Oh how nice it would be to have a crystal ball that foretold the future sometimes. Imagine looking into the crystal ball, seeing a negative upcoming situation, and then deciding to just stay home in your pjs that day instead. Forrest Gump hit the nail on the head when he said, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.” The reality is that you will never know how the day will play out exactly or precisely which chocolates come in which boxes; but, like a box of chocolates, if you do your research you will have a good idea of the types of chocolates typically included in each box. Thus, if you do your research, you will know generally what to expect at a hiring fair too.

First, know that job fairs are typically abuzz with eager, enthusiastic job seekers; thus, be prepared to wait in a lineup. The lineup may be inside or outside, so prepare yourself as if you would be waiting outside, to be on the safe side. There will likely be a registration table where you will be required to fill out a registration form. This form is for the event organizers to collect data about the event including how many people attended, from where were these people coming, from where they learned about the event, etc. Next, you will walk into a room where employers will be stationed at tables adorned with their company’s logo for quick identification. There may be people lined up already to speak with an employer that you are interested in, so you may have to wait a few minutes for the employer and applicant to wrap up their discussion. When you get to the front of the line, you will have a small window of opportunity to shine; so, ensure you have your 30 second commercial rehearsed and ready. Your 30 second commercial should include information about your related work experience, your education and training, and perhaps a common value or two. Be vibrant and lively. Think about how many people the employer will see during the day. If you approach the employer like the walking dead, you will not be remembered…or you’ll be remembered for the wrong reasons. Before you walk away from the employer, ensure you get a business card so that you can follow up. And, make sure you thank the employer for taking the time to chat with you, and that you will be in contact soon. Then, you may repeat this process with a few more employers, depending on whether or not you are interested in others. One final note, approach your least preferred employer first to work out any kinks in your 30 second commercial and ease your nerves. By the time you get to your most preferred employer, you will be speaking confidently and hopefully stand out amongst all your competition, ultimately landing your next great job.

Thanks for following our weekly blog posts all year. By this time, you’re likely so knowledgeable about job search that you could work at Fraser Works Co-op! If we had a crystal ball, it would tell us that 2016 is going to be a very prosperous year for you and that you are going to find your dream job very soon. Cheers!