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Going to a career fair can be an overwhelming experience. After all, it is filled with hiring managers who can offer you a position, potentially on the spot. Plus, there is a slew of other candidates who are also hoping to land an opportunity, making the environment feel a bit competitive. 

Making a good impression when you speak with hiring managers at a career fair is essential if you are looking to secure a new role. While this sounds like a challenging undertaking, it doesn’t have to be a daunting experience. By asking the hiring manager the right questions, you can stand out from the crowd and increase your odds of being viewed as a top candidate. If you don’t know where to begin, here are some tips that can help. 

Ask Thoughtful Questions About Open Positions 

A little research before you attend a job fair can make a world of difference. Most candidates arrive, give the hiring manager some insight into their background, and then ask if there are any available jobs. While the hiring manager may confirm there are open positions, they likely won’t want to spend time going over each one with every person who speaks with them. 

If you want to make a good impression and increase your chances of landing a job, you need to do some research. Find out which companies are attending in advance and then peruse their job boards to learn about available positions. Then, when you approach the hiring manager, you can ask questions about the roles that align with your capabilities, making the conversation more meaningful for you both. 

For example, you can let the hiring manager know you saw a particular job listing and ask them to describe their ideal candidate for the position. You could also request details about the challenge that position solves or if your background could be a good fit. 

Find Out About the Hiring Manager’s Experience 

During a job fair, you don’t want the conversation to focus solely on you. Instead, it needs to be balanced, allowing you to build a relationship with the hiring manager. 

By asking the hiring manager what their experience with the company has been like, you can start to build a rapport. Plus, you’ll learn more about the environment and culture, allowing you to assess whether the opportunity might be a good fit. 

Learn About the Hiring Process 

Every hiring process is different. When you are at the job fair, ask the hiring manager how the company approaches hiring, including the various stages and anticipated timelines. This is another conversation that can help you learn about the company’s culture. Additionally, it gives you insights into their level of organization or if they genuinely plan to fill the role that caught your interest in the near future. 

By asking questions in the areas above, you can make sure your career fair experience is valuable while increasing your odds of catching the hiring manager’s eye. If you’d like to learn more about how to make the most of your time at a career fair, the team at TempStaff can help. Contact us to speak with one of our skilled recruiters today and see how our hiring process expertise can benefit you. If you’re ready to find a new job in Mississippi today, click here!

 

 


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