.
That may be all the time you have to make a favorable first impression at the job fair. Company reps from your target companies are going to be fielding questions and having conversations with hundreds of eager job seekers during the job fair.
Catch their attention with an expertly crafted Elevator Pitch! The foundation of any good Elevator Pitch is to communicate what you do, what your goals are, and what makes you unique. You want to be memorable, so don’t be afraid to use bold and descriptive vocabulary to paint a colorful picture of who you are professionally. The final key to a truly captivating Elevator Pitch is delivery. You need employers to buy your pitch, but if you can’t convey the words you chose in a confident and heartfelt manner, even the best Elevator Pitch will feel flat and disingenuous.
Like with anything, practice makes perfect! Practice on your friends, family, pets— anyone who will listen. Practice early and often and gather as much feedback as you can from others. That way, when you get to the job fair, you’ll have your Elevator Pitch totally down pat and you can focus on using it to connect with potential employers.
So what’s your pitch sound like? Click “Reply” and submit your Elevator Pitch below to receive feedback, pointers and encouragement from other Jobcasers.
Want an advantage at the June 21st Citywide Job Fair in Chicago?
The Chicago Urban League is hosting two days of career workshops - on Monday, June 19th and Tuesday, June 20th. Sign-up to get the maximum possible success at the job fair and beyond!
Turbo-charge your job search by signing-up and showing-up for one, two, or more of the workshops listed below!
To register, email: wfdevents@thechicagourbanleague.org with your name and the workshop(s) you would like to attend
All workshops will be held at the Chicago Urban League offices at: 4510 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60653
Empowerment to Employment Workshops
Monday, June 19th:
Resume and Cover Letter Clinic Provided by: Chicago Urban League 10 a.m. – 12 Noon
How to WIN with YOUR Personal Brand Provided by: Accenture 12 noon – 2p.m.
Tools for Empowering Your Job Fair Success Provided by: Jobcase 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, June 20th:
Interview Prep/Best Practices for A Productive Job Search Provided by: Verizon 10 a.m. – 12 Noon
Resume and Cover Letter Clinic Provided by: The Chicago Urban League 12 Noon – 2 p.m.
Employer Spotlight: Art Institute of Chicago Provided by: Art Institute of Chicago 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.