Even though career fairs can be useful regardless of your level in college, attendance if often not enough. Following specific guidelines can improve the effectiveness of the career fairs you attend.


Career Fairs : Making the Most out of Them

Hi Susan,

Thanks for a very interesting and helpful article. Another good point will be for graduands to know what they want to do and be in life and what sorts of careers they want to follow. This may seem like a simple idea, but many of us do not really know what WE want to do and many of us sort of fall into an area of endeavour by chance or default; only to regret it later - maybe.

Often we know what we don't want and not really what we do want even if basic talent is there or apparent. Some follow in the family tradition and hate it, and often it is because we didn't know outrselves because we never thought enough about ourselves and work.

There are many books and sources to help but the best I ever came across is the book:

What Color is your Parachute by Richard Nelson Bolles.

It comes out every year, and I don't doubt there are all the modern versions available (kindle etc) but the book was for me a saving grace for many of my candidates (I used to be in recruitment by the way)

It is easy to read, very well illustrated, has lots of information and will clear many queries we have about ourselves -it kind of makes you come to terms with who you are for yourself - an inexpensive industrial psychologist as it were!

I used to tell my candidates to buy any copy from the past 5 years or so here in SA, as it was the exercises and reading that I was promoting, so second-hand and used copies were valid enough for us. For those in the States though, the latest would be useful as at the back of the book are many many very useful resources, names, contacts and information that will be very very useful especially as they are updated annually.

Get one and see for yourself - then armed with 'yourself' in hand, you will gain so much more when you attend any job fair or recruiting/hiring situation.

Cheers now

P.S. everybody - these thoughts are from my experience and I have not been tasked to review this book or given a copy by anyone. I recommend it highly without any compensation.

Great article Susan! Thanks for sharing! I agree that attendees should research the companies in attendance prior to the event. It seems like a LOT of companies looking for sales agents frequent these fairs. They spin it so it sounds like an excellent job when in fact it's really a cold-calling sales job.

Lestie, What color is Your Parachute is an excellent book!