Explore exciting opportunities at CPA Career Week in Vancouver on September 5, and Kelowna on September 17. Connect with employers, expand your professional network, and attend informative panel discussions with industry leaders. Save your spot.
In a competitive job market, distinguishing yourself from other candidates is crucial. One effective way of doing this is by attending in-person career fairs. In a world that is becoming increasingly digitized and competitive, in-person career fairs can be a powerful way for you to stand out amongst your competition and increase your chances of landing your dream job.
Career fairs present a golden opportunity to meet and connect with potential employers, all gathered in one location. And if you are able to establish a good relationship with recruiters at the event, it can lead to immediate interviews, accelerating your hiring process.
Even if you’re not actively seeking a new job, attending career fairs can still be valuable. They provide excellent opportunities for networking, learning about industry developments, and exploring career paths. You can also see what skills and experiences are in demand, and use this insight to inform your professional development goals.
Here are some tips to maximize your career fair experience:
Before the career fair
- Find out which employers will be there
Career fairs will usually announce ahead of time which employers will be attending. Familiarize yourself with these employers, decide which ones you want to talk to, and do some basic research on them. By investing time and effort beforehand, you can have meaningful conversations at the career fair and stand out as someone who is motivated and enthusiastic.
- Prepare strong questions
Employers talk to hundreds of attendees at career fairs. To stand out, you need to ask unique and informed questions that are also open-ended. It’s recommended that you prepare them in advance. You’ll give the impression that you are well-prepared and serious about your career.
Avoid asking questions that are too general. For example, “What does your company do?” or “Is your company hiring?”. Recruiters likely won’t appreciate these questions as they indicate that you have not done your initial research on their company or have thoughtfully considered why you are talking to them.
At the same time, you don’t want to ask questions that are too specific, such as those related to on-the-job duties. They require detailed responses and most recruiters won’t know the ins-and-outs of the role outside the job description. In addition, if you applied for a company that is at the career fair, it’s inappropriate to ask about the status of your application. Members of a recruitment team have different purposes, and those at the event may not be the ones screening applications.
Instead, consider the following questions as conversation starters with recruiters:
- Do you have any advice on the application process?”
- What are the top reasons why someone would enjoy working at your company?”
- What aspects of the company’s culture/values do you appreciate the most?”
- How can I stay in touch with you/the company? Are there any upcoming events or info sessions I can look out for?”
- Refresh your resumé and cover letter
Update your resumé and write a general cover letter (optional) beforehand. While not all employers accept paper resumés at career fairs, it is better to have one prepared. And if a recruiter asks you to email them your resumé, you can do this on the spot.
- Update your LinkedIn
Having a LinkedIn profile that presents you in your best light is essential for both job searching and networking. Keep your profile consistent with your resumé, use a professional headshot, and increase your visibility by sharing and engaging in content. You can also adjust your job preference to indicate to recruiters that you are open to new opportunities. Don’t forget to familiarize yourself with the QR code function as this serves as your digital business card. When you present it to recruiters and networking contacts, they’ll be able to scan it and instantly connect with you.
At the career fair
- Dress to impress
You want recruiters to envision you as someone who would fit their culture. Dress professionally in a manner that suits your personality and goals. Wardrobe pieces could include office-appropriate shirts and pants, suits, and dresses or skirts. Keep in mind it can be warm and crowded, so consider wearing layers and bringing breath mints, mouthwash, and deodorant to stay fresh.
- Don't be shy
Networking can be intimidating, but remember why employers attend career fairs: they want to talk to you! Employers want to meet as many attendees as possible to ensure their company is top of mind amongst job seekers. Recruiters are human too, so they understand how intimidating it can be to walk up and talk to strangers. Take a deep breath and introduce yourself – after all, you have nothing to lose.
- Remember, it’s a conversation.
Despite how busy career fairs can get, don’t feel rushed when speaking with employers. Take your time and focus on having a two-way conversation. Start by introducing yourself and give the employer representative a chance to do the same. Ask them about their role! While many representatives are recruiters or HR professionals, some may be employees in similar roles the organization is hiring for. Having authentic conversations will help you make positive lasting impressions, while also increasing your knowledge about different companies and their work culture.
After the career fair
- Follow-up
Send a thank you email or a message on LinkedIn to the representatives you spoke with, expressing your appreciation for their time and the information they shared. Mention something specific from your conversation to jog their memory and reinforce your interest.
Connect with the representatives on LinkedIn. Personalize the connection request with a note reminding them of your conversation. This helps validate the connection and keeps you on their radar for future opportunities.
- What if recruiters don't respond?
Be patient. Recruiters are busy and may take some time to get back to you. If a recruiter hasn’t responded to your email after two weeks, you can send a polite follow-up email. Keep it brief and reiterate your interest. Find your previous email and reply to that conversation. This connects the two messages, and you’ll avoid starting another conversation thread and crowding their inbox.
Don’t stress over it if you don’t hear back. You’ve still gained a new employer contact. When you apply for a future position with that employer, you can send the recruiter an email to keep an eye out for your application. In the meantime, you can engage with the recruiter’s LinkedIn posts to keep yourself on their radar.
Put your best foot forward at your next career fair! If you haven’t already, sign-up for CPABC’s Career Site to gain access to CPA job postings and information about upcoming career fairs and events.
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Jinny Sim is a talent development officer at CPABC
