Job fair

For the episode of the United States version of The Office, see Job Fair (The Office).

A job fair in New York City, March 2009

What is a job fair and why is it important?

A job fair is also referred commonly as a career fair or career expo. It is a fair or exposition for employers, recruiters, and schools to meet with prospective job seekers. Job seekers use this opportunity to meet with them, try to stand out from other people and get an overview of what it’s like to work for a company or a sector that seem interesting to them. Career Expositions usually include company or organization tables or booths where resumes can be collected and business cards can be exchanged. In the college setting, job fairs are commonly used for entry level job recruiting. Often sponsored by career centers, job fairs provide a convenient location for students to meet employers and perform first interviews. This is a great opportunity for companies to meet with students and talk to them about their expectations from them as students and answer their potential questions such as the degree or work experience needed.

Online career/job fairs

Wikipedia’s definition of an online job fair is “...an online version of a traditional job fair”. Online job fairs offer many of the same conveniences of regular career fairs. An online job fair uses a virtual platform which allows employers to discuss with potential new nominees for the job they’re offering. It’s a way of interacting with them virtually and practical to get to know who they are. A virtual career fair include many services such as video, live chats, downloadable material and many more to make it the more helpful both for the recruiter and the job seeker. After having applied online to positions, many more people are also trying their luck with in-person job fairs. They are many ways of succeeding in a virtual job fairs, but here are some of the key elements that you don’t want to miss out. First of all, don’t sign up to any online fair just because it seems interesting. Do some research, find out about the ones that seem interesting to you and look for the positions you would be suitable for. Secondly since it’s online, you will be online and on video with recruiters so think about the room you're going to be in and make sure it looks clean. You’re outfit is also important even on a virtual interview. Everything you would think about for a face to face interview in an office for example applies here : All of your papers should be ready to run around the house looking for them, seat correctly like if you were in an office. Everything counts even virtually! One example of an online career platform is the American Chemistry society virtual fair. Their idea is to set up a platform accessible to both employers and job seekers anywhere in the world. The idea is to create live video interviews, live chats as well as live conferences. The employer can then talk to the candidate of his choice either live or then he have the possibility to follow up with him or her. This a great example of a virtual career fair and it shows it’s conveniency.

Useful tools to be ready for a job fair

Job fairs might be the place where you will find the position of your dreams or meet really important employers. Here are some useful elements to be ready and maybe obtain the job you always wanted.

Before the fair When you arrive to the career fair you want to be ready to start talking to the employers. For that, you need to know which recruiter is going to be there as well as the companies. Look at the list and choose the ones that seem interesting to you. Then do some research. In fact, if the CEO of the company you want to work for is there then look prepared, show him you know information about the company, about the job they are offering. Prepare a little “pitch” to say to the recruiter and have your resume ready even if not all employers will take a look at it.

On the day of the fair From the minute you enter the room where the fair takes place remember your objective, you want to talk to recruiters and not just any employer. Stay calm and relaxed and just walk around with your pitch ready to tell to any company that interest you. If you see the recruiter that you want to see try to find a way to attract him, to make him or her come and talk to you. Remember to ask questions, to take notes on the companies that stood out to you. If your conversation with an employer is successful then try to leave a copy of your CV or get a business card to maybe keep in touch.

After the fair Try to look back at your notes and make some sort of selection on the companies that you liked and on the conversations that were likely to have a follow up. If any recruiter told you to send an email don’t forget to do it, to keep in touch with them to maybe get the job you want. Don’t forget to thank the employer for the time they gave you.

If you are a recruiter or an employer Job fairs are important for the recruiter as well. You want to make a first good impression and be prepared to all sort of questions candidates can have. Prepare a little pitch as well to attract the students or job seekers. They want a job but they have different interests and this fair is designed for them to discover every possibility they have. You need to be very clear about the job you are offering and what type of profile you are looking for.

Job fairs are good places to meet many company representatives from corporations of all industries and sizes during a short period of time. Every job fair has a set of similar, basic elements or processes that require your attention during the full time. According to a french newspaper, career fairs are also a good debating place for both recruiters and job seekers.