Going to a job fair today...any suggestions?

[Poli]

I get out in 1 year and 1 week, but I got an email last week (thank you, Monster.com) about a job fair specifically for electronic technician types with security clearances. Fancy that, I am an electronic technician with a security clearance. Even better, I'm on leave and can actually go up to St. Louis and take a look around.

I'm sure someone here has been to a job fair. What should I expect? Any tips/suggestions would be appreciated. I'm leaving in about 2 hours to go.

[ice4277]

Dress nice, and be prepared to wait. I've seen a few job fairs recently that have had pretty long lines. I have no idea how that relates to your field. But good luck nonetheless

[Pumpy Tudors]

I went to a broadcasting job fair a few months ago. I met a couple of people, handed out a couple of resumes, and collected a couple of business cards.

Be prepared to ask questions and answer questions. You may be asked specific questions about your skills, or maybe you'll just be asked what you'd like to do. Just have a stock answer ready for those questions. In general, I found the job fair to be somewhat informal as far as conversation goes. I hear that some job fairs do grant actual interviews on the spot, though, so your mileage may vary.

ice4277 has it right, to sum it up. Dress nice, and be prepared to wait.

[SirFozzie]

since you have 53 weeks left, you're not gonna get much of a look, since they can't hire you for over a year. So consider it an experience in the type of things they'll ask and that kind of thing

[Poli]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

since you have 53 weeks left, you're not gonna get much of a look, since they can't hire you for over a year. So consider it an experience in the type of things they'll ask and that kind of thing

That's what I figured. The Navy has granted some early separations if it's 1. clear the sailor isn't staying
2. The sailor has a job waiting
3. It's a few months...and not a year (dang it).

The only problem I see in obtaining that is I re-enlisted 5 years ago in a "critical" field, meaning I got a large bonus. The Navy doesn't like to lose people they've given bonuses to, even if it's just a few months.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Avoid eating heavily before riding the Ferris Wheel.

[Raven Hawk]

Yeah, this will end up just being an experience for you. From a recruiting standpoint, all job fairs do is give recruiters leads. It is not typical for anybody to get hired straight up at a job fair. The recruiters purpose is to get names and maybe do quick screen of the candidate's abilities.

So suggestions:
1. Bring Plenty of Copies of Your Resume
2. Be ready to answer questions asked by technical recruiters (i.e. not too deep into the subject, but deep enough to get an idea if you know what you're doing)
3. Dress nice.

[finketr]

wear your robe and wizard's hat. Throw your resume and shout "lightning bolt! lightning bolt!"

be cocky and funny.

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I went to a broadcasting job fair a few months ago.

What types of jobs were on offer there?

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by ice4277

What types of jobs were on offer there?

Probably internships and holding applications for future jobs, but nothing current or paid. Trust me, I know what it's like having tried to make it in the business for five years before giving up

[Logan]

Just an FYI...be careful with those unsolicited job offers you get through sites like Monster. They'll specifically tailor the "opportunity" to your skills in order to get you to bite since it seems so perfect for you. Not saying that this particular job fair is of that kind, but when I was looking for jobs as I was getting ready to graduate college (and I had numerous resumes on Monster), I kept getting calls/emails from companies that wanted me to fill some sort of position that would be perfect for me, while all the emails seemed extremely similar.

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Probably internships and holding applications for future jobs, but nothing current or paid. Trust me, I know what it's like having tried to make it in the business for five years before giving up

Yep, it can be pretty tough. I've been in the field for almost four years now, and only recently am I starting to make some pretty decent in-roads. I

[Poli]

Originally Posted by Logan

Just an FYI...be careful with those unsolicited job offers you get through sites like Monster. They'll specifically tailor the "opportunity" to your skills in order to get you to bite since it seems so perfect for you. Not saying that this particular job fair is of that kind, but when I was looking for jobs as I was getting ready to graduate college (and I had numerous resumes on Monster), I kept getting calls/emails from companies that wanted me to fill some sort of position that would be perfect for me, while all the emails seemed extremely similar.

I get at least 1 a week for insurance sales. They're obviously not reading the resume that states the earliest I can start work is April '07.

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by ardent enthusiast

I get at least 1 a week for insurance sales. They're obviously not reading the resume that states the earliest I can start work is April '07.

I get a bunch of those every time I update my resume on there as well.

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by ice4277

I get a bunch of those every time I update my resume on there as well.

I haven't updated my resume on there since last June or so. I still get about 1-2/week, some serious, some not-so-serious. Since I've been hired at my current company, I've had offers from LockMart (multiple), NG, and Swales Aerospace.

I've also been contacted by engineering temp firms and oddly enough, by American Express financial advisors, asking if I want to become a financial advisor.

So weird.
Hope the job fair went well.

For future job fairs (when you might have a chance of getting hired), if there's a place you tlak to and really like, and you think they like you, be sure to get a business card and write them a follow-up email.

/tk

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by ice4277

Yep, it can be pretty tough. I've been in the field for almost four years now, and only recently am I starting to make some pretty decent in-roads. I

The most I made was $100/wk

The problem is that there was (as of 92 when I graduated) 45 graduates in the Communication Arts field per position that came open.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by ice4277

What types of jobs were on offer there?

I was looking for entry-level positions, and a radio network told me that they'd have a board operator position open soon. The local TV stations thought that I might be suited for associate producer, but those jobs were part-time. The only thing that was immediate and full-time was a sales assistant position, but I didn't pursue it.

I'm destined to be an office employee of some sort, probably in purchasing. The whole "I want to do broadcasting" dream was fun while it lasted, but I think it's time to let that go. I am going to try to get an agent to do voice work, though, but I don't have the time to jump into that yet.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I am going to try to get an agent to do voice work, though, but I don't have the time to jump into that yet.

You have a PM sir.

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

The most I made was $100/wk

The problem is that there was (as of 92 when I graduated) 45 graduates in the Communication Arts field per position that came open.

Yep. Its definitely about who you know. Thats really the only way to get ahead, by making/using contacts.