Job Fairs: Are they a waste of your time?

Even in an economy where the unemployment rate is almost 10%, there still seems to be an abundant number of job fairs. However, what I have found after attending over 15 job fairs this summer is that the majority of job seekers attending do not feel it is worth their time. The main cause for this sentiment is that many employers will attend job fairs, even if their organization doesn't have any open positions. So, is attending a job fair where there are very few jobs available still worth attending? ABSOLUTELY!

The problem is that when people attend job fairs, they expect to actually find a job before they leave. This is not a realistic perspective. Even in a great economy, there are very few individuals that walk away from a job fair with a stronghold on any position. You need to change your mindset. A job fair can produce an extremely long list of contacts for future opportunities. Instead of walking in and expecting to get a job, use the time to meet all of the hiring managers there. Get their cards, network with them, learn about their business...all of these ideas are ways you may be able to land a job when a position does open within their company. After the job fair, email the hiring mangers you met and STAY IN TOUCH! Email them monthly to explore possible future openings. The more of these individuals you meet and stay in contact with, the more likely you are to find employment.

Next time you see a job fair listed, use it as an opportunity to meet more people who have the ability to hire you in the future. If you keep in contact with these hiring managers, the job fair will be a success!

Kenny Hanson is the owner of Hanson Consulting. He specializes in working with individuals who are looking for new employment opportunities. His main focus is writing cover letters, professional resumes and working with individuals on interview techniques. Kenny has worked in Recruiting and Human Resources for over a decade. He has worked with hundreds of different companies and has helped thousands of individuals locate employment. In addition, Kenny has been designated a Certified Staffing Professional by the American Staffing Association. He can be reached via email at hansonresumes@gmail.com