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Job Fair

18 tips to help you prepare for a Job fair

Job Fairs are a great place to network. Here are 18 tips to help you prepare.

1. Do your Research! Know which companies will attend and target a few in particular.
2. Prepare CVs that match some of the job descriptions of the positions you are interested in. You may have to prepare different types of CVs.
3. Print as many copies of your CV as possible....more than you think you need.
4. Make business cards. You will be asked for your business card over & over. Don’t have a business card? Be creative and make your own!
5. Pack your bag so that everything is within easy access...especially your CVs and pens....you don’t want to fumble in front of your contacts so practice writing and handing over the CV a few times first and fine tune as necessary.
6. Prepare your "speech"...It's always nice to ask questions about the company and present yourself as an asset afterwards.
7. Introduce yourself. Wear a name tag and make sure to say your name and shake everyone's hand. Sell yourself like you would sell a product....let them know the name of the product you want to discuss right off the bat....a product that is the solution to their problems....a product that will meet their needs....think win-win....
8. Whether they seem receptive or not, ask what they would suggest you do to make yourself more marketable...you'd be surprised how many people want to help....even by simply giving good advice....some may even suggest that you contact them for further help along the way! .

9. Dress to impress! Dress like you would for an interview. People really do judge you by your appearance so if you look the part then it helps! Check yourself in the mirror...bag....portfolio ...shoes and all to make sure you are portraying the image that you desire.
10. Be prepared for an interview because they may just interview you on the spot....practice answering interview questions beforehand....such as why this type of job and why leave old job....why would you be a good fit....what do you have to offer....Think in terms of skill set when you have no experience in a certain field....Not everyone is familiar with the ins & outs of your particular job so sell what you know...what you do that is transferrable.
11. Figure out what skills are most important to the job you are applying for and make sure to sell yourself as someone who possesses those skills....don’t assume they know...repeat if you must.
12. Ask for business cards and write specific info about each person that you made contact with on the back of each card so that you can follow up appropriately. You will forget the details because of the number of contacts you will make at the job fair.
13. Bring pens and a notebook to take notes....suggestions...ideas....
14. Wear comfortable & professional shoes. It could take all day to make contacts....it's hard to be enthusiastic when your feet hurt....trust me...I learned the hard way.
15. Always remember to smile as you are on display. You need to have the same amount of pep, drive and enthusiasm at the end of the day as you started out with at the beginning of the day.
16. Thank each person after each interaction and try to remember to thank them by name as you shake their hands.
17. Always leave a copy of your CV even if they were not receptive. Sometimes in skimming your CV they can see things that you may have forgotten to mention or that you didn’t deem important or significant enough to mention..
18. Follow up ASAP after the job fair while they still remember you..... A Thank you letter is another opportunity to sell yourself after the job fair.

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