What to do at a job fair, and how you can prepare

Job fairs are gatherings where employers and job seekers go to meet each other. There are in-person job fairs and virtual ones. Whatever the format, job fairs are a golden opportunity for job seekers. The potential benefits of attending a job fair include:

• Meeting a lot of recruiters in a short time
• Being able to practice your elevator pitch
• Gaining experience with interviewing
• Getting the inside scoop about different companies
• Building your network with new contacts—recruiters, representatives from companies, and other job seekers
• Getting job offers!

If you’re serious about finding a new job, you should consider attending a job fair.

At in-person job fairs, employers set up tables or booths with information about their companies in the hope of meeting future employees. Job seekers move about the fair, talk with recruiters, and hope to land their next role.

Virtual job fairs have a similar format, just in a digital forum. Virtual job fairs sometimes have you attend a training to learn how their platform works. You can search for roles using different filters, such as location, company, and industry. These features make it possible to navigate a virtual fair efficiently. You can “visit” different booths, share your resume, and request an interview via live chats.

All types of organizations—colleges, state employment agencies, and specific industries—host job fairs. College career centers frequently host job fairs for prospective employers to meet their students. Some colleges keep their job fairs exclusive to their own students, while others are open to the public. A quick check of their registration link should tell you if you can attend.

If you’re not affiliated with a college or university, you have to put in a little more work to find a job fair, but it’s not too hard. A simple internet search for career fairs in your location or specific to your industry should yield plenty of results. As mentioned, you’ll find both in-person events and virtual ones.

Joseph, a university talent agent with Fidelity, says, “LinkedIn is exactly where [organizations] post for career fairs.”

Different types of fairs cater to different demographics and industries. Jenna, senior university talent acquisition leader with Fidelity, says, “Going to the [industry] specific fairs will be beneficial because you’re going to meet specific employers who are looking for a certain tech role or a certain marketing type.”

To make the most of your time at a job fair, do some legwork ahead of time. You can prepare by learning about the event itself and the companies that will be there.

Read up on the event before you go:

• Know the important details: where you can park or what transit lines you should take, how long it will take for you to get there, and what time you can sign in.
• Check the schedule. Sometimes there are smaller workshops or networking opportunities scheduled during the day. Sign up for the ones you’re interested in.

Research the companies that are attending:

• Find the ones that spark your interest. Do they have roles open that match your skills (or ones you aspire to have)? Check reviews on sites like Glassdoor and Indeed.
• Make a list of 5-10 “must-see” companies
• Write down a list of questions to ask reps from these companies
• Create a tailored resume for your top choices

Bonus tip: If you’ve been working from home or in a role that doesn’t require office attire, borrow or buy an interview-ready outfit. When you meet with recruiters at a job fair, you’re essentially attending an interview. Dress the part.

Though most companies have digitized their hiring process, there are still people who like to see information on paper. Keep both of these avenues covered by bringing three things with you.

1. Your phone. Use it to scan QR codes that some companies use as a way to follow up with job fair visitors. Do last-minute reviews of job postings from companies you want to visit.
2. Your resume. Some companies won’t take them, but you’ll find recruiters who’ll take a peek at them anyway.
3. Your business card. Some people say they’re passé in the digital age. That doesn’t stop people from passing them around at professional events.

You won’t have a lot of time when you talk with recruiters. Make it count by making these key moves:

• Greet recruiters with a smile and a firm handshake. Jenna says, “I always love when candidates come up to us with a smile on their face.”
• Tell them why you stopped by their booth. Have you been learning about their industry? Do you have experience as a customer? Are you familiar with their reputation? Companies like to know you’ve done your homework and are particularly interested in them.
• Share your elevator pitch—your experience, key skills, and what you can offer in your next role. Keep it brief, but be confident. Joseph believes confidence is often “what it comes down to in the end.”
• Ask the questions that you prepared ahead of time. Remember that you’re interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.

Jenna adds that when candidates have researched open roles within the company and ask to learn more about them, “that creates that piece where you show initiative in our company.”

If you spend just a little time preparing before you attend your next job fair, it can help you feel more confident and help you make the most of your time with recruiters. You may even turn this golden opportunity into your next job offer!