Attending your first career fair can be intimidating and you’ll want to be prepared. So what are recruiters looking for? Hint: It’s not a paper or digital copy of your resume. Recruiters are at career fairs to connect with real people and facilitate meaningful staffing solutions. Here are our tips for how you can be ready to shine at your next career fair.
Communication comes naturally to us in its most basic form, but for the job hunt and a career fair, you have to up your game. They want to see clearly articulated ideas, active listening, and eye contact. Focus on one person at a time and don’t allow your eyes or mind to wander. Recruiters want to see engaging conversations on meaningful topics and personable interactions.
Don’t get pigeonholed into checking the boxes of years of experience, skills, history, etc. Recruiters are looking for talent that can identify, connect with, and be a good fit for a positive company culture. The best, most experienced candidate with the worst potential for culture buy-in is the worst candidate.
Asking the right questions—and having answers for them—Shows preparedness and professionalism. It shows you invested time and energy in how you would present yourself and that you’re truly invested in a positive outcome. Make a list or use an AI tool like ChatGPT to help you think of and practice intentional meaningful questions. (See other ways to use AI in the job search here.)
Treat a career fair like a gourmet eatery, not like a fast food restaurant. Dropping your resume at every booth may do more harm than good, as volume isn’t always the goal. Recruiters want to see some level of knowledge and interest in their company and that you possess the skills that align with their network of clients before asking for a job.
Unless you’re a naturally outgoing, extroverted person, career fairs may not be your cup of tea. But don’t let that deter you from participating or being yourself. Be eager and positive when you engage recruiters and fellow candidates, listen intently to sessions, and take diligent notes. Be there to learn and add value, not just to “find a job.”
If you need help landing your next role in IT, let’s connect! IDR recruiters are award-winning professionals who Never Settle and Go All In for our candidates. Are you ready for the next chapter?