By: Suzanne Ricci, M. Ed, Certified Technical Trainer @ LaSalle Computer Learning Center
July 18, 2007

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Monthly there are several career fairs that take place. Many people will choose to skip these worthwhile events because they aren’t sure what to do, or even worse, many people will ruin their chance at an excellent job opportunity because they didn’t know how to make a career fair a success. This article points out 10 Job Seeker Tips for Career Fair Success.

# 1: Pre register . Most events are advertised well in advance. Many career fairs have websites with pre-registration for the events, so when you arrive you can focus on the goal… finding worthwhile employment not registering.

# 2: Allocate enough time . Several people rush through a career fair because they want to get it over with. Getting it done fast, doesn’t mean you did it right and in this case it is better to do it right than fast. If an event is from 10 am – 2 pm, then you should prepare to be there from 10 am – 2 pm. If you finish early, and are happy with the results, you can leave, but you should never plan anything before the end of the event. You could get asked to interview on site, told the manager you need to speak with is coming to the event at 1:30 pm and you want to be sure you are available if requested.

# 3: Dress Appropriately . You should be dressed in proper business attire. Not business casual and never casual. This is a professional event. You are going to a career fair to find a career you should look the part. It is better to be over dressed and feel confident than to be underdressed and feel self conscience.

# 4: Preplan some answers to common questions. At a career fair, several employers are going to ask you the same questions. You should preplan good answers to the more popular questions. For example, what type of position are you looking for? What was the last position you had? Why did you leave your last company? Preplanning answers will help you relax and you will be able to effectively answer the questions most employers at the career fair will ask. If you are a LaSalle student, please ask your career counselor for sample good and bad answers to common interviewing questions. Be sure you practice your answers on your family, friends and loved ones. Ask for constructive criticism. You don’t want the recruiter for your dream job to be the first time you try out you preplanned answers. Remember you have 10 seconds to make a good impression. Preplanning some of your answers will help you.

#5: Bring several copies of your latest resume. Several… is defined as no less than 50. You should never tell an employer I only have one left or I only brought one. That tells an employer you are unprofessional and unprepared and nobody wants to hire an unprofessional, under-prepared individual.

• Your resume should be the latest resume you have. In my recruiting experience I have received several hundred resumes with the wrong phone numbers, wrong address, wrong email, etc. If you don’t have the correct contact information on your resume than you should not be shocked if nobody contacts you from the career fair.
• Do not cross out the information on your resume and write it in at the event. This tells an employer you didn’t care enough to preplan and you are probably very irresponsible. It is a pet peeve several recruiters will agree with.
• Be sure you read your resume before you make multiple copies. The biggest pet peeve of recruiters is misspellings on a resume. It tells the recruiter you do not have an eye for detail, have poor computer skills or are lazy… all of which are big red flags and will cause your resume to get sent to the garbage bin.

  - this article is about career fair success. If you are a LaSalle Computer Learning Center student and are enrolled in one of LaSalle’s instructor-led computer classes in Tampa and need help with your resume please contact your training consultant. Future articles on Resume Success will be printed so check back. -

# 6: When you arrive get a map and plan your path: This is the step where successful career fair attendants and the not so successful are separated. Many people go to the registration booth, take their goodie bag and walk in the event. They start going to the booths and asking what the companies do. This is wrong. After the registration booth, be sure to ask the attendant for a map and list of the companies attending the fair. Most of the time this is found in the goodie bag, but be sure you have one. Find a seat somewhere outside of the main hall and read the employer descriptions, job descriptions and any other information given to you. This will help you structure questions and create a plan for the event. A career fair is designed for a candidate to get to know the companies as much as the companies want to get to know the candidates. Use this time to your advantage, if you are reading and you see something that stands out… make a note so when you get to the booth you will be able to ask questions. It shows the recruiter your attention to detail, your dedication, and your sincere interest in the company and the positions.

