Career fair survival guide: tips for Graduating Students

Hey you! Are you graduating right? Do you have a job lined up, wrapped in pretty crepe paper with a bow on top, waiting for you in a couple of months? If you are like the majority of us, then the answer is no. The warm womb-like embrace of college life is quickly coming to an end and the stark reality of 4% unemployment awaits you. Also, job hunting just plain sucks. I will now allow you thirty seconds to wallow in self pity... Finished? Okay, so let's talk about finding a job.

There is no more confusing and socially awkward job-seeking event than a job fair. Recruiters have cleverly named this event a job “fair” but do not expect delicious fried food or questionable rickety rides. The only relationships this has with a real fair is maybe the livestock competition and you, my employment-seeking friends, are the hogs. So let’s take a minute and talk about how you can put your best foot, or should I say hoof, forward.

Get into the mindset of a door-to-door salesman. You are going to talk to a lot of people, so condense your explanations, work history and achievements into small, concise snippets. Dress for the job you imagine you want. Check over your resume one last time and print out a lot of copies, more than you think you need.

When the fateful day finally arrives, get yourself psyched up. Drink coffee, work out in the morning, listen to your favorite Taylor Swift song, whatever it takes for your brain to function at its best

When you arrive and begin working your way around the room, be polite but maintain your space. It will give you confidence not letting people step around you or cut in front of you. When you finish speaking with a recruiter, ask for a business card and when you walk away, make a few notes on the back so you remember what, specifically, you both discussed. Be direct, ask position-related questions and talk to everyone.

After the event has finished you now have homework to do. When you get home, begin writing thank you notes. Start with what you felt were the most engaging and impressive conversations you had and work your way down. This is where those notes on the back of business cards will come in handy. Also, remember to include all your contact information, you can’t give that out enough.

While career fairs may be uncomfortable, they are the most efficient use of your time when job searching. There is a lot of competition out there right now so prepare well, engage and follow up. How well you do is completely up to you. Now go and get it!