Making the most of the October 18 Career Fair: Tips for success

How can you capitalize on the October 18 Career Fair at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m?

Whether you're a recent graduate, an established professional or a career changer, get ready, beginning with your attitude. A little shy or uncertain? A job fair isn't much different from job interviews in duplicate and triplicate; it's just more intense. Company representatives are anxious, too, to find the good people they need. Meet them halfway.

Be focused on the event. Check your schedule the day before. "Allow the full six hours for the fair," states Teresha Weinkein, city manager of Kelly Services Inc., in Cape.

You have to look sharp, according to Debbi Robinson, who manages HR for Cape's highway construction company Delta Companies Inc. "In any interview situation, you're being interviewed from the second you arrive," she says.

Janice Cook agrees, pointing out that sweats won't cut it. She is administrative assistant at Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Cape. "Come like you're going to walk into your job the first day," she continues. "If you have to totally retrain, the more professional applicant is more likely to be hired than the one who isn't." Even college students should come in suits, where appropriate. "You want to look like GQ Magazine, ready for business," she comments.

If you're currently working, make certain your employer isn't exhibiting at the fair, advises Dan Strakal of Success Positioning Systems in Albuquerque. Otherwise, the vacation day you secured becomes "Career Day" as the company representatives stare at you from their exhibition table.

Have you been actively job hunting? If you know that one or more of your employers will be exhibiting, let him know that you will be attending. Send a note -- handwritten if you have good handwriting -- saying that you look forward to seeing him there. Get a good night's sleep the day before.

Study the roster of participants before you go. Plan your attack:

-- research exhibitors in the days leading up to the fair;

-- identify companies of greatest interest; and

-- prioritize the companies for an efficient walking tour.

"Have an idea of what you're looking for," advises Robin Godwin, marketing director at Tri-State Water Treatment Inc., in Cape. "Be prepared to tell a potential employer what you have to offer the company. We want to know why you really believe you'd benefit us. What is it about you that sets you apart from the rest? Don't just do a sales job. Have something to say."

"Show interest; be professional; ask good industry-related questions," Robinson of Delta Companies suggests. "When you leave, stick out your hand and say thank you. These types of things make a positive impression."

Dianne Daniels of Image & Color Services of Norwich, Conn., helps people gain strong first impressions. She says to practice your spiel about your experience at a good pace, in sound bites. "Prepare and rehearse a summary of your qualifications, experience and reasons for wanting the position in advance," she continues, "and then deliver it with enthusiasm."

Bring a resume that tells the reader immediately what kind of job you're looking for and why you're the person to fill it. This exercise uncovers some of the best selling points to discuss with employers. Begin with an objective. Otherwise, you'll take employers down side roads, not onto the Highway for the Happily Employed.

ON LOCATION

Develop a walking tour from materials you receive in advance or at the information desk. Stick to your priorities, even if that means back-tracking. Collect all of the literature you can find.

Carole Martin of InterviewCoach.com in the San Francisco Bay Area urges you to "keep your focus and make contact with as many companies of interest as possible. Be enthusiastic, upbeat," she adds. If your mind strays, think about this as a banquet table, where employers are setting out jobs to sample.

"Don't be rushed," Cook says. "Don't just hand out resumes. Take time to visit with the person."

The bottom line in all of this is simple. Keep telling yourself, "Companies are paying money to meet ME!" Afterward, follow up to remind them.