If you are looking for your first role in technology, going to a technology job fair is a fantastic way to speak directly to companies.
Although I am currently working as a front-end web developer, it was still worth attending. This allowed me to know what skills are in demand and to see which companies / tech start-ups in the making are in my local market.
However, I understand that networking at a job fair can be intimidating and intimidating. I want to give some tips and practical advice on how to make the most of a job fair and hopefully alleviate some of the fears you may have.
Wait … you have to ask for a place?
Some job fairs may have a selection process. This usually means that you will need to request a place. This is to ensure that candidates have the right balance of skills (Frontend, Backend or Fullstack) and experience (junior, intermediate and senior developers).
So be prepared before applying. Make sure your LinkedIn profile and CV / CV are up to date. It is always worth asking someone to review your CV first. They may ask you to provide other relevant information. These can be links to your GitHub account, your personal wallets and other sites where you present your coding projects.
How do you prepare for a technology job fair?
There are a few things you can do to ease the networking process and get the most out of the experience:
Do your research.
Find out which companies are participating and filter out the companies that interest you. You can learn a lot with a quick search on the Internet!
During the research phase, make a list of the companies you would like to work for. Plus, it makes you look good to potential employers if you have knowledge about their business.
Prepare your business cards and copies of your CV.
If a company is interested in you, it will take your details and you will be added to a mailing list. However, it is always useful to have business cards ready.
Make a plan.
The job fair in which I participated included more than 200 companies. I crossed my list with a map of the companies’ stands so that I could first contact my favorite companies. Career fairs can easily become overwhelming, which will prevent a “headless chicken” approach!
How do you approach companies at a technology job fair?
Make a list of questions to ask.
If you find networking difficult, it helps if I have a list of questions prepared. Here are some of the questions I asked:
Are you currently recruiting junior software developers / engineers?
Do you offer mentorship to junior developers? How do you support your junior developers?
Do you consider candidates from non-traditional backgrounds?
What’s your stack?
Can you tell me a little bit about your interview process?
Are you a family? Do you offer flexible / remote working hours?
Can you tell me a little bit about where the company is going?
What are your core values?
You want to see if you are the right candidate for a business, so try to find out as much as you can. But don’t feel pressured to ask every question on your list. Often, a conversation evolves naturally based on your answers and what they may ask you. Go with the flow.
Set a deadline.
The goal of going to a job fair is to speak to as many companies as possible. It’s a numbers game. The more you approach companies, the more likely you are to get an interview if you have the right skills. Set a time limit for spending time with each business so you can move on to the next.
Be polite and accessible.
I have read in some studies that you are not only judged on what you say, but also on your body language and tone of voice. Just know that non-verbal communication is important.
Remember to introduce yourself with a brief introduction. Career fairs are noisy with lots of people in a confined space, so speak slowly and clearly. When you have finished your conversation, be sure to thank them for their time.
Take notes as you go.
I took notes on the companies I spoke to. It’s easy to forget who you talked to and what you actually talked to. Try to get their contact details or a business card.
Take regular breaks
You may not realize it, but networking is very tiring. You have to keep the energy and enthusiasm throughout the day. Bring drinks and snacks.
Be yourself
Just try to treat it like a friendly conversation. This is a good opportunity to let your personality shine through.
What do you do after the fair?
Well done, you survived your first technological job fair! Now is the time to follow up. If you have collected contact details / business cards, be sure to follow up as soon as possible. Send an email with some details about yourself, including your key skills / experiences and links to your CV, LinkedIn profile, etc.
If you’ve signed up for a business mailing list, it will send you an email in a few days. It helps to have a spreadsheet of the companies you’ve talked to and include notes.
Even if a company is not currently hiring for your skill set and experience, it may hire in the future. Make sure to reach the base with your contacts as you never know what opportunities may arise.
Good luck and good networking!