The Real Value of Job Fairs

Most of us have attended job fairs and have spent a significant amount of time understanding its real value in the job searching process. Job fairs can be a solid opportunity to see what jobs are out there and what positions are available. All seekers attend job fairs with the main mission of getting an initial interview or being hired on the spot. Making a positive impression that lead to interviews and job offers is a challenge, but should always be the mind set of any seeker when attending job fairs.

The key is to impress the interviewer within the first two minutes of your introduction. You only get one shot, so make the most out of it. Job fairs are like busy markets, full of people searching for interesting stuff to acquire – in this case jobs. Hiring managers and HR people screen a gazillion applicants in these job fairs, so for them to take notice of you, you would need to stand out. When the chance for an interview arises, click on your internal “on button” and perform. Make sure you’re ready with answers to common interview questions. Come to battle prepared, never enter job fairs clueless on how to respond to usual interview questions.

This first interview counts a lot. This is where the HR personnel decide to further entertain your application or to move on to the next guy. The real value of job fairs is really the chance for you to shorten the hiring and evaluation process as it gives you several options and chances to apply in one venue, all in one day. The main message here is to take job fairs seriously, do your best and to always have the objective of landing the job right there and then.