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How to use Job Fairs to Find Your Next Job

Illustration of a magnifying glass focused on one individual in a crowd

It’s job fair time once again! Every spring, employers and crowds of job seekers congregate to discuss job opportunities.  Job fair events feature a maze of employer stalls with long line-ups and lots of noisy chatter.  Presenting your best self at a job fair can be stressful, and there is no guarantee of being hired.  So what is the point of a job fair?

A job fair as a way to build a professional network of employers in your field, learn about job openings, workplace culture, and the nature of sector. The few minutes that you interact with an employer gives you a great opportunity to “look” and “sound” like a potential employee.  Usually only your resume speaks for you when you apply for jobs.  A job fair gives you a rare chance to sell yourself before any formal interviews take place.  Some employers even have an on-the-spot interview for certain positions. While job offers don’t typically happen at a job fair, you can make progress towards that offer, or be considered for other opportunities. 

For employers, job fairs are a chance to meet face-to-face with candidates before any formal interview.  Think of it as an in-person screening process.  Candidates can sell their hard and soft skills and employers can quickly evaluate fit.  The goal is for employers to identify candidates for interviews. 

Finding job fairs and hiring events.

Use Google to search for job fairs in your area. Find job fairs notices on websites such as Eventbrite, Peter’s New Jobs and Jobs Canada Fair. 

Before the Job Fair

Register for the event.

Sign-up on job fair organizer websites so you receive notices for upcoming events.  Look for registration instructions and register, or obtain an entry ticket. Note that some job fairs ask you to submit your resume when you register.  Not every job fair requires registration and just show up.

Find the companies attending.

Job fair advertisements include participating companies and the types of positions they are promoting. Visit company websites to understand more about them, who they hire and available positions.  Search online for company news and check out their social media posts.  Follow the companies you’re most interested in. Take notes about their mission statement, products and services. Consider applying for positions listed on their website and bring a record of the application to show the employer at the job fair.

Be ready to market yourself.

Prepare your elevator pitch to introduce yourself and the skills that would benefit the company. Have an idea of what you would like to emphasize to each company based on your research and the positions they are filling.

Think about what you want to tell the employer about your last job, how it ended (stay positive!), and what you have been doing since. Find a way to tell them how your journey brought you to this company and their jobs.

Make sure you have suitable clothes to wear at the event.  Think of it like dressing for an interview, with the exception of wearing comfortable shoes that are still suitable for an interview. You can get a sense of each company’s attire from the photos used on their website.

Make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile is up-to-date. Expect employers to look your profile up. Include your LinkedIn profile address on your resume as well. Have multiple copies of your resume to hand out.

Think of questions to ask.

Prepare specific and open-ended questions to understand or clarify details about the company, positions, sector news, etc.  Company representatives will remember your conversation if they feel engaged.  Job fairs are very busy, so be concise, professional, friendly and mindful of those waiting in line.

At the Job Fair

Present yourself professionally.

Arrive early, neatly dressed, with resume copies, notepaper and questions in a folder. Make sure you have a pen.   Speak and act professionally.  Offer a firm handshake when you meet company representatives and make eye contact. Silence your cell phone. Avoid asking about salary or benefits at this stage.  Job fairs are busy, noisy and fast paced so don’t go into too much detail and be aware of time restrictions. 

Take care of yourself while you’re at the event. Bring water and snacks.  Take short breaks. Stay focused and calm.

Schedule a follow-up appointment, if possible.

Some companies prefer making an appointment following the job fair; this is an opportunity to have an in-depth conversation with the employer, which is difficult to do at larger events. If the conversations went well, considering asking to meet with the employer after the event to continue the discussion. If they refuse, this may not be their protocol during job fairs.

Gather business cards of employers.
Follow-up is important. After each conversation or meeting with a company representative, take notes and ask for a business card. If this is not available, get the person’s name, company, job title, and email address. Ask permission to connect with them on LinkedIn.

