How to Turn a Job Fair into a Job Offer
Employers need good workers and workers need good jobs. A job fair brings employers and job
hunters together, face to face. If you attend one, you could meet dozens of recruiters, all in one
place!
Before the job fair
1. Research the employers.
When you register online, you’ll often get a list of employers who will recruit at the job fair. Look over
the list. See who’s recruiting.
Decide which employers interest you. Then, visit their web sites. Find out who they are, what they do,
and why you might want to work there. With this knowledge you’ll be able to talk intelligently with
recruiters at the job fair and impress them.
Don’t just rely on picking up company literature and reading it at the fair. In many cases, you’ll talk with
the recruiter before you have a chance to read their pamphlets.
2. Update and polish your resume.
Create a separate resume for each job you want. For example, if you want a chef’s job, create a chef’s
resume. If you would also accept a cook’s job, create a cook’s resume too.
Bring several copies of each resume to the fair. Carry your resumes in a simply manila folder to keep
them clean.
3. Dress for success.
•
•
•
•
First impressions are important. Dress conservatively, in the clothes you’d wear on the job.
Managers should wear business suits.
Office and retail workers should wear dress clothes.
Trades people should wear work clothes.
Revised: 10/19/15
Make sure you look clean, neat, and well groomed. Have pressed clothes, polished shoes, clean and
trimmed fingernails, fresh breath, minimal cologne or perfume, conservative makeup, and minimal
jewelry. Oh, rub a littler antiperspirant on your hands for a nice dry handshake.
4. Practice your handshake.
Engage the full hand, palm to palm. Grip firmly, but don’t crush. Look the other person in the eye. Smile.
Pump two or three times and release.
5. Prepare your “sales pitch.”
A sales pitch is a short speech. It’s a “sound bite” that sells you to recruiters. Keep your sales pitch
around 15 seconds long.
Here’s a simple four-step plan with an example:
1. Give your name.
2. Mention your profession, occupation, or the job you’re looking for.
3. State your experience, skills, and accomplishments. If it’s true, mention that everyone’s been
happy with your work.
4. Offer your USP (Unique Selling Point). It’s what sets you apart from the competition—it’s what
makes you special.
Sample Sales Pitch
1. “Hi, my name is Mason Stone.”
2. I’ve been an apprentice stone mason for the past two summers, and I’ve learned both wet and
dry masonry.”
3. “I’ve built walkways, terraces, retaining walls, and patios for residential customers. Everyone’s
been very happy with my work.”
4. “As a matter of fact, my boss said I’m the fastest learner she has ever trained. Now I’mm looking
for a full-time junior masonry job.”
Be sure to practice your sales speech.
Practice out loud in front of a mirror.
Practice out loud with family or a friend.
Practice until it rolls off your tongue.
5. Questions to expect from recruiters, with sample answers.
Below are just a few questions a recruiter may ask you. Look over the questions and answers. You’ll
want an automatic answer for each question.
Revised: 10/19/15
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
“Can you tell me a little about yourself?”
This is probably the first thing the recruiter will ask. Answer by reciting your sales pitch.
“Tell me about your skills.”
Use your fingers to count off the top four or five skills. Finally, offer a short example of how you
used each skill.
“Why did you decide to become a (puzzle maker)?”
You probably have a great reason for choosing your line of work. Tell your story. Include details
and use body language to bring your story to life.
“What do you know about our company?”
Forty percent of people interviewed don’t know a thing about the company they want to work
for. So, make sure you do. Before you go to a job fair, visit the fair’s web site. Review the list of
employers who will recruit at the fair. Select the companies you want to talk to. Then, visit each
company’s web site. Find out who they are, what they do, and why you want to work there.
“Why do you want to work for us?”
Here are some honest answers: You shop there. You use their products. You have a friend or
relative who works there. You’ve heard good things about the company (be ready to offer two
or three examples of the good things you’ve heard).
“What motivates you to do a good job?”
Money is not a good answer. Instead, try this—“Having responsibilities and getting a pat on the
back when the job is done right.”
“Tell me about your proudest accomplishment.”
Go ahead, tell your story.
“What are your career goals?”
If you plan to make a career in this industry—say so. It’s an important
selling point.
Questions to ask recruiters.
Here are a few standard questions to ask the recruiter. Add a few questions of your own.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
“Could you describe the ideal person for this job?”
“Can you describe a typical day for someone working in my position at your company?”
“What are the major challenges the new hire will face in this job?”
“How soon do you plan to fill this job?”
“What do you like most about working for your company?”
“Can you describe the company culture and management style?”
“How many people are in the department?”
Revised: 10/19/15
•
•
“What kind of training to you offer?”
“What’s the next step? How can I arrange a job interview?”
6. Questions not to ask at a job fair.
•
•
•
“What’s the pay range for this position?”
(Save this question for the actual interview.)
“What about benefits and vacation time?”
(These items are usually explained when the hiring manager offers you a job.)
“Can you tell me about your company?”
(This question show that you haven’t done your homework.)
At the job fair
1. Develop your game plan.
Arrive early. Get a list of the employers and, if possible, a map of the booths. Pan your order of attack.
Some experts recommend practicing on less-desirable employers before hitting your top targets. Other
experts recommend visiting your top choices first—before the recruiters get tired and the lines get long.
Do what works best for you. Later in the day, be sure to return to your top choices to thank the
recruiters, restate your interest, and make yourself memorable.
If name tags are available, wear one. It will help the recruiter put a face with the name on your resume.
2. Give yourself a pep talk.
This is important: Job recruiters want you. If they didn’t need employees, they wouldn’t be at the fair.
So, don’t be shy about introducing yourself to the recruiter.
