Research, Preparation Can Help

Candidates Stand Out At Job Fairs

WALLINGFORD — In today’s competitive job market, Connecticut Better Business Bureau says employment-seekers attending job fairs have to work hard to stand out from competitors — other people seeking employment.

Job hunters across the country are turning out in record numbers at job fairs, hoping to make a good impression among stiff competition. In early March for example, the Georgia Department of Labor organized the largest job fair in the state’s history: 19,000 people turned out for an opportunity to meet with 100 employers.

Connecticut Better Business Bureau President Paulette Scarpetti says job-hunters must have a strategy in order to stand out above many other people who are vying for the same opportunities. “Finding a job in this tight market requires research, preparation, and planning in order to make an impression on potential employers,” she said.

Connecticut Better Business Bureau offers the following advice on preparation for people who want to stand out at job fairs:

Research Potential Employers. Researching a company is much simpler if a single employer is holding a job fair, and valuable information is available at the company’s website.

For larger job fairs with many companies, try to secure a list on the host’s website and begin researching targeted companies beforehand. This helps candidates focus on specific opportunities and develop informed, intelligent, and tailored pitches for employers they want to engage.

Take Plenty of Resumes. Before walking into a job fair, candidates should know who they want to target and what positions those companies are looking to fill. Job hunters should bring customized resumes prepared for their target businesses, and plenty of copies of their standard resume to pass along to other employers. They also should take a briefcase or portfolio to organize and hold business cards and other materials.

Create and Perfect an “Elevator Pitch.” Job seekers may sometimes have only a moment to explain who they are, their skill set, and how they can benefit a company. The pitch should be brief and natural, but well-rehearsed. The elevator pitch must be memorable and sincere because there may be very little time — a few minutes at the most — to make an impression on a potential employer.

Dress and Act the Part. Putting their best foot forward at a job fair means “looking the part” by wearing professional clothes such as a suit and removing or hiding any unusual piercings and tattoos. Acting like a professional also means being articulate, positive, and avoiding inappropriate jokes and speaking ill of a former employer.

Be Confident. Feeling confident translates into looking confident. Since a day at a job fair can be exhausting, job seekers should work hard to stay positive and take breaks to get organized and recharge their batteries.

Don’t Become a Victim. In rare cases, scammers may show up at job fairs. Better Business Bureau cautions job hunters to never pay an upfront fee to any potential employer at a job fair, nor divulge personal information such as bank account or social security numbers.

For more advice on finding a job and guidance on avoiding fraud during the search, visit www.bbb.org