Job fairs are great ways to connect job seekers with companies looking to hire. If you have never been to one and are looking for a job, find one in your area and go. It may be the best thing you do for your job search. However, there are many things to remember to make sure the job fair is the best experience possible for you.

• Remember that those working a company’s booth are pre-screening applicants on the spot. They do not hire during the job fair, but instead gather resumes of qualified, pre-interviewed applicants.
• Since the job fair is all about first impressions, make sure yours is excellent. Dress as if you are going to an interview. Look well groomed and professional. Double check your breath as you may be more physically close to these recruiters than you normally would be during an interview.
• Research the companies who will be at the job fair and prepare resumes appropriately. This is much more effective than the one-resume-fits-all approach. You can also ask relevant questions that show you are familiar with the company. This step will make you stand out from many other applicants.
• Prepare a 30 second or less monologue about why you would be a great fit for each company you are planning to visit at a job fair. You may or may not get to use it, but you want to know exactly what you should say to get the best use of your time in front of recruiters.

With preparation you can turn a job fair into a very beneficial step in the job search.