After the Job Fair

Write a brief email to the employers you met to show appreciation for their time and emphasize your interest in the company.

Lastly, job fairs are an extraordinary opportunity to meet employers who can offer you your next career move. Taking the best effort you can during a job fair will increase your professional network and lead to positive opportunities in the future.

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Answering the Salary Question in a Job Interview

blond businessman holding one small piggy bank and one much larger piggy bank

Addressing the salary question isn’t easy for a job seeker. If the salary you ask for is too high, the employer might choose a more affordable candidate. If it’s too low, you might be selling yourself short or be seen as less qualified or valuable.

So, what is a job seeker to do?

Before tackling this question, it helps to do some research.

How much do you really need to earn?

Take a careful look at your budget and identify the minimum that you can afford to earn. Of course, you will try to do better than the minimum, but there are reasons to take a job that are not financial, such as an opportunity to start a new career, fill a gap on your resume, or perhaps the job is an opportunity to start at a company you really want to work for.

  • Use this tool to help you figure out how much you need to earn per hour, month, and year.

How much can you expect?

Do you know how much employers are willing to pay you, given your particular skills and experience, and their given salary structure? It isn’t easy to figure out the going rate for a specific job. There are many variables to consider, including:

  • The average salary for your profession
  • Your experience and skill level
  • Where you fit into the salary range in your field: entry-level, average or senior?
  • How do salaries in your city compare to other locations?

Resources are available online to help calculate your potential salary, but be cautious; it doesn’t always give an accurate estimate of how much you might be able to be paid, considering your unique skills, experience and circumstances:

The current job market is also the best source of salary information:

  • Check with people you know; ask them about the salary range in their company for similar roles
  • Speak to recruiters and hiring managers
  • Check job postings; sign up for job alerts with sites such as Indeed.ca — many jobs will include salary expectations.

At the interview:

Salary negotiations do not need to be adversarial or aggressive. If you are clear about how much you need and have a sense of what is being paid in the market, then you are in a good position to ask for what is realistic.

Some salary negotiation tips:

  1. Wait for the appropriate time to discuss salary; it is better to impress the employer first with your skills and dazzling personality, and try hold out until later in the hiring process when the employer is more invested in your candidacy
  2. If salary has not come up yet, and you are ready to discuss it, ask the employer when they plan to discuss salary (instead of asking “how much do you pay?”)
  3. Resist throwing out the first number – ask the employer for the salary range they pay
  4. Take your time deciding, consider the possibility of playing hardball and saying no. Just make sure you can afford to do so.

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The Power of a Thank You

Neon sign reading Thank You

Job seekers may underestimate the power of sending a simple, well-written thank you letter after a job interview. Some think that employers don’t expect or appreciate a thank you and wonder whether it is worth the effort.

Apparently, employers disagree. A recent survey of 300 employers shows that 80 percent describe the thank you messages they received after an interview as either somewhat or very helpful; yet, only 24 percent of candidates bother sending a letter.

Expressing gratitude is a highly effective strategy

Some people embrace the practice of expressing gratitude with a few well chosen words whether by letter, email, by LinkedIn message or endorsement. It can be an effective way of making a lasting positive impression and reminding people of your thoughtfulness and likability.

During the job search process, there are many opportunities to express gratitude. Acknowledging a helpful administrative assistant, a resourceful network contact, a referral to a job, or even your employment counsellor can be a valuable way of solidifying a relationship that may serve you for a long time into your career.

Writing thank you letters during job search as well as after interviews

Thank you notes are almost always a good idea. Whether the interview went well or not, whether you got the job, or even whether you don’t want the job, that should not impact your decision to write a thank you note. If a person has dedicated time and effort to help you with information or spent time considering you for position, send them a note. That includes the person who conducts the pre-screening interview on the phone.

Think of it as paying it forward; feeling appreciated is a powerful force that strengthens your ties to others in your network.

