job fair tips

8/13/2019 Job Fair Tips

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Job Fair TipsROZEE.PK job fairs provide a great opportunity for you to meet employers who represent a wide range of industries, and in some instances obtain interviews withthem. If you make a favorable first impression, chances are that you will be invited for an interview later on.Detailed below are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of these events.Preparation for the FairResearch Your Favorite CompaniesThe ROZEE.PK Job Fair area (www.rozee.pk/jobfair) provides details on the companies participating in the event. Research the ones you are interested in by visiting their websites and talking to your friends and colleagues who work for thesecompanies.Since you will have limited time at the job fair, make a game plan and focus onhow to approach each company, so that you can leave a lasting impression.Practice to PerfectionRemember to prepare and rehearse a 30 second pitch that you will be giving to each employer that you are interested in applying to. You must remember to incorporate positive nonverbal communications, such as eye contact, facial expressions,body language, posture, etc. A solid introduction will help you move on to theimportant next stepthe interview. A poor introduction, however, may put you on aslippery slope to the cutting room floor.Groom YourselfEnsuring a professional outlook is essential in making a good first impression.

You will have very limited face time with the employer, so make sure that you are looking your best for the event.Create a Professional Looking ResumeMake sure that you have created a professional looking resume that represents your knowledge, skills, and abilities effectively. It needs to be in an easy to read format on plain white or cream colored paperand be free of spelling mistakes.If you are looking at several career options, you may want to have two or more targeted resumes with different career objectives. If you have not made a properresume already, remember to use an online resume builder, such as the one provided on ROZEE.PK, which can save you considerable time and effort.Create Professional Looking Cover LettersMake sure that you have created a professional looking cover letter that is accurate, spell checked and grammatically correct. If possible, you should try and c

ustomize for each company or position that you are interested in. You can use various career sites such as ROZEE.PK on the internet to find templates and tips on how to create one.Interviewing TechniquesLearn and use proper interviewing techniques. You can ask a friend to do a mockinterview. Focus on communicating clearly and using proper grammar. Enunciate your words and try not to mumble while answering questions.Check Your GoalsIt is important that you set your goals and expectations appropriately. You maywalk out of a career fair with an interview call or a job offer. However, if youdo not, you should at least have made enough contacts to follow up in the nearfuture.A career fair is primarily an event that allows you to gather information about

potential employers and make contacts that can lead to your first interview. Ifyou have been able to do the above, you have succeeded! So, pat yourself on theback and follow up on your leads as discussed below.What to ExpectChaosJob fairs all across the world are, by their very nature, highly trafficked events, where thousands of job seekers visit employer booths in a limited amount oftime. Expect to encounter a certain amount of confusion and disorderliness. However, this should not deter you from achieving your objective at the event.Tough Competition


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You will be competing against thousands of job seekers for jobs offered by various companies. You have limited time to make your pitch and ensure that you standout. Consequently, it is essential that you prepare properly for the event andhave a game plan in mind, as discussed above.Long LinesSince job fairs are highly trafficked events, expect to wait in long lines, especially in front of booths that belong to large brands. A good strategy is to arrive early at the event and first target the companies that you really want to work for.No Interviews or Job OffersAs discussed above, you may walk out without a single interview or job offer; however, as long as you have gathered all the material to follow up with the employers of your choice, consider your efforts a success.On the Day of the EventDosArrive Early in the MorningMake sure that you arrive early in the morning, which will help you avoid long lines and will give you more talk time with the employers. They will also be moreresponsive to your questions, and so the chances of you making a lasting impression are a lot higher.Get Your BearingsWhen you arrive, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the hall map and employee directory. You will feel more comfortable if you quickly locate and walk by the employers in whom you are most interested. This will confirm their lo

cation and alert you to any crowds and lines of other students waiting.Take Supporting DocumentsMake sure that you take plenty of copies of the documents mentioned below, so that you do not run out:ResumesReference LettersProfessional Portfolio (if applicable)Meeting and GreetingTheres a certain etiquette practiced at job fairs. Making a mistake wont necessarily knock you out, but if your goal is to stand out from the crowd, you dont wanta mistake to be the thing that makes your visit memorable in the employers mind.Give the Recruitment Manager a strong handshake and introduce yourself in a warm, polite manner make sure that your pitch should include the following informati

on:NameMajorOpportunities you are seekingRelevant experienceHighlights of skills and strengthsYour tone must convey confidence, energy and enthusiasm for what you would liketo pursue. Let your positive attitude show. Also, try and ask engaging questionsthat convey your knowledge and interest in the company.Be courteous and demonstrate sensitivity to other students waiting to speak withemployers by keeping your questions brief and offering to continue your conversation at a later time.Remember that career fairs require you to be on your feet moving from table to t

able for at least an hour or so. Each time you meet someone, try and be at yourbest, as refreshed as possible!Some employers will expect you to complete their job applications while you areat the job fair, so be sure to bring information that may not be included on your resume. This information may include addresses and telephone numbers of formeremployers; addresses and dates of attendance for colleges; and contact information for references.DontsComing LateDont arrive 30 minutes before the end of the day and expect to talk to employers.


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Some will have planes to catch; others will be tired and ready to wind up aftera long day of interviewing.Not knowing What You WantResponses like, Ill take anythingor I dont knowand questions like What jobs dove for me?or What can your organization do for me?shows a lack of focus and interest on your part. Doing so creates a very negative impression on the recruitmentmanager since it is considered as a lack of preparation on your part.Not Carrying Your Credentials ProfessionallyYou must carry your credentials in a neat folder or a small briefcase. Carryingyour documents around in your hands may crease them and will not create a good impression on the employer.Lying on Your ResumeMake sure that everything that you have written on your resume can be elaboratedupon with examples that you can discuss upon during the interview to highlightyour achievements and skills.Asking About Salary and BenefitsQuestions about compensation and benefits are best left for the final round of your interview. Career fairs are usually not the right place for such questions since even if you do interview on the spot for a position, it will probably be the first round. Asking such questions at this point in time can create an unfavorable notion on the employer, and he or she may disqualify you for the next roundin the recruitment process.Hoarding GiveawaysAs discussed above, your primary focus on the job fair should be to interact wit

h the employers and discuss career opportunities in their organizations. Collecting free items offered by companies should be the last thing on your mind, sinceit defocuses you from your primary goal and creates a very strong negative impression on the employers if they notice you.Frivolous QuestionsAsking personal questions or flirting with the recruitment manager is a definiteNO, and is ground for instant disqualification from any type of opportunity that is being offered by any organization.Things to Take HomeMake sure that you walk out the job fair with as many of these items possible, so that you can follow up with them in a professional and effective manner.Business CardsYour notes on the conversation with the HR Manager

Company Brochures and other informational materialA better sense of your career optionsSelf confidence in interacting with employer representativeJob Application FormsFollow UpMost employers follow up within two to four weeks after the job fair to requestan interview. They also expect some kind of follow-up from you: a cover letter,phone call, or a completed job application and may not extend an invitation to interview if you fail to take this initiative. Additionally, remember to send a thank you note to all the contacts from companies you would like to work for.Time spent at a job fair pays off if you take the initiative. Its your chance tosee many of the career opportunities that are open to you and you may connect with potential employers who, ultimately, can offer you a job. If you make a favor

able impression, you are more likely to be invited for an interview.