Job fair

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 10, 2015

It may feel awkward for you, but it's definitely worth investing your time. Prepare a lot of copies of your current resume which includes your contact information. Just tuck them into a folder and carry a bag large enough to hold the folder and leave your hands free. When you walk up to a booth, make eye contact with the people who are staffing it.

Introduce yourself & shake hands. Tell them you're interested in seeing what job opportunities they currently have. Once you have done that, they will usually begin to direct the conversation. They will normally ask you to fill out a contact sheet so that they can follow up with you. At this point, you can just pull out your resume and give this to them. Be sure to ask for their cards and any facility-specific information that they may have. Take the time to write down any interesting job details on the back of the card as a reminder to yourself. Put their cards & information in a designated place - in your bag or a pocket - so you don't misplace any of them.

After a job fair, you will normally receive a follow up from the 'general interest' booths within a week or so. If you talked about a specific job, you may hear from them much more quickly. There's no need for you to initiate a follow up unless you are following up on a specific job lead or opportunity.

You can do this. It may be awkward, but you'll improve with practice.

lizgodawgs · Mar 10, 2015

Every job fair can be different. I've been to more than I can count (and I have friends in the HR world that have guided me tremendously)

1) Dress professionally and remain professional at all times (don't let casual convo fool you)

2) Bring at least 10 copies of your resume (never know who will ask for more than one)

3) Bring a folder to keep up with all of the information you are keeping or receiving

4) Be sure to look people in the eye when talking, smile and be polite

5) Firm handshakes show confidence...so practice this

6) Always ask if you should follow up with them or vice versa, as well as a timeline to hear back

7) Go with a specialty/area in mind...no one likes talking to someone who says "I'll take anything" because it shows you want someone else to figure your career out for you. Always have a type of plan of some sort

9) Try to do some digging before the event and find info on some of the companies you may be interested in. If they find out you did some research instead of just showing up, they will be impressed with your initiative (this definitely helped me out)

10) Yeah your experience and skills are important, but you'd be surprised at the personality questions you'll more than likely receive. They want skills AND a good personality. And most times a lack of a good personality or attitude will cause you to miss out on an opportunity. So smile :)

At the end of the day, they need you as much as you need them, or else they wouldn't be at a job fair..so keep that in mind

anewsns · Mar 11, 2015

I'm definitely not going to be prepared or have enough time to go tomorrow , but .. I do need people to see my face , I know that ..these tips were all really good ! This hospital has frequent job fairs , I'm definitely going to be ready for the next one

anewsns · Apr 8, 2015

I'm going to a different job fair an hour north . I would take a job there as it appears an excellent place to work . I'm pretty confident in my face to face skills but still nervous! Wish me luck