Keys to Driving Your Career Fair Success

By Murray A. Mann and Rose Mary Bombela-Tobias
Co-authors, Barron's The Complete Job Search Guide for Latinos
www.JobSearchGuideforLatinos.com

Unfortunately, many professionals write off career fairs as a means of finding a job. Yet, according to a recent SHRM/Career Journal Poll Search Tactics Survey, over 70 percent of human resources departments rely on job fairs to recruit employees. They are not only great events for identifying employment opportunities, but also, for expanding your network, honing your interview skills, learning industry information, gathering information about companies, and collecting business cards.

In recent years, niche career fairs have grown in popularity, particularly diversity job fairs. There are numerous job search relatedmeetings in your career specialty or in your specific industry. Great resources for these forums are Hispanic / Latino professional association career conferences. Most fairs also prominently feature workshops to assist job seekers on how to improve their search. You can find career activities listed at iHispano.com's Calendar of Events.

Below is a comprehensive roadmap on how to effectively navigate career fairs to turn them into interviews and job offers.

Your Career Fair Checklist

Listed below are suggestions to help you make the most of your career conference experience. You may only have time to follow some of this advice. The PRIMARY KEY is that you are proactive by attending career conferences and network.

PRE-REGISTER

• Many diversity job fairs are free if you submit your resume and complete the registration form. This will eliminate one line you will have to wait in.

PREPARATION

• Research the employers who are attending. Check exhibitor websites to learn more about the company, its products, services, etc.
• Map a strategy for working the fair. Determine which employers are a priority for you to visit.
• Bring more résumés than you think you need and industry targeted versions (if you have them). See our article H.I.S.P.A.N.I.C. RÉSUMÉS GENERATE JOB INTERVIEWS for résumé writing advice.
• Take your Career Portfolio (if you have one). These portfolios should include copies of your résumés, samples of your best work, testimonials, evaluations, and a list of references. While most career fair interviews are fairly short, there may be opportunities for discussing your portfolio with a recruiter -- either over a short break or during a second interview on-site.
• Think about printing networking business cards with pertinent contact information on one side and a focused mini résumé on the other.
• Carry a folder, portfolio,professional tote or briefcase to keep your resumes neat, with space to keep the business cards, collected materials, and a pad of paper or electronic organizer/PDA for notes.
• Dress professionally as you would for an interview and wear comfortable shoes.
• Write and practice a 30 second to 2 minute introductory sales pitch/elevator speech/commercial about you. First impressions are critical.

  Example: Hand the recruiter a copy of your resume and be prepared to expand on it quickly! Share basic information about yourself and your career interests like this: "Hello, My name is Marisol Quinones. I have a BA in Business Administration with three years of progressive experience as an account representative with XYZ Corporation in New York. I'd like to talk with about the senior bilingual marketing positions that your organization is recruiting for." As you can see from my resume, I have completed the following professional education courses in . . . "

• Prepare company-specific questions you want employers to answer. Asking good questions demonstrates your interest in working for the company.

  Examples: Can you tell me more about your marketing management training program? What are the career paths in your marketing department? What are the steps in your interview and selection process?

• Prepare Latino-specific questions you want Latino, minority or female company representatives to answer. Asking these questions will help you assess how Latino friendly the employer is, points of access to get your foot in the door, and the interview process.

Examples: Do you have a Hispanic or minority employee network? What are the best strategies I can use to improve my chances of getting an interview? Is there someone I can speak with in the business unit I am interested in to get more detailed information on position X or future employment opportunities? What is the profile of the Latino candidates who are hired and retained for this position?

and

You can ask more thorough questions and receive more informative answers on hiring. What are the steps in your interview and selection process? What interview formats do you use (i.e. panel, progressive, behavioral – see Interviewing)?

• Get plenty of sleep so you are rested and energized for the fair. Eat a good meal to keep your energy up. Keep some mints with you – nothing destroys confidence faster than worrying about whether your breath is fresh.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

• Arrive early, check in, review the directory and floor plan, walk the exhibit area to get a feel for the conference, and revise your strategy if necessary.
• Be confident, display a winning attitude, and stay focused.
• Visit the Career Help Center booths to get résumé-writing advice or interviewing tips.

DURING THE CAREER FAIR

• Start with your priority employers. Many people get stuck in the stampede at the front. Make your way to where there are representatives waiting for someone to appear.
• Be efficient. If you see a booth that has a lot of people at it, don't wait for your turn to talk to the recruiter – simply move on to another booth and go back later, or grab the representative's business card and call them after the job fair.
• Conduct yourself professionally at all times, remember that you could be making impressions when you are standing in line or walking the fair.
• Do not assume a company does not have open positions in your field. Instead, ask what positions they have available now and anticipate in the future.
• Don't judge a booth by its cover. Some of the best opportunities may be at the booths that don't have the nicest looking display. If no other job seekers are present, this is a great opportunity to talk one-on-one with the recruiter. You also stand a better chance of being remembered.
• Observe recruiters from a distance or while you are waiting in line. Once you've scoped out the kind of person you're about to face, you can mentally prepare for the interview or conversation that you're about to have. Watching the job seekers in line ahead of you will give you some idea of what to expect.
• Make personal connections. Approach exhibitors with a smile while making direct eye contact and offering a full, firm handshake. Introduce yourself as you practiced earlier. Express your interest by demonstrating knowledge of the organization. Relate your skills, professional interests and experiences to specific needs of the employer. Relax and speak slowly and confidently. Listen carefully and ask relevant questions about the company and the positions. Ask what they look for in an ideal job candidate. This is not the time to ask salary related questions. Make a human connection.
• Before you leave the booth, get appropriate contact information, request a business card, and ask the representative what the next step is, how to follow up, etc.
• Take notes on the back of the recruiter's business card, your note pad, or electronic organizer. Write down important details about the company, including names of people who may not have had business cards. Take a few minutes after you leave each table to jot down these notes!
• Use the career fair to polish your interviewing skills. Pay close attention to the popular questions that you may not have anticipated and prepare answers to those questions in future interviews.
• Network with other job seekers and Hispanic professional associations. Talk to others while you are standing line to exchange job-hunting ideas, provide support, and identify employment leads.
• Visit the Career Help Center booths for a resume critique, career management advice, and job search assistance, and interviewing coaching.
• Take a break to review the literature you have picked up and identify additional questions you may have.
• Before leaving the career fair, head back to the booths where you have some interest. Remind the recruiter of your interest. Thank the recruiter for his or her time, and be clear that you'll be in touch soon. Your follow-up contact demonstrates professionalism. There is a good chance that you will leave a lasting impression that will serve you well.

AFTER THE CAREER FAIR

• Immediately send a thank you note and reconfirm interest in the position and company. If possible, address the company's hiring needs, your qualifications, and express your desire for a second interview.
• Send a letter(s) to the company's Hispanic Network, EEO/AA Manager, and/or VP of Diversity as well as other contacts you have made at the company. Attach a copy of your résumé and any thank you notes you sent to company staff.
• Within a week, follow up with a well-rehearsed phone call, unless you were specifically instructed not to.