Five Step Guide to job fair success.

Step 1 – “Dress to Impress”. Dress as if you were going to an interview, this may be a suit for men or a well coordinated separates for women. Don’t leave the impression that your not interested.

Step 2 – Numbers really don’t matter. Don’t aimlessly hand out your resume. Be strategic. Also remember that some employers may require you to apply online.

Step 3 – Ask Questions. Use the limited time that you have before a recruiter to find out more information on their hiring process. Find out what they look for in an ideal candidate, how long does the process take, how many interviews might be required of the candidate, what are the educational requirements, and is there a test. Don’t be afraid to ask the recruiter about your chances of being considered.

Step 4 – Get that name. It is important to get the name and contact information (phone number & e-mail address) of the person that you speak with so that you know who to follow up with. They may not have business cards or brochures for every prospective candidate, but they do usually wear name tags. Address them by their name, and ask for the information if it is not available at their booth.

Step 5 – Network and follow up. Talk with other job seekers about how tips and tricks they have used or they may share a new resources that you could explore. And finally, follow up with any contacts you made with recruiters, but be careful not to be too aggressive or demanding.