Blog Post: Intelligent Handling of Job Fairs

The Jobing.com job fair is coming up again on Thursday, October 23rd, and it is time to talk about how to intelligently handle job fairs like this one.  After having observed job-seekers at dozens of these things, I have a few pieces of advice.  But before we go into that:  I know many of you are very frightened about the current financial mess our country has gotten itself into.  Don't be.  It will come out OK.  But if you would like to talk to a career professional about your job, we're happy to give you a free hour of career and stress counselling at no charge whatsoever. We're also happy to talk to you on the phone.  Please don't sit up nights worrying about this.  Call me instead.  I can be safely called until 11PM and my private cell phone is 720.581.4301.  No kidding and no scam...all of us have a responsibility to the community to help one another through this.  I await your calls and will be glad to help you see things in a different light.

1).  Go early in the day.  Even though they’re not supposed to exhibitors start to break down before the job fair is over.  Naughty of them, but there isn’t much that the sponsors can do about it if they want them back the next time.  So, heed the old saying about the early bird getting the worm and be there as the doors open, or, at least, within the first three hours of the fair.  I’ve never understood, however, why I would want to get a worm.

2).  Dress for the occasion.  Let’s be very clear about this.  You are dressing for a job interview, not a date.  And you are dressing for a job interview at a professional company, not auditioning for the local strip club.  But you wouldn’t know it from the truly outrageous outfits I’ve seen over the years.  It makes one wonder if people have mirrors!

Dress business/professional.  Guys, this means a nice, preferably dark, suit, well pressed shirt, tie, highly shined dress shoes and socks that cover the calf.  Women, this means a skirt suit or very nice and modest dress, nylons, make-up, closed toe shoes, modest blouse, and no bangles, dangles and jangles…only close fitting jewelry with only one ring only on one finger per hand.  Studies have shown women in pantsuits are a turnoff to employers, and more to female employers than male employers.

I’ve seen people wearing clothes where certain private areas left nothing to the imagination.  I’ve seen one loser wearing a Superman T-Shirt with major 70’s style gold chains.  I’ve seen people dressed for a day in the park rather than a job fair.  I’ve seen people in shorts and T-shirts that are ripped, nonetheless.

No flip-flops, take out piercings and cover your tattoos.  Dress to impress an employer.

3). Leave the kids at home!  I do not know what people are thinking when they bring their children with them to job interviews or career fairs.  Find someone to take care of them while you go about finding a job.  Children are fine in venues where children are supposed to be, but they are a real distraction at professional events and don’t belong there.  The only way you should bring your kids is if they’re also looking for a job!

4).  Bring plenty of résumés.  I can’t believe the number of people who come unprepared to these things by not bringing their résumés!  Bring at least 50 copies on nice paper and be prepared to leave some.  But don’t leave a résumé at every table.  Only leave one where there is a job you are qualified to do.

5).  Try not to look desperate.  They can smell fear on you and don’t want to hire you.  Look prosperous.  Buy a new suit and get your shoes shined.  Get a haircut.  If bearded, shave it or trim it.

6).  Walk once around the showroom to see who is there you might be interested in speaking with.  Then go to the top five first, even if you’re backtracking.  It would be tragic if the one company you really wanted to speak with had something happen and had to leave before you got the chance to speak to them.

7).  Beware of scams.  Jobing is very good at screening out scams, MLM, and other unsavory characters.  But job fairs are a good hunting ground for con men,  If someone offers you a free evaluation of your résumé, 9 times out of 10 you’re going to get high pressure sales to sign up for outplacement.

Look, there are many honest and ethical career professionals (including us) out there,  And there are times when using one of these can cut weeks or months off of your search, saving you tens of thousands of dollars.  But be wary of outrageous claims and smooth sales tactics.  You need a professional consultant, not a good salesperson.  Before you decide on an outplacement firm (or not to use one) feel free to call me and I’ll let you know what to ask them and what to look for.  I’m at 720.581.4301, which is my personal cell phone.  Please call between 11 AM and 11 PM.  I am not a morning person.

Beware of “work at home” scams and Multi-Level-Marketing scams, too.  There are some people who make money at both work-at-home companies and MLM, but they are few and far between.  Also watch out for “business opportunities.”  Again, if you aren’t sure, please feel free to call me and we’ll have some coffee and talk it out (there is no charge for this…I see it as part of my networking).  I’ve seen 90%+ of the employment scams out there.  The Jobing people are also good folks to ask about this.

8). Be prepared for an interview.  Some companies do the screening interview then and there.  Be prepared to answer the four Killer Questions: a). Tell me about yourself.  b). What are your greatest weaknesses?  c). What are your greatest strengths…and d). What is your worst failure and what did you learn from it?  In “Tell me about yourself” don’t start at the beginning of your life or review your résumé.  Use this to showcase your accomplishments.  Space does not permit me to help you much on this, but again, I welcome your call.

9). Beware ivory tower advice.  We get our program advice by the fact that a). I was a CEO of a personnel services company, and have “interimed” in many other companies, and b). We have an advisory board of five industry experts at the VP and “C” Levels who advise us and c). We have an advisory network of over 100 great folks at the “C” and VP levels who let us know what is going on out there.  We’re in the trenches.  Some advice is just off the top of people’s heads and can be just plain wrong.  Take everything you read or hear with a grain of salt until you check out the reputation of the person giving the advice.  Over 90% of our folks find employment rapidly (within 3 – 7 months, depending on level), and get an offer 3 out of 4 times they interview, while the average is 1 in 12.  Before believing any advice you’re given, whether you’ve paid for it or it is free, ask if the source of that advice has a solid track record.

10). Take business cards from everyone at the table of companies you’re interested in.  Resend the résumé as soon as you leave the job fair.  In fact, I seem to recall that there is a postal pick-up in the Convention Center.  Mail it then and there.  These people aren’t going to remember you.  They have thousands of résumés.  Make yours stick out.  Include a thank-you note for their kindness at the fair in speaking with you.  Again, call me if you need help with this.

These are a few ways to get through a job fair.  I strongly recommend you to Jobing.com’s job fairs.  They aren’t as fun as a day playing golf or at Disneyland , but they’re the least onerous of the job fairs in town, and produce some pretty impressive results.

I’m dead serious about the offer to call me if you have questions on these things.  I’m busy, but never too busy to answer a couple of questions.  The number is 720.581.4301.  I’ve thought of offering a pre-fair class on how to handle job fairs effectively.  If enough of you call me or write me at jheckers@heckersdevgroup.com, I’ll arrange it for a few days before the fair.  Good hunting!

 Life and Prosperity to you in jobs you love,

J.

We offer a free one-hour coaching session to our readers of this blog.  There is no charge and we do not try to sell you on our services unless you want to know about them.  Our only caveat is that you must not be working with another private transition coach (life coaches, or outplacement firms like Lee Hect Harrison are just fine). We follow our professional code of ethics and don't want to give conflicting advice if you already have a private coach.  Call me at 720,581.4301 or Nicole at 303.480.5484 for an appointment.