The Kentucky Office of Employment and Training (OET) sponsors and participates in Job and Career fairs throughout the year. Job and Career Fairs are a great opportunity for job seekers to network and explore employment and career options, however, they can be intimidating. Prior preparation will enable you to be confident and allow you to concentrate on presenting yourself and your qualifications to the employer under the most favorable circumstances.  At a Job and Career Fair, company representatives are there to present information about their company and its job opportunities. It is up to you to introduce yourself and describe your employment goals. Review the tips below to get the most out of every job or career fair you attend.

Do Your Homework

Get a list of participating employers before you attend a job and career fair. Prepare by doing some research so that you will know something about the companies before you get to the fair.  There are several web-sites designed to allow you to obtain insider profiles of companies in almost every major industry. http://www.vault.com  &  http://www.WetFeet.com

Know Your Goals and Objectives

When asked what you are looking for in a job, be prepared to explain your goals and objectives.  Avoid a "what does the job pay, what are the fringe benefits, when do I get a vacation" attitude. Company Recruiters are there to recruit employees who will be interested and committed to the types of jobs they have to offer.  Hiring and training new employees is a big expense for companies; if you portray yourself as being strictly interested in the salary, it may cause the recruiter to reconsider whether you are a good choice for their job opening.

Resumes & Business Cards

You should provide a job objective on your resume, however, an objective should not be defined when you will use a general resume version for a variety of companies and positions. A general resume will suffice for some jobs, but it is best to develop different resumes tailored for specific types of jobs in which you may be interested. If you have multiple versions you may want to organize your resumes in a folder so that you can easily select the appropriate one for the job you are inquiring about. Personalized business cards with your name, address, telephone number and your area of expertise are good to have when job hunting.

To ensure that you bring an appropriate number of resumes and business cards, try to find out before the fair how many companies will be represented.  It is always best to bring more than you think you may need.  Some recruiters may want extra copies of your resume to forward to different divisions or departments within their company.  You may also find it useful to use business cards when networking with other job seekers at the fair. Remember to review your resumes prior to the fair to make sure that they are accurate and current.  Review for correct grammar and spelling......do not rely on spell-check!

Be Professional in Dress and Attitude

Dress professionally! You want your first impression to convey that you are serious about finding employment.  Few aspects of the job interview are more important to the impression you create than your appearance.  An employer may consider you if you’re in business casual, but professional attire gives you a winning edge and reflects your motivation. No matter what position you are applying for, sneakers, jeans, shorts, t-shirts, and chewing gum are not acceptable. Present a professional demeanor and appearance!

Go Early - Go Alone

It is always preferable to attend a job fair early. Usually the first hour or two is the slowest time  and employers will be able to spend more time with you. Allow yourself  sufficient time to go through and talk to the company representatives. Arriving half an hour before the career fair ends does not give you enough time to visit all the representatives. And there is always the possibility that some company representatives may leave early.  Also, you should not bring children along. This could indicate to the company recruiter that you may have child care issues that could cause you to have problems at work because of it.

Visit all Company Representatives

Make sure you pick up a list of the employers participating and visit all of them. Don’t assume a company has no positions for you! A hospital may be looking for marketing staff, and a manufacturer may be hiring a network administrator. Check with temporary or specialized agencies to see what companies they represent – you may find the company you wish to work for is represented by one of them.

Business Cards

Get a business card from the company representative, this allows you to address follow-up calls and letters to a specific person. Take the time to make a few notes on the back of the card about what you discussed. When you talk to the representative again, you will be able to refresh their memory of you by saying, "we were talking about systems analyst opportunities."  This is also a good time to give the recruiter your business card.

Network with Other Job Seekers

Take time to talk to other job seekers while attending the fair. The person behind you may have turned down a position that you would find interesting, or their present job may be at a company you’re interested in. Persons who network fill more jobs than any other recruitment means. You will get and give ideas.

Need to Update Your Resume and Interview Skills? Contact your local Kentucky Office of Employment and Training (OET) office. OET offices are a great resource to the employed and unemployed in your job search. Resume and interview workshops, career counseling, testing, computers, job referrals, and job postings are just a few of the services offered at no cost to you. If you feel you need help in your job search, contact the office nearest you or browse our Web site's Virtual Workshop Center and other job search related information