5 High-Impact Strategies for a Successful Job Fair Experience

Job fairs are a common recruiting, screening, and interviewing strategy for corporate recruiters because it gives them a chance to meet face-to-face with a large number of candidates in a single day. It is here where employers can quickly assess candidates based on appearance and communication skills, as well as selling candidates on the benefits of working for their company.

With the downturn in the economy, job fairs are becoming more competitive. There are fewer employers participating and more candidates attending than ever before. Job fair events around the country have reported a 300% plus increase in attendance. This has resulted in extremely long lines to talk with employers and increased competition among job seekers.

What You Can Expect

There is good news and bad news about job fairs. The bad news? You will probably won't find your dream job at a job fair. The good news? There are still many benefits to attending a job fair:

• attending a job fair is part of a strategic job search mix
• the employer connection may result in a decent survival job
• you may speak with an employer who gives you the name and contact information of another individual within their organization
• this is a great way to make and collect important business contacts
• network with other job seekers and recruiters
• meet with multiple employers in one day
• rehearse your marketing pitch in a low-risk environment
• get valuable feedback on your resume and/or job search plan from a Career Coach or Professional Resume Writer

5 Strategies to Prepare for a Job Fair

1. Develop a Plan. The day before the job fair, visit the sponsor's website to get a list of exhibitors or employers. Go through the list and mark the employers that you "MUST SEE" versus the ones you would "LIKE TO SEE." Do some advanced research on the companies so that you can speak intelligently about their products or services during the job fair. You want to avoid approaching an employer asking them about their products or services or making a statement such as "Wow, I don’t know anything about your company," which I have heard all too often. If necessary, organize and print important information about your "must see" employers and keep it in your portfolio with your supply of professional, error-free resumes (hint, hint). Review this information while waiting in line to speak with the employer. This way when you approach their booth you can speak intelligently about their products or services. You may also want to prepare two or three strategic, high-impact questions to ask during the short three to five minute exchange.
2. Use a 10-second branding message to introduce yourself or answer common Job Fair questions such as "Tell me about yourself" and "What type of position are you interested in?" This 10-second message should be clear and concise and should focus on what you can make happen for the organization (i.e., "design and implement high-impact Employee Assistance Programs resulting in reduced turnover and retention of top talent").
3. Make a remarkable first impression. You must treat this first interaction with the same amount of care as you would the actual interview. The 7/11 Theory suggests that within the first seven seconds of meeting someone you can form up to 11 impressions of them. It is vitally important that you dress the part of a professional who is prepared and polished in his/her appearance and delivery. Pay attention to your body language while waiting in line to speak with the employer. Introduce yourself with a smile, eye contact and a firm handshake. Continue to make eye contact and to smile during the conversation. Show enthusiasm and exhibit open body language. Use respect and formality in your conversations (i.e., Yes, No, Pardon Me, May I take a pen?). Don't treat the employer as if they are your new best friend and don’t interrupt the employer or your fellow job seekers. The impression you make during that short three to five minute exchange determines the next step. Most employers will make notes on your resume regarding their initial impression of you.
4. While at the booth, try to speak directly to the employer. Avoid the "trick or treat" trap where you focus too much on the cool freebies. Ask for their business card and literature about their company. If things are too busy, make a note to come back and move on to the next employer. If you must drop off your resume without speaking directly to the employer, jot a short note on your resume that says "You were so busy that we didn't get a chance to meet. I'm very interested in talking with you."
5. Follow up on the contacts you made by sending thank you letters which emphasizes your 10-second marketing message. If you want to ensure your correspondence is read, keep it short. When you follow up again (which I recommend you do), use a multimedia approach. Snail mail the initial thank you letter, send a short follow-up email a week or so later, leave a short voicemail message a week or so later, and so on. Research them on LinkedIn and send them an invitation to join your network. The employers will be speaking with a lot of individuals so this is a great way to stand out and be remarkable.
   

Top 10 Ways to Stay Motivated During an Extended Job Search

The job search as we have known it for many years is changing at an unprecedented rate. In fact, finding a job in today's workforce requires a new kind of sophistication -- more than education, skills, and experience. It requires approaching your job search as a niche product, understanding the depth of your marketable skills and devising a plan to translate those skills into distinct values for a potential employer.

