Job Fairs Can Help You Jump-Start Your Search 
by Sarah E. Needleman

Eric Furman, a December 2001 Penn State University graduate, hopes one day to have a career as a Hollywood producer. But at a recent job fair in downtown Philadelphia, he'd have been happy to snag an interview for an entry-level position at an investment firm. "I'm just looking for some real business experience first," he says.

You gotta start somewhere.

For many college seniors or graduates, a job fair is a good place to begin looking for that first real-world position. These events offer attendees opportunities to learn about and apply for openings, meet with company recruiters, submit resumes or just gather information about career opportunities.

Furman was hoping to find the right job opportunity. "I'm looking for a company that will train me for my [broker licensing] exams," he says. "I'm also looking for a place that will pay for me to go to graduate school."

He'll have some competition. More than 5,000 job seekers thronged the job fair, which was sponsored by the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Despite the rainy and foggy weather that January morning, the event was bustling from the minute the doors opened. By midday, the lines grew long at popular booths like Comcast Corp., Lockheed Martin Corp. and Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. Recruiters say the crowds reflect a weakened economy with fewer job opportunities.

Jill Levowich, 23, knows all too well about the tight job market. She's been working temporary jobs while seeking full-time employment since graduating from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo in May 2001 with a bachelor's degree in graphic design. "I'm just trying to keep my hopes up," she says, carrying a large black leather case filled with her designs from booth to booth. "I'm just introducing myself and showing recruiters my portfolio," she says.

The crowds were a welcome sight to employers with jobs to fill. By the end of the day, many companies were running low on their supplies of giveaways -- pens, cups, magnets and other trinkets laden with company logos that are handed out in abundance to attendees.

"This is the best fair I've been to in the past few years. There's been a steady flow of people visiting the booth," says recruiter Christine Dedda, who was looking to fill entry-level management and customer-service positions at Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Jeffersonville, Pa. "I have over 100 resumes in my hand," she says.

The openings offer starting salaries of about $29,000 a year, "plus benefits, advancement opportunities and a fun, friendly working environment," Dedda says. She was so overwhelmed with applicants that she started advising candidates to apply at the company's Web site.

Not everyone attends a job fair to find employment. Some, like Michelle Marston, 26, use them to conduct research on employers. A University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business M.B.A. graduate, she's interested in an administrative position at a health-care company. Job-fair interviews typically are short, and make her feel too pressured. So she uses the events to probe recruiters for information. "I want to know what they have to offer me. I can always send in an application via e-mail later," she says.

Whether you're attending a job fair to interview or just want to learn about employment opportunities, it's wise to prepare ahead of time. The event may be packed with job seekers vying for attention, and you'll want to stand out from the competition. Here are six tips on how to get the most out of a job fair:

• Research participating employers in advance. You'll be able to take advantage of the event's networking and job-placement opportunities instead of wasting time sorting out what companies are there and what they do. Many job fairs have Web sites that list participants, as well as information on fees, directions and any programs offered, such as seminars and career counseling. Make a list of the top 10 companies whose booths you plan to visit, and study the floor plan, if available, to find out where they'll be located.

• Prepare a 30-second commercial. With a long line of eager applicants, recruiters usually can spend only a brief period of time with each one. To make the most out of this short interview, rehearse a 30-second "commercial" to sell yourself to potential employers. "Paint a picture of yourself in the role that you want," says Charles Lower, director of career services and cooperative education at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa. "Show them how you can meet their needs as employers. It's not about you; it's about what you can do for the employer," he adds. A convincing commercial will:

-- List your strengths or greatest skills,

-- Describe your background, including your most recent employers and education,

-- Provide an example of an accomplishment you're particularly proud of,

-- Explain how you can help the organization achieve its goals, and

-- If applicable, describe your ability to work well with others.

• Be personable and confident. With dozens of resumes piling up, recruiters need to note candidates who stand out. Shawn J. Schofield, assistant manager of Commerce Bank in Philadelphia, says an applicant's personality makes all the difference. "I'm looking for someone who's smiling, has an upbeat attitude, is personable and makes eye contact," he says. Be assertive, says Diane Sunshine, regional account executive for the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. "Don't be shy. Go ahead and introduce yourself. You want the recruiter to put that little star next to your name, so you need to make an impression."

• Dress the part. Consider the fair as you would a job interview. Come dressed in the same attire you'd wear to impress a potential employer. Says Mr. Lower, "Dress for the role you wish to aspire to. It may seem obvious, but a lot of people tend to lose sight of that."

• Bring two versions of your resume. If you qualify for more than one kind of position, say administrative and sales, make sure you have a resume suitable for both. "I call them categorical resumes," Mr. Lower says. "In those two areas, you'd present your background information in a different way. For an administrative job, you'd list your organizational skills. For a sales job, you'd write about your personal interaction, communication and persuasion skills. You'd include your ability to talk to people at all levels," he says.

• Consider alternative career opportunities. A job fair is an excellent opportunity to learn about different careers. You may discover that you qualify for a position at a company you never considered before.

Be flexible. "[Recent college graduates should] want to earn what I call 'experiential income.' You take a job that helps you gain valuable experience to get you closer to your real objective. You work for a year, build your skills and then move on to the job you'd rather have," says Mr. Lower. "You might say, 'I'm an engineer, but I have great communication skills and I'd be willing to work in your sales department.' "

View the job fair as a way to conduct research. "Walk around and use the opportunity to explore what other areas might fit your background," says Mr. Lower. "Identify your primary skills to an employer and say, 'Let me talk to you about what I have going.' Then ask them if your background and skills fit into their organization's needs. You never know what opportunities might be around the next corner."

Ms. Needleman is associate editor of CollegeJournal.com.