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By Amy Rossi
What tips do you have about how to get the most out of a job fair?
Mastering the Informational Interviews To get the most out of a Job Fair, ask yourself, are you a PASSIVE or ACTIVE networker? Passive means that you hand out resumes, cards, and attend events. Active means that you collect business cards (contacts), job referrals, and participate in events with specific goals. It’s important to know who you are so that you know what environment is best suited to your job search networking style.
A Job Fair is essentially a networking event, designed to connect you with companies interested in hiring. They very rarely hire attendees on the spot, but a good introduction will lead you to new opportunities. Active networkers tend to thrive in this environment, which allows for face-to-face networking activities. Passive networkers tend to rely mainly on online networking environments.
A job fair is primarily a networking event consisting of a series of informational interviews… not a hiring event offering you a position on the spot. When you frame the job fair as a networking event geared towards learning about potential positions and understanding the companies attending the event, it should change your focus from job seeker to information seeker.
An information seeker must master and practice the INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW. An informational interview involves talking with people who are currently working in the field to gain a better understanding of an occupation, industry, or company, AND building a network of contacts in that field. While an active networker tends to enjoy this process more, a passive networker can master these skills and develop a more ACTIVE approach to networking at the event.