If you have been wondering what to do with your job search now that the New Year has started, how about going to some job fairs. Here are some tips for making a job fair work for you. At the end of the tips is a list of some of the local job fairs over the next few months in Las Vegas.
Here are the basics tips to be ready for a successful job fair:
1. Research the organization holding the job fair to see what companies are expected to attend. Once you have an idea of the companies that are going to be there, research the companies to see what positions they are offering. If there is something there you might like, then apply online if that is what is asked. When you attend the job fair be sure to go to that companies table, introduce yourself, tell them you applied online and give them a good copy of your resume.
2. Bring at least 10 copies of your resume on nice paper with no errors, not wrinkled or stained.
3. Dress for success. I am amazed at the number of job fairs I have presented at and still people show up in street cloths, or even sweats, hair is a mess and forgot to bath that day. You are trying to impress an employer, not depress them.
4. Shake hands with the employers. This means a good handshake. It doesn’t matter if it is a woman or a man; a nice firm (not crushing) handshake demonstrates confidence in yourself and respect for the other person. Don't give a woman a weak shake, where you hold the front of their fingers, it is not professional.
5. Network with the employers and other job seekers too. You never know who you may meet standing in line. There could be supervisors or managers that could one day be a hiring manager you might want to talk to about future a position.
6. Business cards. Bring your own business card to hand out to employers and other people you might be networking with. You can get your own business cards made online for pretty reasonable prices. Use the title you are looking for and make sure it is not over the top with designs. You can also order business cards that have a QR code on them, which will allow employers to go to any online profiles you have such as a website, LinkedIn or blog. You can learn more about this process at www.vizibility.com.
7. Practice your “Elevator Pitch”. This is a summary of what your have to offer to an employer. Keep it to about 60 – 90 seconds and tell them your most marketable skills and abilities, plus the impact you could make on the organization.
When you go to a job fair you can make an impact on an employer and some will hire on the spot! However, it you don’t go prepared, you are not going to make a positive first impression. Here are a few of the upcoming Job Fairs for Las Vegas.
· Las Vegas Job Fair – Monday February 11 at Texas Station from 11-2
· Las Vegas Career Fair – Wednesday Feb. 20 at Palace Station from 11- 2
· Broadcast Education Association at the NAB Education Foundation Show will have a spring career fair on April 10 from 10-3. This will include major broadcasting companies ready to hire at the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino Pavilion. This is the largest broadcasting career event in the nation.
· Helisuccess at Heli-Expo Career Development Track is on March 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, North hall, level 2, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. They will be having a Career Development Seminar covering career tracks for students, transfers from other aircraft, and military to civilian. This event is not free and you have to register on their sight.
· Hyatt Jobs will be holding a recruiting event at UNLV at the Thomas and Mack on March 20 from 10 – 3. They will be recruiting for corporate management and internships.
· Various Casinos along the strip and Stations Casinos are all ready having small career fairs for spring and summer hiring. For these, most require that you already apply online and come in on the event days ready for an on the spot interview. It’s important that you check a variety of casino websites to find out where and when the events are being held soon because they are going on weekly already.
Bottom line: be ready, be prepared and make a positive first impression. A job fair can be a great event if you take the time to be prepared.
