No resume. Showing up to a career fair without a resume is like showing up to a college bar without an ID. There’s no point. Take some time to put together a thorough and professional resume and print it on fancy paper. The return on investment of doing this is enormous.

20 copies

When you attend the career fair, one of the most important items you should have with you is your resume. This can be a general resume that outlines your work experience, educational background and your skills.

To make prep work manageable, pick three to five employers you want to focus on and do your homework. Read up on company news, follow the organizations on social media, and see whether they’ve posted any entry-level jobs online.

Don’t skip it.

1. Get a Suit and Make Sure It Fits.
2. Go to Pre-Career Fair Networking Events.
3. Make Your Resume Stand Out…
4. Make Some Sweet-Ass Business Cards.
5. Do Your Freakin’ Research.
6. Introduce Yourself Like You’re the Next Mark Zuckerberg.
7. Practice on Companies You Don’t Care About.
8. Write Everything Down.

7 Kinds of Questions to Ask at a Career Fair to Make a Great Impression

• Ask About a Particular Role.
• Ask About the Hiring Process.
• Ask About Their Experience.
• Ask About Growth and Development.
• Ask About the Company’s Products, Services, or Recent News.
• Ask About Company Culture.
• Ask How You Can Stay in Touch.

When introducing yourself at a job fair, consider following these tips:

1. Dress professionally.
2. Research in advance.
3. Keep personal belongings in check.
4. Use positive body language.
5. Approach booths alone.
6. Remember the GNAP acronym.
7. Deliver the elevator pitch.
8. Extend the conversation.

Prepare a few talking points. So think of an “elevator pitch” about yourself—a short overview about your background, studies, and career goals. Practice with a friend or family member so you’re ready when it’s time to introduce yourself to a recruiter.

So as you can see, even though job fairs are regarded as the least effective job-search method, they can still be very beneficial to employers and companies. The key is finding a targeted job fair specific to your industry so you can get in contact with a pool of qualified candidates.

The truth is, job fairs are largely a waste of time. Companies go to job fairs because HR clearly has nothing better to spend its money on. They send greenhorn HR reps to collect resumes or to direct people to the website. You could do better standing on a street corner handing out your resume.

8 Questions To Ask Employers At A Career Fair

• What career paths are available in your organization?
• What is your hiring process like for college hires?
• When will I know if I have a job offer at your company?
• Do you offer training or mentoring to help me succeed in your company?
• Who will I report to?

A career fair is an event that gives students and employers a chance to meet one another, establish professional relationships, and discuss potential job and/or internship opportunities. Many employers from a variety of industries attend, and there are both general and specialized career fair events.

Since career fairs do still exist, there are some it makes sense for job seekers to attend. If there’s a specific company you’re interested in working for or getting your foot in the door with, it makes sense for you to spend your time attending their own career fair.

Start with a firm handshake and tell them your name, what you are studying, and year in school. Tell them you are glad to have the opportunity to talk with them about your career interests, and how your experience might fit in with their companies.

Making Conversations Count at a Career Fair

1. Research the companies.
2. Practice introducing yourself with family or friends to get your handshake and delivery to its best point.
3. Jot down questions you plan to ask and review them the night before the event.
4. Think of questions you may be asked and what your answers will be.

The following are some questions you may wish to consider asking when networking with individuals or potential employers.

• What are your primary job responsibilities?
• What experience did you have to get your job?
• How long have you worked here?
• What is your own background and experience?
• What is a typical work day like?

• 27 Most Common Job Interview Questions and Answers.
• “Tell me a little about yourself.”
• “What are your biggest weaknesses?”
• “What are your biggest strengths?”
• “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
• “Out of all the candidates, why should we hire you?”
• “How did you learn about the opening?”
• “Why do you want this job?”