Distinguishing Yourself at a Job Fair

Colby writes:

I was invited to a job fair at the end of the week and am extremely excited but nervous as well. I have never been to a job fair, so I am unsure what to expect. The fair is for entry-level, ticket-sales positions within the 12 Major League Soccer teams around the country.

The biggest problem I want to address is how to distinguish myself from others in such a short, more informal than a 1-on-1 interview, setting in such a short time. I am interested in all 12 teams in various locations, so I am extremely open to any suggestions.

The Career Doctor responds:

Job fairs are great tools for job-seekers to make contacts — and possibly make good enough first impressions to be called in for an onsite interview with one or more prospective employers.

And you are absolutely correct - you need a strategy for success.

The first thing you need to do is know everything possible about the requirements and expectations of ticket-sales employees. What are the key skills these folks need?

Second, you need is information on each of the teams. You need to have information on each one, partly to decide if you really would work for any of them and partly to showcase your knowledge.

Third, you need to do is choose your top teams and plan your job-fair strategy.

Fourth, you need to do is plan your sales pitch. Some experts refer to such a pitch as your elevator speech — the same amount of time you have to sell yourself to someone you meet on an elevator. While the basic pitch may be the same, you will want to tweak it some based on your research of the teams. Your elevator pitch tells the recruiter exactly why you are better than all the rest of the folks at the job fair.

You also need to make strong eye contact, smile, and have a firm handshake. You should try and establish rapport — even if just for that short time.

Finally, be sure and get each recruiter’s business card (contact information) — and then write a strong follow-up thank you note to each one of them.

Read more about job fair strategies in my article, The Ten Keys to Success at Job and Career Fairs.