Tips for writing a thank you note after an interview

  • Send your email as soon after the interview as possible – preferably within 24 hours.
  • Keep the email brief, well-punctuated and carefully spell-checked.
  • Send a separate email to each person who interviewed you. If you cannot, at least mention each interviewer by name.
  • Remind the reader about the job title and day of the interview – either in the email subject or in the email itself.
  • Thank the person for their time and effort.
  • Restate your interest and enthusiasm in the position and the company.
  • Briefly point out why you are a good match for the position.
  • If you can, personalize the note in some way, such as thanking them for a special tip they offered, a conversation that was had, or a comment they made.
  • Offer to answer any further questions or concerns the employer might have. Include your cellphone number to make it easier.

For more tips on writing thank you letters, as well as links to samples, check out this blog post.

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Is Networking overrated?

Business people chatting during a networking event

I recently came across an interesting opinion on networking that might make many job seekers happy; Networking, as many employment professionals describe it, might not work for most.

Networking is the process of reaching out to professionals in your industry, that you may not know personally, in order to make connections and gain job referrals. And when I describe it to job seekers, I can see the concern on their faces – not everyone feels comfortable marketing themselves so directly to potential employers. Many candidates worry they are not qualified enough and are concerned their self-promotion may appear desperate.

The question is whether networking is worth the effort and time required to make it work. For many job seekers, it is well worth it. For others, the anxiety it provokes and its lack of short-term returns might turn a job search into a stressful process that causes avoidance and frustration.

The good news is that there isn’t just one way to find work. Keep in mind that the often-quoted “hidden job market” isn’t so hidden anymore. The vast majority of jobs are easily found online on job boards, social media and on company websites. Of course, having good network contacts can help a candidate stand out, but that often isn’t enough – candidates have to be able to compete equally with a highly talented pool of job seekers.

Here are some interesting insights from the New York Times:

Having a strong network cannot replace qualifications, experience and competitive skills.
“It’s true that networking can help you accomplish great things. But this obscures the opposite truth: Accomplishing great things helps you develop a network.” Networking tends to be more effective if you are already accomplished and have an established credibility in your professional circle.

Sustainability matters.
“Achievements don’t just help us make connections; they also help sustain those connections.” Networks need to be sustained, and that can only happen if your accomplishments are visible.

Connections have to be meaningful, not just plentiful.
”Networking alone leads to empty transactions, not rich relationships.” While it is a good idea to connect to as many people as possible, it is even more important to build your existing relationships and get to know your contacts.

Networking works much better if you already have recognizable achievements.
“It’s remarkably hard to engage with those people unless you’ve already put something valuable out into the world. That’s what piques the curiosity of advisers and sponsors. Achievements show you have something to give, not just something to take.” Share your achievements on your resume and on LinkedIn. It will make you a much more interesting to others and a valuable professional contact.

Networking cannot replace achievements.
“The best way to attract a mentor is to create something worthy of the mentor’s attention. Do something interesting, and instead of having to push your way in, you’ll get pulled in. The network comes to you.” Work on making an impact, whether it is in your volunteer work, your current interim job, or in a training course.

Access and opportunity do give certain people an unfair advantage.
It is important to acknowledge that networking is much more challenging for those who are new to a country or a career. In those situations, job seekers may have to rely on transferable skills to market themselves. “It’s dramatically easier to get credit for achievements…if your pedigree is full of fancy degrees and prestigious employers, and you come from a family with wealth and connections. But if you lack these status signals, it’s even more critical to produce a portfolio that proves your potential.”

It is key to work on recognizing and publicizing your achievements.
“Accomplishments can build your network only if other people are aware of them. You have to put your work out there. It shouldn’t be about promoting yourself, but about promoting your ideas. Evidence shows that tooting your own horn doesn’t help you get a job offer or a board seat, and when employees bend over backward to highlight their skills and accomplishments, they actually get paid less and promoted less. People find self-promotion so distasteful that they like you more when you’re praised by someone else — even if they know you’ve hired an agent to promote you.”

