The first thing you should do after a job fair is to send a thank you email to each employer you met. This shows your interest, appreciation, and professionalism. It also helps you stand out from the crowd of other applicants. Your email should be brief, personalized, and specific. Mention the name of the recruiter, the company, and the position you are interested in. Highlight your qualifications, skills, and fit for the role. Express your enthusiasm and gratitude for the opportunity. And don't forget to attach your resume and any other relevant documents.
I disagree with this. I would recommend sending a thank you note to the Recruiter you are working with, and include a request for feedback and next steps. Try to keep all correspondence to the Recruiting team while in process.
1. Send a thank you email as suggested AND add one thing you learned from or about them gained during the job fair. This shows that you were listening and interested in learning more about the problems they are trying to solve. 2. Send an invitation to connect with a customized message on LinkedIn. Ask for 20 minutes of their time for an informational interview. See #3 below. 3. Follow-up in 2 weeks if you have not received a response.
Another way to follow up with employers you met at a job fair is to connect with them on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. This helps you build your network, stay updated on the company's news and events, and demonstrate your interest and engagement. When you send a connection request, include a short note reminding them of your conversation and thanking them for their time. You can also comment on their posts, share their content, or send them a message with a relevant article or question.
I appreciate when a jobseeker sends me a LinkedIn connection request that is personalized after meeting me at a job fair. Something along the lines of, "Leah, it was great to meet you at the University of North Dakota Career Fair yesterday. I'd love to get some more information about the 2025 internship opportunities at your firm. Would you be willing to schedule a brief phone call with me later this week?" People like to be remembered by name, and if you can call attention to something specific the two of you talked about at the event, that will set you apart!
Linkedin is a great place to connect, as its main purpose is for professional connections and networking. But I would stay away from more personal social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). This is because most people may find this un-professional and crossing a line.
If you want to take your follow-up to the next level, you can request an informational interview with the employer you met at a job fair. An informational interview is a casual conversation where you ask questions about the company, the industry, the career path, and the hiring process. It is not a job interview, but it can help you learn more about the employer, showcase your interest and initiative, and establish a rapport. To request an informational interview, send a polite and professional email explaining your purpose, requesting a 15-20 minute chat, and suggesting a few possible times and modes.
After you have sent your thank you email, connected on social media, and requested an informational interview, you might be wondering what to do next. How often should you follow up with the employer and how long should you wait? The answer depends on the situation, but a general rule of thumb is to follow up once every 7-10 days until you get a response. You can send a friendly and concise email or call the recruiter to restate your interest, highlight your value, and inquire about the next steps. Avoid being pushy, desperate, or rude.
Find a balance between wanting to stay in the loop and overcommunicating during the process. Most times, there are others in process as well as internal pieces that can take time to complete. On each conversation with a recruiter or hiring team member, ask for "next steps" or a specific timeline and stick to that. This will avoid coming off as pushy.
While you are following up with the employers you met at a job fair, you should also keep your options open and continue your job search. Don't put all your eggs in one basket and assume that you will get an offer from one of them. Instead, apply to other jobs that match your skills and goals, attend other job fairs and networking events, and update your resume and portfolio. This way, you will increase your chances of finding the best fit for you and avoid missing out on other opportunities.
It is a numbers game. Apply and interview for as many roles as possible, especially in down markets where things are very competitive. It's always good to have options!
The last tip for following up with employers you met at a job fair is to be patient and positive. The hiring process can take time and vary depending on the company, the industry, and the position. Don't get discouraged or frustrated if you don't hear back right away or if you face rejection. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of your experience, such as the connections you made, the feedback you received, and the skills you learned. Remember that every interaction is a learning opportunity and a stepping stone to your career success.
Try to ensure to build in rest and breaks into the job search. It is a long and sometimes frustrating process for most. You need to ensure you do not burn yourself out, so that you can show up with your best during interviews.
This is the absolutely worst place to go to if you're a white collar worker, unless you're attending to network with your fellow job search candidates. You'll find entry level and blue-collar jobs and the ones representing the company probably can't help you either
The most important thing is to GET that contact information and remember to follow-up. Request a business card or email address or their Linkedin information, and send a polite email or message on Social Media thanking them for meeting with you and reiterating your interest in the position. (It's best if you are able to do this within two business days.) Too many people pass out loads of resumes at job fairs but don't keep track of where they applied or even what jobs they applied to. Multi-employer hiring events can be very busy and even overwhelming: prepare ahead of time by researching the employers advertised for upcoming job fairs you plan on attending, and when you go keep notes of who you met and the positions they were hiring for.