You will only have a limited amount of time with each company representative, so make it count! Getting together an interesting and impactful elevator pitch before you attend a job fair will put you in a great position to make a lasting and favorable impression on company representatives who have limited time and attention to devote to each candidate. Practice your pitch on family and friends to work out the kinks and to get some valuable feedback.

While you’re doing to your research on the companies that will be in attendance, check out their Careers page or Job Board. If there’s anything you’d like to apply for, feel free to go right ahead and apply! When you speak to the company representative at the job fair mention that you applied for a job online. If you have any questions about the job, you now have the perfect opportunity to get answers right from the source. Not only does it show that you’re interested in the job, but it shows that you’re willing to take steps to engage yourself in the job search process. This step could put you on the fast track to recruitment.

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Once you have a clearer professional path in mind, make sure that your resumé targets those specific industries by highlighting skills most valuable to them. This could mean making several versions of your resumé to apply to different industries. When you first get to the job fair, take a moment to orient yourself and figure out where your target industries are located before setting off to make introductions.

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There are going to be companies in attendance from many diverse industries offering a wide range of positions. Browsing every booth and display regardless of their relevance to your search could mean that you don’t make it to the companies who can offer you the perfect fit. This means having a crystal clear picture of exactly what you’re looking for before you attend the job fair. Narrow down your search to just one or two industries by evaluating your traits, skills and experience and envisioning where they might take you professionally.

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Finding the right employer at a job fair event is a lot like speed dating. The goal is to identify and instantly connect with employment opportunities that potentially lead to working relationships where you feel heard, valued, and appreciated. The foundation to any good relationship!

Don’t go into these brief encounters unprepared. Take a few moments beforehand to identify how companies measure up your core values and career interests in order to maximize your employment match opportunity. Ask yourself...

What’s the Company Mission? this brief statement highlights the aims and values of the organization. Give is a careful read and make sure your career goals and values are aligned with their mission.

What’s the Company Up To? do a quick google search on each company and look around for any hot topic issues or industry news that could influence your employment decision. Find out if the company’s financially solvent, community orientated, and/or environmentally responsible. Make sure the organizations recent activities and behaviors are in line with your core principles and beliefs.

What’s the Company Culture? get the inside scoop on what employees, former employees, and managers have to say about their work life experience at each company you’re considering. Glassdoor and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are all reliable platforms that offer a good perspective on company’s culture.

Remember, relationships work better when both sides have something of mutual value to bring to the table. Check out “The Ultimate Guide To Researching A Company Pre-Interview” for more information.

Here’s a few job fair strategies to keep in mind as you prepare to meet face to face with company recruiters to discuss employment opportunities:

Pre-Game… take a few minutes to collect yourself after you arrive and get the lay of the land. Secure a map or a floor plan that outlines the table locations for all the companies attending and identify exactly where all the organizations that meet your interest will be in order to maximize your time there.

Warm-up… start off talking to a couple of companies low on your favorable list to sharpen your elevator pitch. Make sure your statement sounds natural, clear, and dynamic before you approach recruiters from the top rated companies on your list.

Be Memorable… ask for a business card then put it to good use. After you talk with each recruiter take a moment to write down a small note of anything that stood out in the conversation on the back of each business card. Use that info as a reference point in your follow-up email or phone call to help you immediately stand out in the recruiter’s memory.

Remember, preparing yourself ahead of time to make a memorable first impressions at these events is a crucial step towards having a successful job fair experience.