It’s not all about making connections. Focus on making an impact through interesting, innovative and impressive activities.
“The best networking happens when people gather for a purpose other than networking, to learn from one another or help one another.”


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How to make the most of a virtual job fair

successful businessman celebrating his victory raising arms, in front of a laptop

How to make the most of a virtual job fair

Technology offers new and inventive ways for employers to find qualified candidates. The latest innovation is a virtual (or online) job fair where job seekers have the opportunity to apply for job postings and speak directly with multiple employers from anywhere in the world.

What is a virtual job fair?

Virtual job fairs allow job seekers and employers to meet online and discuss employment opportunities. Just like in-person job fairs, these events are scheduled at a particular date and time. They utilize a range of technologies, including written chat or messaging, and may include video or teleconferencing tools.

Preparing for a virtual job fair.

Online job fairs require job seekers to register for the event in advance. Registration may require submission of a resume and a series of qualifying and information questions that will help employers decide on the suitability of the candidate. Once registered, job seekers will receive a username and password to log into the event. They may even have an opportunity to review the positions advertised by each company before the event, and decide which positions they would like to apply for.

Preparation for a virtual job fair isn’t that different from an in-person one. Prior to “meeting” with employers, job seekers can research companies and learn about their values and the work that they do.

Just as with in-person interviews, job seekers need to be ready to talk about themselves with the employer, to demonstrate their strengths and accomplishments. Here are some sample interview questions and answers to help you prepare. 

Before the event begins:

  1. Complete the registration as required
  2. Find a quiet space where you can focus on the interviews
  3. Make sure your computer, microphone (if needed) and other equipment are working
  4. Research the companies you want to speak with, and review job descriptions for each position you want to apply for
  5. Prepare a short introduction (an “elevator pitch”) targeted at each company that you can use when you first connect to a representative
  6. Prepare 2-3 questions to ask each interviewer
  7. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and accurately describes your skills and experience 
  8. Check your social media accounts and make sure your online presence is up-to-date and professional
  9. Prepare a folder of information (paper or electronic) that you can refer to during the interviews; include your resume, answers to interview questions, questions you want to ask, and company research

What happens at the virtual job fair?

At the designated start time, log in with your username and password. The website will direct you to chat rooms or booths where you can talk to the employers of your choice. Depending on the sophistication of the platform’s software, some job fairs look like a live in-person fair complete with booths. Other simpler virtual fairs might just include a list of companies which you can click on to review and start a chat.

Tips to maximize the opportunity.

  1. Type slowly and have spellcheck on; review what you write before pressing send/enter
  2. Use formal language – don’t be too casual; stay away from typical text abbreviations (e.g. don’t use “u” instead of “you”)
  3. Keep your answers short; long blocks of text can be overwhelming to the reader. Use paragraphs to break up blocks of text
  4. Choose your words with care; have your resume ready as well as scripts that you can copy and paste from (e.g. your elevator pitch)
  5. Answer one question at a time and only include the relevant information asked for
  6. Avoid redundancy; do not repeat information
  7. Be polite and avoid trying to be funny; humour, such as sarcasm, is hard to communicate online

At the end of the interview…

Thank the interviewers, express your enthusiasm about the job, and ask about next steps in the process. Ask for contact information from your interviewer so you can send a thank you note and follow up if you don’t hear back.

After the job fair…

  1. Send a brief thank you email (same day)
  2. Write down some of the questions you were asked in order to review later and learn from
  3. If you don’t hear back from an employer, call or email them to check on your application status after the deadline set by the employer 

Remember, everyone is learning how to use these new technologies and everyone is bound to make mistakes. If you make a mistake, apologize, correct yourself, and keep going. Don’t let the technology intimidate you. By using it, you are showing the employer that you are adaptable and able to learn new skills.

Now that you’re ready, put your new skills to use at JVS Toronto’s Virtual Employment Connections Fair happening tomorrow! Register online at jvstoronto.vfairs.com

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