job fairs

[Lucky]

I'm far from fresh out of college, but rather looking for another job. Never been to a job fair. I'm told the companies will have booths setup and I can just walk up and talk to them. What is typically asked? This one has a booklet with all job fair attendees's resumes printed it in for the recruiters to see in advance.

do companies hire directly from these job fairs or it is typical to like interview there and have a follow up?

this job fair is specific to my industry.

 

[LS20]

no
pretty much you go there for freebees... you can hand them resumes but they'll trash it afterwards. really its just opportunity for you to ask the recruiters questions

 

[Sheepathon]

Kissing ass. Oops, I meant networking.

 

[QED]

It really all depends.

Some recruiters are there actively looking to fill specific positions, and if you happen to have the qualifications they are looking for it can help move your resume to the top of their pile.

Others are there simply to gab, and collect resumes which they will never look at.

Just be prepared for a recruiter to fawn all over your resume with promises of an immediate call back... only not hear anything ever again.

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: LS20
no
pretty much you go there for freebees... you can hand them resumes but they'll trash it afterwards. really its just opportunity for you to ask the recruiters questions

Positive on the freebees, negative on the trashing. You can get a job from a career fair, I've done it. They wouldn't be there wasting their time and money if they weren't interested in hiring anyone. Also, talk to people, get their business cards, and email them your resume directly too. I got a VP's business card once, and I emailed him my resume, and he forwarded it to a hiring manager. Now if a hiring manager gets your resume from a VP, you are are pretty much in

 

[HN]

keychains and pens, lots of them

 

[Lucky]

wow, i would hope it's not that bad. some of these companies are flying from across the country to be at this place. That and I'm shelling out a $10 registration, not to mention $100 in related costs to attend.

 

[Reel]

You can get a job but you have to connect. It is tough to do because these guys are standing there all day hearing similar stories over and over. You have to be special and connect to them so they remember you and can vouch for you later on. Try to find some common ground or something that impresses them within one minute. It is quite a challenge.

 

[Cattlegod]

I was hired from a job fair.