Benefits of Attending a Job Fair

 When was the last time you visited a job fair? Or should I rephrase the question and ask if you’ve ever been to a job fair ? I have visited two; one as a journalist covering the event and another by chance as it happened to be part of a bigger technology exposition.

However, job seekers should be encouraged to avail every opportunity to get out there and meet prospective employers. Many companies invest in setting up stalls at job and industry expos in a bid to attract and acquire talent. For instance, in June, more than 750 wounded veterans visited the 2012 Hiring Heroes Career Fair designed to help ex-military men and women find suitable civilian jobs. There are a number of other career fairs being organized across the country for those interested in announcing their availability to recruiters and employers.

The biggest advantage you might derive from such a visit, even if it does not convert into an instant employment offer, is networking with employers and HR managers. Many companies may not have an instant opening for you but if you make an impression worth remembering, they might call you when a suitable vacancy does appear.

In addition you can always benefit from free workshops and tutorials that are usually offered by participating companies at such fairs. Many HR professionals will also offer career counseling free of charge if they have the time to sit down and talk to you. This will also be an invaluable opportunity to have your résumé reviewed by industry insiders.

Thanks to the internet, you can also visit many virtual career fairs today from the comfort of your living room. The Civilian Corps of the United States Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) had a virtual fair from June 11 to 15 where civilian healthcare professionals explored international opportunities with the U.S. Army’s Educational and Development Interventions Services (EDIS).

If you’re a professional in the trucking and transportation industries, you might be interested in webinars being offered by Trincon on various pervasive issues pertaining to the trucking industry including driver recruitment, ever-mounting operational costs and employee retention.

There are hundreds of other free and cost-effective webinars being run around the world every day and regardless of your professional associations and interests, you can find one that suits your needs.

Although there are mixed commentaries from various quarters about the present state of the job market, there’s no dearth of businesses looking for talent today. In other words, don’t be deterred by any and all negative factors and remain optimistic!