Job Fairs are like testing the waters before actually taking the plunge. They provide the youngsters, particularly the first-timers, a rare window to test their skills and do a reality check – particularly to get to know where they exactly stand.
With many organizations, particularly IT and BPO companies, conducting Job Fairs on a regular basis these days, it’s like a win-win situation for both. Every organization likes to recruit the best of the talent available while the young aspirants too are looking to clinch the best possible deal, be it a decent job, pay package or perhaps both. And, this gives the best opportunity for the young aspirants to check out what is in store for them. With many top firms setting up their counters at one place, potential candidates will get an opportunity to know what is on the offer. You never know an opportunity might be waiting for you to be grabbed. So it’s always worthy enough to give a best try!
Face-to-face contact opportunity with a potential employer is a unique experience. And with so many top-notch recruiters attending job fairs to meet new candidates, it’s important to take advantage of each experience, say experts. So, just drop in, check out the offers, do a pleasant talking with the company representatives at each table, and, don’t forget to give your resume… Well, you may find your first job without much of the effort!
Mind you, it’s easy said than done! But Job Fairs are always worth giving a try. Many a time it happens that you are not yet ready to take up job, but able to find one, though it may not be really to your expectations. Here lies the cliché. One job aspirant who just walked in to get to know things, landed in a decent job. Now the problem is whether to take it or to wait for a better chance. As the saying goes, A bird in hand worth two in the bush! That young girl has decided to drop out of her Chartered Accountancy course to take up the bank job she got selected for.
R Kirtana, who happened to be the lucky one in this case, just took a chance, and she ended up choosing banking as her profession. She finished her MBA and was doing her CA when this turnaround happened. Now Kirtana has no regrets. “I thought taking up the bank job was a wise decision instead of pursuing my CA course at that time. And CA is not easy to complete. So, I opted for banking job,” she summed up. Almost three years into her job, she was more than happy with her choice. It cannot happen to everyone, but nothing wrong in giving it a try.
Job Fairs will also help in zeroing in on your choice since you happened to meet a variety of companies at the fair. This happens particularly for the Engineering graduates, who are having a number of options these days. They may choose a hard-core engineering job or an IT job. Even in IT you always have this opportunity to choose the desired field, which will give you an added advantage.
Here are some additional ways to get the most out of attending a job fair. Doing things in a planned manner is the first thing every youngster should learn to do, if he is getting ready to apply for a job. It begins with Job Fairs. Before attending the fair, the job aspirants should first gather details of the companies attending the fair. And it is important to know the profile of the company. With internet at your disposal, it’s not a difficult task these days. Just access the company’s website and check out the profile of the company. Do research of all the companies that are attending the fair. Look at their websites, read their press releases. Look for recent acquisitions that indicate that the company is growing, new products that have been introduced, or any other business news that gives you an idea of where the company is headed and how you can shape up your career there.
Put your tools together. Practice, practice and practice as hard as you can. Get together with a friend or family member and practice answering typical interview questions such as “Tell me about yourself,” or “What kind of position you are looking for?” Additionally, develop a list of questions you want to ask each company. One of the best ways to look prepared and professional is showing up with thoughtful, intelligent questions. And put in your best show during the Fair.
When you go to the career fair, you will undoubtedly see people walking around in jeans and T-shirts. Don’t be one of those people. A career fair is your chance to make a good first impression with a potential new employer. Wear a conservative dress, make sure you are well groomed, and carry your materials in a professional folder or portfolio.
Be confident and proactive at the job fair. The best way to make a lasting impression is by being aggressive. Approach the companies that interest you, make eye contact and introduce yourself with a firm handshake. Take the initiative and tell them about yourself and why you are interested in their company. Answer questions succinctly, with solid examples of your strengths and qualifications. Ask your prepared questions and listen intently to the answers. Tie in what you know about their company from your research to the type of job you are seeking.
The follow up part is also very crucial. Just like a job interview, it is important to follow up after a career fair. Using the business cards you collected, write letters to key company representatives. Thank them for taking the time to speak to you, reiterate your strengths, and let them know that you will call them to follow up in a couple of days. Then, be true to your word and call. Just make sure you don’t waste the opportunity you had at the career fair. Your due diligence afterwards can be as important as your preparation.
Crowded Job Fairs:
Job fairs are podiums where the prospective employers and employees meet with an intention to either get jobs or give jobs. Though job fairs provide you with an opportunity, the concept itself is debatable. Many a time it’s difficult to prove, that the fair has achieved the desired results, particularly in the number of recruitments that took place during the fair.
Far from traditional concept of calling for recruitments in the newspapers, screening the prospective candidates’ list and narrowing down the choices and calling them for interviews etc the traditional path followed in recruitment gives the aspirants a clear picture. But that’s not the case with Job Fairs. The Job Fairs have become more like expos with stalls and booths of various companies waiting for candidates to visit them. With several candidates crowded at the counters of the companies from morning till the end of the show, many desperate candidates fail to get an opportunity, meet the representatives in person to explain their potential. The congested atmosphere hardly gives any breathing space for the youngsters, forget about sitting and talking with the company representatives.
Many times the job fairs end up in a big chaos. And many desperate candidates returning home ruing about the lost opportunity. Some lucky ones will get the opportunity to leave their resumes on the table and then patiently have to wait for the interview call. However, most of these fairs are launched with good intentions. It is good to make most of the opportunity. Life is a big surprise. And you never know what is in store for you! So, give it a try and hope for the best.