3. Start talking, start wowing.
You’ll only have a few minutes to wow each recruiter, especially if there’s a long line. So, make the
conversation interesting, short, and memorable—
•
•
•
Offer your hand shake.
Give your short “sales pitch.”
Answer the recruiter’s questions.
Revised: 10/19/15
•
Ask a few questions to keep the conversation rolling.
4. End with a request.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Say that you are interested in the position.
Give the recruiter your resume.
Ask for the recruiter’s business card.
Ask for an interview with the hiring manager. (Often, the recruiter screens applicants and send
the best to the hiring manager for a full interview.)
Ask, “How should I follow up with you, and when?”
Take notes on what the recruiter says. Don’t rely on your memory.
BE SURE TO GET A BUSINESS CARD FROM EVERY
COMPANY THAT INTERESTS YOU!
A business card will have to recruiter’s name, phone
number, email, and mailing address—everything you need
to stay in touch once the job fair is over.
5. Make a good impression.
Do…
…Shake the recruiter’s hand, look him or her in the eye, and smile.
…Be professional, enthusiastic, and courteous.
…Show a litter humor. Let your personality shine through.
…Think of your conversation as a mini interview—because that’s what it is.
Don’t…
…Be shy or stiff.
…Ramble, fidget, or slouch.
…Say anything negative about yourself, your former company, boss, or coworker—or anyone for that
matter.
…Chew gum, eat, or sip a beverage at the recruiting booths.
6. Network with everyone.
Talk to other job hunters while waiting in line, walking around, or while on a coffee break. Ask a
question to break the ice and get a conversation started. Share information. You’ll make a friend.
Revised: 10/19/15
Trade resumes and stay in touch. Try to build a network of contacts who will let you know when they
spot an opportunity that looks perfect for you. Do the same for them.
What if…
…you haven’t researched a company that interests you?
Take some literature from the company’s booth. Go somewhere quiet and read it.
If there’s a line of job hunters at the company’s booth, read their literature while waiting in line.
You might also try eavesdropping on the people ahead of you to hear what the recruiter says.
…you want to talk to a recruiter, but you have to leave?
Recruiters leave plenty of business cards on their table or booth. Take the recruiter’s business card.
When you get home, send him or her a letter and a copy of your resume. Sell yourself—and ask for a job
interview.
…you start feeling “fair fatigue”
Have a cup of coffee or take a walk around the block to recharge.
TIP: Leave a lasting impression.
After you talk to the recruiter, walk away and write a short hand-written note, restating your interest
and qualifications. Attach the note to your resume, and put them in the employer’s “resume box.”
After the job fair
1. Follow up—make yourself memorable.
Think if the job fair as your first contact with employers, not your last. Successful job hunters do half
their work after the fair.
2. Thank the recruiters you met.
Most job hunters don’t write thank-you notes. So, make sure you do. A thank-you note shows the
recruiter that you really want the job. You’ll stand out because you are one of the few who made a
special effort.
Send a hand-written note and mail it through the Post Office. It’s more personal and memorable than an
email.
Write your note as soon as you get home from the job fair and get it in the mail. A quick response tell
the recruiter that you are an attentive and hard-working person.
Revised: 10/19/15
In your note—
•
•
•
•
•
•
Thank the recruiter for speaking with you.
Some recruiters attend lots of job fairs. So, mention which job fair you attended and the
position you are interested in.
Refresh the recruiter’s memory by mentioning something specific you discussed at the fair.
Summarize your qualifications.
Restate your wish for an interview and attach another copy of your resume.
If you forgot to mention an important selling point at the job fair, now’s your chance to mention
it.
Sample thank-you note:
Lemme Dooit
123 Hereicome road
Anytown, US 98765
(456)765-9976
[email protected]
January 2, 20xx
Ms. Ida Hireu
Recruitment Specialist
WatchMe Cable Television
123 Joboffer Way
Anytown, US 98756
Dear Ms. Hireu:
Thank you for speaking with me at the WannaWork Job Fair today. We discussed the customer service opportunities at
WatchMe Cable Television.
You may recall that I worked part-time as a customer service representative for CallMe Cell Phones. I resolved customer
problems quickly, completely, and courteously, I also received excellent evaluations from my supervisor. After talking to you, I
know that the same skills would benefit WatchMe’s customers.
I look forward to taking the next step and meeting with WatchMe’s customer service manager.
I will contact you next week to see if we can schedule an interview.
Thanks again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Lemme Dooit
Revised: 10/19/15
3 Write to everyone else.
Mail a letter and resume to the recruiters you didn’t talk to, but whose business cards you took.
Also, send an email to all the job hunters you met at the fair. Ask if they know someone who’s hiring
people in your occupation. Offer to help them when you hear of something. Keep in mind that eighty
percent of all job openings are not advertised—most people get jobs because a friend recommended
them.
4 Keep your applications in motion.
Follow the recruiters’ instructions for setting up interviews. If a recruiter told you to g online and fill out
a job application, do it. When you apply, write that you met the recruiter at the job fair. Then email the
recruiter to tell her you applied online as she requested.
5
Add a little persistence.
Remember all those business cards you collected?
Here’s how to put them to work—
Every other week or so, send each recruiter a short note and another copy of your resume. Let them
know that you are still available and that you are still interested in working for them.
Keep in mind that jobs open up all the time. Some people decline job offers. Other people don’t work
out and management replaces them. Plus, people get promoted, retire, or quite their jobs.
So, stay in touch. Become the first person they think of when something new opens up.
Here’s a great piece of wisdom from a professional salesperson—“It’s often the fifth or sixth letter,
phone call, or email that gets the sale!”
Revised: 10/19/15