How To Be Successful at a Hiring Fair

A Hiring Fair can be a great place to meet your next employer. With many people attending, it can be overwhelming for yourself and the employers. Here are some tips to help yourself standout from the crowd!

Know Your Stuff

Visit www.percresources.ca or www.placementexperts.ca regularly to see which employers are attending. These lists are updated frequently.
Do some research on the employers attending and know what they are all about before you go. That way you can plan ahead and know which employers you want to leave your resume with.

Make an Entrance

When you arrive, check in with the front desk to see if any new employers have registered. You will be given a Program Guide of who will be there that day.
Check out the layout of the Hiring Fair and find where the employers are that you want to meet first.

Be Prepared

Be prepared to wait to meet with an employer.
Bring lots of resumes! Plan on two for each company that you want to leave a resume with, especially if you are applying for more than one position with that employer.
Create a portfolio. Include copies of your resume, certificates, list of references and reference letters. Being able to provide copies of your skills will help an employer remember you.
Bring pen, paper and personal calendar. Ready to book that follow up interview!
Dress as you would for an interview. It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed.
No gum chewing. No food or drink with you.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

The Interview

Estimate 15 minutes for each employer you want to meet with. This will allow for waiting times and meeting with any additional employers that show up.
Plan for 2- 5 minutes to market yourself. You need to make the most of your time so know your "highlights" that you will be offering that employer.
Remember the 3 keys to all interviews

Make eye contact
Offer a firm handshake
Show interest

Be prepared to answer the most common hiring fair question, which is "What are you here for today?”
A great question to ask an employer who you have shared your resume with is "What do I need to do to get another interview with you?"
If you are not prepared to speak to an employer or are nervous - try eavesdropping on what is taking place at the booth

what are they asking other job seekers?
do they have literature at their booth that you could take and read over before coming back to meet with that employer.

Hiring Fairs are about Networking - with employers but also an opportunity to network with other job seekers, share information, job leads and experiences.

Follow up

The most important part of a Hiring Fair is to follow up with employers after the hiring fair is over.
Follow up can be done by calling employers within a day or two after the hiring fair to thank them for their time or write a thank you note and mail it the next day to the employer. For either method include your interest to meet again.