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I've never been to one but we've discussed this in multiple classes that I've taken and I've come across suggestions in different articles online.
Dress professionally, the same as you would if attending a job interview.
Always grab a business card before leaving one of the tables.
Ask questions, show a lot of interest in the company.
Find out what their current needs are and what they're looking for in a candidate. For example, if you're only looking for something full time you wouldn't want to spend too long at a booth where they're looking to bring people in part-time.
If they have nametags available, definitely wear one.
I think that's all I've got, but I'm sure there are other people here who would have more insightful comments.
As for how many resumes to bring...that depends on how many companies are going to be there. I'd say anywhere from 5-20, but it really depends on how many people will be there and how many of those companies you're interested in working for.
It's looking like you're going to want to bring a LOT of copies of your resume. One website suggested 2 per company, another said 25 or 40. Have fun making copies!
Waste of time. Many of the companies there are not hiring they are just there for public relations purposes. The companies just send HR there who collect and screen resumes/applications. Makes no difference if you apply online or in person. Save the gas/time and do it online or try bypassing HR.
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Here's an unusual tip .... Bring a small stapler, notepad and pen with you. After speaking with each recruiter, you can staple their business card onto a page in your notepad and jot down notes about the conversation you just had with them and any follow up steps to be taken. This will help you as you are likely to be talking to many recruiters and its difficult to keep them all straight by the end of the day. I wish you the best.
I've never been to one, but I have friends that have gone. They had better luck with job fairs for singular companies, not multiple. Singular meaning it was one large corporation/business having an open house of sorts as opposed to several companies setting up tables. The singular fairs seemed to be really interested in hiring more since they foot the bill and set up.
Oh, and they said the fair was so packed you hardly got a chance to talk to recruiters personally. It was often just drop a resume and move on, or you had to wait in a long,long line. Kind of a waste of time.
I agree with the posters above regarding preparations you should make--better to be prepared than not. That said, also be prepared for the different employers to simply tell you to apply on their site and leave you walking away feeling like the whole thing was a waste of time.
Job Fairs, well.........for some applicants, ok, for others just a waste of time. Show up with some nice resumes and are told "sorry, we aren't taking resumes here, you have to apply online." Show up nicely dressed (like I have), but will any employer remember how you looked......."no!" Also found out that a lot of schools show up at Job Fairs. I was looking for a job, not to go to school!
Sometimes a Job Fair can be a real JOKE, but you might just get lucky......some folks have.
Good Luck!
I have been reading that job fairs are most likely a waste of time. I would still go to one if the option was there and I needed work. So maybe you waste a few hours. Big deal. Prepare as much as possible and maybe something will work out.
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