Career fairs can be one of your best resources for finding the right job. At an in-person career fair, where there are many employers in the same place, you can talk to several about their organizations and potential openings at once. Recruiters are there to find potential employees and will answer any questions you may have about their organization or potential job opportunities. They are often the first step in the hiring process before you meet with a hiring manager.
Think about what to wear. Business or business casual attire is most common. Depending on your career choice, prepare a portfolio that has examples of your work and bring multiple copies of your resume.
We know not everyone is comfortable in crowded situations or engaging with strangers. That’s why it’s probably helpful if you research which organizations will be at the fair and the jobs they may have already posted. With that information, you can decide who you want to seek out and strike up a conversation with. Below are a few questions from Ticket to Work that you can ask to get you started:
- What are the duties and expectations of this position?
Use your research to prepare unique questions for each employer. Asking questions specific to the job description is the key to a good first impression. You’ll want to know as much as possible about the work itself. You’ll also want to know if you’ll be part of a team or an individual contributor. Asking about expectations, how you’ll be evaluated and opportunities for advancement will help you decide if the position is right for you.
- What are the opportunities for growth?
Many organizations invest in the professional growth of their employees. Because progressing in your career results from increasing your value to an organization, opportunities for additional education like specific job training, coursework towards a certificate or classes on new technology can help you advance and open up new opportunities.
- What has your experience been with the organization?
Don’t forget to ask the career fair representative about their experience. What do they like about the organization? Ask about their work history, how they got started and how long have they been there. At a career fair, you can speak with someone who may not be the hiring manager, but who may be able to give you a good sense of the workplace culture and environment so you can assess whether it might be a good fit for you.
- What is the organization’s outlook for the future?
Asking about future plans can help you see how you might fit into the company’s long-term strategy. Can you foresee opportunities down the road with this organization? Can you get a sense of their culture and values from their goals and plans? Some examples might have to do with expanding their markets internationally or improving their environmental sustainability. Perhaps they want to develop new products or services. These types of insights can contribute to your own decision making.
- What does the hiring process include?
The hiring process is different at every organization and learning about each one can help you get an idea of the steps involved and likely timeline. Some organizations conduct multiple rounds of interviews with several individuals. Others may only require you to meet with one or two people. Some require background checks or that you complete certain tests. Because you’ll want to know what to expect, this is an important question to ask.
Finally, be sure to get the representative’s contact information if you’re interested in a position. After talking to a lot of people at a career fair, it may be difficult to remember who you want to thank and follow up with.
Read more articles for the ConnectComm Community here.