# 7: What to do inside the event hall: When I attend events, I start at the first booth and I work my way around the room in a logical path. I do all the outside booths first (up against the walls) and then I move up and down the aisles…. up one side, down the next. If you are really doing step # 6 then you should have a plan of how you will go to each booth. Keep in mind, some employers will switch booths, will not show up or will have to leave early, so be sure you are flexible, however having a plan of how you will move around the room will make you look more in control and more attractive to employers. Start moving from employer to employer. I don’t skip a booth. I even stop at booths selling services. I speak to everyone because most of the time the recruiters know each other. They were there an hour before the event and they were probably talking about their companies, positions, and what they are looking for in a candidate. As a school recruiter, I often give career fair attendants tips and tricks. I know if the company down the isle is hiring for accountants. If I think the person is good I will tell them, speak to “so and so” at “Xyz Company”, they are looking for someone with your skills. Remember companies are there to find talented individuals, so you might as well show everyone in the room you are a talented individual. Besides you never know if the recruiter you are speaking to is best friends with the recruiter at the company you want to work for. Your new friend could be your instant in to your dream job.

# 8: What to say to an employer: When you approach a booth be sure you are confident, walk up to the employer, look them in their eyes, extend your hand and say “hello, my name is XX.” The employer should respond with there name and their hand extended. Be sure to smile. Ask the employer to tell you more about the company and the positions available. Now be prepared (this is where scripting comes in)… a company with a lot of positions will respond with what type of job are you looking for? Be sure you have an answer to this and be sure to read the “what not to say to an employer” section below. Make sure you are listening to the employer. It is sometimes loud and busy, so it is sometimes hard to hear their responses. Ask questions to show you are interested. Employers often have jobs available that are not posted and one of them could be the job you are looking for, this is why I speak to every single company at the event. If you are interested in a position tell the employer and ask for more details. Ask how you can interview for that position… interview is the key word. You are showing the employer you are confident and think you are qualified. There is a difference between how do I apply and how do I interview. Be sure you choose your words carefully. For more information on what to say to an employer read the future article: What Employers Want to Hear by Suzanne Ricci. When you have enough information to determine if this company has a position for you, be sure to thank the recruiter for their time and if they have a position you are interested in, express it and ask when you will hear from them or for the next step. If they don’t have a position for you, wish them a great day, thank them for their time and move on to the next booth. Never fake your interest. It will aggravate the recruiter and is a waste of time for you. Just say “no thank you.” Always be polite because other recruiters could be watching and you don’t want to be negatively labeled.

# 9 What not to say to an employer: Employers will often ask “what type of position are you looking for?” Don’t say “anything that will pay the bills.” Recruiters want people who want to work for their teams, not people who will do anything to pay the bills. When asked what you are doing now, don’t respond with nothing, just hanging out. Recruiters want to hire people who will be an asset to their organization, not someone lazy and doing nothing. Try saying… I am currently looking for a position I can contribute to and grow in. While you are between jobs it is an excellent time to update your skills, so you can tell an employer you are “updating your skills to be a bigger asset to the next organization you join.” Finally, don’t divulge to much personal information. Recruiters talk to a lot of people and they don’t want to know your personal business.

# 10 Follow up: This is an important part of your success. Recruiters see a lot of people at a career fair. If you are interested follow up. You can’t expect a recruiter to remember to call every person they met. Ask for a business card while you are at the event and send an email. Thank the recruiter for there time and then express your interest in the company and in the available position you spoke about. If you don’t hear back follow up with a call.

LaSalle Computer Learning Center students have career coaching included in their Tampa, Florida IT Certification Training Programs. If you are a LaSalle student and would like to discuss specific questions about career fair success please contact your training consultant. For more information visit www.lasallecomputer.com

LaSalle Computer Learning Center is a Florida based computer skills training company with a unique training approach and market position. LaSalle has trained over 40,000 individuals since its founding in 1992. LaSalle also provides a great deal of customized training for corporate customers and has provided training for hundreds of Florida companies.

In choosing LaSalle for your computer education, you will have selected a " School of Choice" when it comes to private post-secondary IT certification education. At LaSalle students learn in an environment that encourages professionalism, ethics, integrity, and hands-on experience.

Whether you are new to IT or you are an experienced IT professional contact a training consultant today for additional information about our competitively priced certification programs that can help you reach your goals. Affordable student financing plans are available.

Suzanne Ricci, M. Ed, is a Certified Technical Trainer at LaSalle Computer Learning Center and posses more than 16 advanced IT Certifications from large computer vendors such as Microsoft, CIW, CompTIA, Adobe, Macromedia and more. With more than 7 years experience, Suzanne helps several hundred students per year achieve their career goals through strategic customized career coaching strategies. For questions on this article please email suzanne@lasallecomputer.com.

Job Seekers Tips for Career Fair Success - Part 2