You can never underestimate the importance of attending job fairs for potential employment opportunities. With hundreds of employers in attendance, whose sole purpose is to look for potential new hires; this is a perfect place to meet prospective employers face to face in one place. The atmosphere can also be a bit stressful with many job seekers like you in attendance looking for employment opportunities.

Here are some useful tips to make your job fair experience a success and leave a positive impression with prospective employers. Your planning, preparation and confidence can make all the difference.

Research: Before attending the job fair, do your research. Research companies that will be attending the fair. Look at company web sites, read financial plans, articles and press releases.

Stay awhile: Plan to spend a few hours at the job fair. Take your time to walk around and speak to employers and pick-up business cards and brochures at various booths. Get to the job fair early to beat the rush of other job seekers and know your way around.

Don’t forget your feet: Expect to do a lot of walking and standing so wear comfortable shoes. Don’t wear uncomfortable high heels or brand new shoes that haven’t been broken in. shoes should be clean, professional and comfortable.

Dress professionally: Look at job fairs as a job interview with a potential new employer. Make a good impression by wearing business attire, being well groomed and wearing minimal make-up and piercings.

Bring resumes: Bring a supply of current resumes to hand out to the companies. Double check your resume for spelling and grammatical errors. Carry a portfolio or case to hold resumes and corporate information you collect.

Prepare an introduction: Before meeting with employers, prepare something to sell yourself. Think about your strengths, goals, where you want to work, what you would like to do, and your relevant skills. Let the various employers know why you want to work for their company and what you would bring if hired.

Prepare questions: Create a list of questions you want to ask each employer. One of the best ways to look prepared and professional is asking thoughtful and intelligent questions.

Network: Make eye contact, shake hands and introduce yourself to employers when approaching the table. Take the initiative by giving the employer your resume and telling them about yourself and why you are interested in their company. When responding to questions, provide examples of your strengths and qualifications. Don’t hesitate to ask the employers questions in return.

Get Contact Information: Don’t leave an employer’s booth without asking for a business card and company brochure. This might be the only opportunity you have to meet with the hiring manager face to face and you will need the contact information to follow-up with them later.

Show enthusiasm and calm: With many job seekers approaching booths at the same time, things can get overwhelming. Remain calm, smile and enjoy the experience.

Before leaving: Return to the booths of prospective employers of interest. Thank the employer again for their time and let them know that you will be in touch and look forward to speaking with them again. Going back to say thank you may help the employer remember your face and name.

Job Fair Follow-up: Just like a job interview, it is important to follow up with employers after a job fair. Using the business cards you collected, write letters or emails to the contacts. Thank them for taking the time to speak with you, express your interest in working with the employer, and let them know that you will call them to follow up in a few days.

By attending a job fair well prepared, you will likely learn something valuable. You might meet fantastic employers; you might be introduced to new ideas you had not considered before and you never know; you might just get a job.

Information provided by HR Difference.

Our HR team specializes in providing small and medium sized companies with cost-efficient and customized human resources consulting solutions and learning management systems to meet your need and budget. We also provide custom resume writing and telephone job interview coaching for job seekers.

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