Job Fairs can be Great Opportunities

When it comes to job applications, more and more companies are doing away with paper job applications altogether. This can be frustrating when you find yourself applying for job after job and never being able to so much as talk to a human being throughout the process.

Sometimes you may find yourself pulling your hair out (or worse) when you realize you've applied to 75-100 jobs online and haven't gotten a single interview. Assuming your resume is in good shape and you're well-qualified for the jobs, it may simply be that you've got too much competition--people who are just as qualified as you are and want the job just as badly.

You need to find a way to stand out. One great way to do this is find a way to meet with someone who works at the company face-to-face. Although this can be difficult, there are ways. First, check the company's Web site (or call and ask) if the company participates in job fairs. These fairs may be open to the public, or they may be held on the campuses of major universities or community colleges in your area.

Some companies will send representatives from their Human Resources department to these fairs, or they may send project managers or department heads who are hiring for very specific positions; either way, this is your opportunity to make a great impression, face-to-face, with an actual human being. Be sure to dress for success when you attend these fairs, just as you would if you were attending an actual job interview, because you never know if you'll be meeting your future employer. Be sure to bring plenty of resumes; although you should normally target your resumes to each job you apply for, obviously, in this circumstance, you'll need to have a good general one. Finally, make sure to ask for business cards from anyone you meet at the fair and follow up with them later. This will show that you're driven and serious about a position with their company.