Story by Christy Weis
A career fair can be a useful way to gather information about organizations you are interested in, learn about job opportunities, and gather feedback to help make yourself a stronger applicant. Read on to learn more about how to make the most of your career fair attendance.
While you don’t need to wear a full suit and tie, you don’t want to appear too casual either. First impressions count. Think clean jeans and a nice shirt, or business casual attire. Dress for success!
If you know a little about the organizations that will be at a career fair, you’ll be better able to plan out your day and make the most of your time. Visit their website, social channels, or read relevant articles to gather information ahead of time. When you get to the career fair, you can dive deeper in your conversations with potential employers and start to determine if the organization is the right fit for you.
Have a list of questions, or at least questions in mind to help focus the conversation with organizational representatives at the career fair. Think of the career fair as an informational interview. This can be a great chance to learn about things like organizational culture, the hiring process, and finding jobs that match your criteria. To help you get started, think about what kind of job you are looking for, what your qualifications are, or the geographic location that you are interested in.
Searching for a job can be tough. Many organizations, including AHS, only accept job applications through their online system and cannot offer you a job on the spot. That said, the representatives can help you understand the hiring process, offer tips and feedback to guide you in your search, or give you insight into what it’s really like to work for the organization. Remember, the representatives at the booth are people too. You’ll get much more out of the experience if you are positive, courteous, and ready to learn.
