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A job fair is an event for many companies within a certain geographical location to meet and recruit potential candidates in one convenient location - usually a large hotel or exhibition centre.

The job fair will offer job hunters the chance to go to a "one-stop shopping mall" that offers representatives from 50-100 companies who are searching for pre-employment (internship) or full-time job candidates. The representatives will usually offer information about general career opportunities as well as specific vacancy information to visitors. Often, they will also conduct on-the-spot interviews should they find an appropriate candidate.

So why go? Whether you are actively looking for a job or merely browsing around for opportunities, the job fair is an extremely good opportunity for you to meet with a lot of companies (usually big ones) who are in the market of hiring. On top of that, it is usually free to job applicants and the event allows you to check out many options in a very short frame of time and in one location.

Other benefits include the ability to gain valuable interview experience, increase your chances of interviewing with an employer (and not just be another CV in their overflowing inbox), receive job search advice from seasoned recruiters and develop your network of contacts.

How to prepare
Because there will be hundreds, if not thousands of others who will be hunting for prospects in the same event, it is always prudent to prepare yourself fully. Firstly, review the list of companies attending the job fair and filter down a selection of companies you would be interested to meet (realistically, you will be unable to meet all the companies there, anyway!). Research these companies on the job fair website or the companies’ respective career websites.

Next, set out your strategy for working the job fair. Prioritise the employers you will want to speak to, identify the kind of information you will require from them and specify your objectives for attending the job fair. With that in mind, you can now review your resume against these objectives and refine it to best reflect the capabilities for your intended job. Make sure it is as current as possible and check it twice for spelling errors or grammatical mistakes. Then, make at least 20-30 copies - if you are intending to meet more employers than that, make enough copies for them and an additional 10 more, in case you meet other interesting prospects.

Another important tip is to develop a quick yet concise 1-2 minute "pitch" for yourself. Think of it as your own commercial where you are the product that you are trying to sell to companies. It should introduce yourself, express why you are interested in the company or job area, and briefly relate your background to the company's vacancy requirements or industry area. In addition to that, you should also prepare four to five questions to ask companies to answer the questions that you will need answered to help you decide if they are right for you.

Now the obvious: Dress professionally for the event. Even though it may not be a proper interview and office environment, impressions do not count any less in a job fair. They are still potential employers who are seeking to find the most impressive candidates from among thousands.

In this article, we shall discuss about the nitty-gritty of what to do at a job fair and after it is over.

First of all, arrive early so you can scope out the place and avoid getting flustered. From your preparation, you would have worked out a priority list on which companies you will like to meet. At the fair, you will see a layout plan for the company booths at the entrance - if not from the fair website, already. You may need to readjust your plan according to what is logical based on the layout, so take a note of it.

With this plan, start making your way through the booths. Avoid just picking up brochures and dropping off your CV at the booths. Take time to talk to your selected employers - even if there are many other people crowding around the booth. If it is not yet your time to talk, take the opportunity to listen to what others are asking the recruiters, you will often get very sound advice and good insight into the company.

Should you be able to meet the recruiter personally, show enthusiasm and interest. Give a firm handshake, maintain eye contact and run through your prepared "pitch" for yourself. Let the employers know that you're serious about seeking out opportunities with them and take the opportunity to get answers to the questions you prepared.

Use your research to appear confident and knowledgeable about the company. Recruiters are often impressed with people who have done their homework - it shows conscientiousness and motivation. The question to avoid is, "What do you do?" If you have to ask, the recruiter will feel that you're just wasting their time. Instead, ask questions about the opportunities available, what they are looking for in a successful candidate, what the recruitment process is etc. (Avoid asking questions about salary as it is too premature at this point.) Be prepared to discuss what exactly it is you are looking for in an opportunity, where you are willing to work and what your most relevant skills are. Use the short time you have with a recruiter to give them as good an impression of you as possible and get as much valuable information out of them in return.

Ask they if are accepting resumes, and if so, leave yours with them. Before you leave, pick up any company recruitment brochure available and make sure you also get the recruiter's business card as you will want to follow up on interesting leads.

During the entire job fair, you will likely be waiting in line at various points in time. If so, use the opportunity to network with others. Make new contacts and look out for information that they got about companies they met. You may find out about some companies that were not on your original list, but sound interesting enough to consider.

Finally, leaving the fair is not the end of the entire process. Your post-fair actions are just as important as during the event. With the business cards you have collected and the notes you have made, you should write or email personal “thank you” notes to each of the recruiters you met. This is not only courtesy, but gives the recruiter the impression that you are really serious about the opportunity and that you appreciated their time. Make note of any particular conversation you had about the opportunity and that will really put you on top of the pile!

With that, you're ready to rock and roll!