Overview

What is a job fair? 

A job fair is an organized event where potential employers are looking to fill positions. Some job fairs cater to a wide range of interests. That is, there are many different types of jobs advertised at the job fair. 

Other job fairs are more specific - just a certain type of job is advertised at the job fair.  For example, there may be a job fair for people interested in computers and technology, or a job fair for engineering jobs. 

Why participate in a job fair? 

• Job fairs allow potential employers to meet a high number of people in the same day. 
• Job fairs allow potential applicants (you) to learn about a number of different jobs and companies in the same day. 
• They also give the potential applicant (you) a chance to meet some of the people working at various jobs and companies.
• To make a good impression on potential employers. 

Where do they happen?

• They usually happen in large buildings, gymnasiums, auditoriums, colleges, or conventions centers.
• Job fairs tend to take place in larger cities.

When do they happen?

• They usually happen during the day (i.e. 8am-5pm).
• Some take place during the week (Monday-Friday), while others occur on Saturdays.

What would you do there?

• Walk over to different booths and introduce yourself to potential employers.
• Provide them with a copy of your resume.
• Answer any questions they might have for you about your skills and experiences.
• Ask them questions about their company and the job position.
• Sometimes, these job fairs can be like "mini interviews."  So, make a good impression!

Job fairs are overwhelming for a lot of people because of the larger crowds and louder environment.  Applicants have to communicate and socialize with a number of different potential employers.  You do not have to attend a job fair if you think it would be too overwhelming.  There are other ways to look for jobs:  Via the internet, newspaper, door to door searches, or networking.

How many people can I expect to see attending a job fair?

• Because the purpose of job fairs is in part to allow employers to meet a high volume of people in the same day, there can be A LOT of people at a job fair.  Some job fairs might have hundreds of applicants in attendance. 
• You might have to wait in line to enter a job fair, or you might have to wait in line to talk to someone at a specific booth.
• If you get overwhelmed by crowds or noise, a job fair is probably not the right way for you to start looking for jobs. 

How do I find out about job fairs?

• Job fairs may be organized by a local college, community college, by various professional organizations, or by your community.
  
• To find out about job fairs, ask a job coach or a counselor at a local high school, community college, or university if they know of any scheduled job fairs in your area. 
• You can also search for job fairs in your area online.  Go to your preferred search engine (for example, google.com or yahoo.com) and type in "job fairs in ____ [insert your city and state]."  It may help to search for job fairs in the largest city near where you live if you in a smaller city or less metropolitan area.

A job fair is an organized event where potential employers are looking to fill positions.  Job fairs allow potential employers to meet a high number of people in the same day.  Job fairs allow potential applicants (you) to learn about a number of different jobs and companies in the same day.  Some job fairs might have hundreds of applicants in attendance, so you might have to wait in lines to talk tosomeone at a specific booth.