Are you tired of spinning your wheels? Do you feel like you are working around the clock getting litle results for your effort? To maintain your momentum during this demanding process requires a plan that is both practical and strategic. Without a plan, most job seekers will quickly lose energy and self-confidence. Here are the top 10 ways to stay motivated during an extended job search:

1. Collect and sharpen your job search tools. Working hard is not the same as working smart. The old saying "dull knives work the hardest" definitely applies to job seekers who may be using out-of-date job search tools and strategies. Are you working smart or are you just going through the motions? Searching for a job is a job. And, just like any other job, there are industry-specific tools, strategies, knowledge, and processes that will help you work smarter. It is critical that you are following a proven process -- from start to finish -- that has a track record of helping professionals get jobs! Need help doing this? Check out our One Critical Day.
2. Rework your budget. Since financial pressures often result in anxiety and worry, it is important at the onset of a layoff to rework your household budget. Identify what areas you can cut back on spending, or better yet, omit completely from your budget. Talk with your creditors. What special payment plans do they offer for dislocated workers? Limit your extra spending and remove all credit cards from your purse or wallet. Commit to using credit cards only in the event of an emergency. For more resources, visit Dave Ramsey’s Budgeting Tools.
3. Leverage your talents in your job search. Your talents have a strong influence on every aspect of your life -- the way you think about things, your relationships, and how you go about solving problems. Your talents are also connected to your passion and purpose and explain what energizes, excites, and motivates you to do your best work. Take this time to learn more about your strengths and the specific qualities that make you remarkable and memorable. Learn how you are naturally wired for work and then leverage those talents throughout every aspect of your job search to keep you energized and engaged.
4. Continually expand and maintain your network. Networking is consistently cited as the most effective job search technique. Look for a variety of networking events to attend including job support groups, professional associations, chamber events, community events, etc. Remember, networking is the process of connecting with an extended group of people who interact and remain in contact for mutual assistance and support. True networking is what happens the day after you make a new connection.
5. Commit to continuous self-improvement. Staying on top of what's going on in your field helps you remain connected to the work world. Social Networking (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Blogging) has become a very important strategy in a job search and can be used to connect with experts in your field to stay "in the know" with latest industry progress, products, services or trends. Post, tweet, and blog about this information to reinforce your professional brand.
6. Set monthly, weekly, and daily goals. To stay on track with your job search, and to prevent being consumed with the day-to-day whirlwind of a job search, it is important to set monthly, weekly, and daily goals. The "whirlwind" is the energy, time, and attention required simply to maintain the job search. It is the "whirlwind" that can sabotage your energy, motivation, and progress of your job search. Your goals, however, are the critical strategies that keep your job search moving forward. Identify specific goals you need to accomplish for the month. Break those down into a weekly schedule and then daily tasks. Schedule your job search efforts and then honor that commitment. Visit Franklin Covey's website for a free 30-day sample planner.
7. Surround yourself with positive support. There are two types of people in our lives. There are the "basement" people who continually reach up, grab us, and pull us under. They often say things like "That's not going to work." "You'll never find another job like your last one." "You will have to take significantly less money." Studies prove we are able to cope better when we surround ourselves with a good support system. These positive influences, also known as "balcony" people, hang over the rail and cheer you on. These people inspire you and make you feel that you can be more tomorrow than you are today. They are the ones shouting "You can do it! I believe in you!" This support and encouragement gives you the extra boost you need to keep working toward your goals.
8. Volunteer your time and talents. Volunteering provides opportunities to do the "work of the heart," whether that's helping to improve the quality of life for someone or volunteering for an organization in which you have great passion. It just makes you feel good about yourself. While volunteering you continue to expand your network, develop new skills, and create current work experience stories which you can share during an interview. This type of unsolicited effort shows initiative, drive and ambition -- qualities valued by employers. Plus, the volunteer experience can sometimes result in a direct job offer. For more information about volunteer opportunities in your area, visit Volunteer Match.
9. Avoid becoming the family’s "honeydew." Yes, you are not working. Yes, things need to be done around the house. When you are out of work it is too easy to fall into the "honey, will you do ...?" trap. In a healthy job search market the typical length of a job search would be one month for every $10,000 in salary. Government reports show that the number of months continues to grow very sharply. Falling into the "honeydew" trap significantly prolongs your job search. If you want to find a great job quickly, you must commit to 40 hours a week of effective job search effort.
10. Take care of yourself. Searching for a job is hard work. Investing six to eight hours per day can be physically and mentally exhausting. Occasionally, you will want to reward yourself and schedule time to go to the movies, work out at the gym, spend some time relaxing, work on your favorite hobby, or spend quality time with your family -- do something that makes you feel good. Appropriate self-care will go a long way to maintaining your momentum and motivation.