With unemployment rates in the double digits in some states, thousands of people are working diligently to get back into the workforce. Competition is fierce and your Better Business Bureau is offering the following advice on how job hunters can prepare and present themselves as the best candidate at job fairs:
Research companies first. In some cases, only one employer is holding a job fair, making research easy. For larger job fairs with multiple employers, job hunters should be able to find a list of companies slated to attend at the host’s Web site. This allows the job seeker to begin researching the companies they want to target beforehand. Information garnered in this process will help candidates develop intelligent, tailored pitches for the employers they want to meet.
Take plenty of resumes. Job hunters should prepare customized resumes for their target businesses, and should bring copies of their standard resume to pass along to other employers.
Develop an elevator pitch. An elevator pitch is a verbal description of who you are, what your skill set is, and how you can benefit the business. The pitch must be brief and conversational, yet well-rehearsed.
Dress and act the part. Putting your best foot forward at a job fair means “looking the part” by wearing professional clothes, such as a suit. Remove unusual piercings and cover tattoos.
Be confident. While a day at a job fair can be exhausting, it’s important to always act confident and enthusiastic. Stay positive.
Don’t become a victim. While instances of scammers setting up shop at a job fair are rare, job hunters should never pay an upfront fee to any potential employer at a job fair, nor should they give any personal information such as bank account or Social Security numbers until they have researched the company fully outside of the fair.
For more advice on finding a job, as well as guidance from BBB on avoiding fraud while on the hunt, start with
www.bbb.org.