Approximately 1.94 million young individuals are unemployed in Bangladesh. (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey 2023)
(https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/368904/bbs-survey-1.94-mn-youth-unemployed-in-bangladesh)
The number is pretty alarming, right? What is more alarming is lakhs and lakhs of young and fresh graduates are coming out of university and the percentage of unemployment is increasing. Many of them lack proper knowledge on creating a formal CV, job hunting, and the current job industry! Companies are unable to find the best upcoming leaders and freshers are losing great opportunities.
This is why attending a job or career fair is crucial, as both parties can meet great opportunities. These fairs open chances to network with people and become more aware of understanding industry values.
Well, job fair is actually different than the one-to-one interviews, and understanding the whole situation is different. Let’s dive into what the freshers need to know about these job fairs and how these fairs are beneficial for you.
What is a job fair?
As you know, university goers usually attends this job fair. But what is this? It is an event that is arranged by the host employers form different brands to pick the most eligible future employees. It is a temporary hub for employers to display information about their businesses, employee experience and open positions. These fairs vary by size and focus. Like, some are focused on the specialized subjects, whereas some are not. If you have a specific industry in mind, it would be ideal to attend a job fair with that focus.
Benefits of a job fair
To create proper communication skills, attending job fairs is the best because it really takes guts to talk with strangers, and showcase your credibility to them. Moreover, you can learn about your desired position in the desired companies directly. There are many benefits you can reap by attending job fairs, including the following:
Network with several employers
By meeting many different potential employers, your chance of finding a good prospect for an interview or employment position increases. Many job fairs are large events, and the number of employers may help you discover opportunities.
Meet eager employers
Another great advantage of a job fair is that employers are ready to meet potential hires. Compared to messaging companies online, cold calling their offices or even visiting during business hours, a job fair is full of employers not only looking to hire someone new but also to meet them in that venue.
Gain contact information and interviews
Let’s say you hope to find a job at a tech company, and so you visit that company’s booth at a job fair. You meet the person running the company’s booth and make a great impression during a short interview. Afterward, the manager gives you the phone number for their supervisor. The supervisor’s information isn’t listed online. However, because you attended the job fair, you now have their direct contact information to start the next steps with the company.
Experience a low-pressure setting
Job fairs can feel lower in pressure than other job-seeking environments. As a result of the crowds, impressions are quick and conversations are fairly casual. As a result, some people feel more comfortable at a job fair compared to more one-on-one ways to job hunt and network.
How to derive the most value form a job fair?
Be unplanned and lose the opportunities! A handful of job seekers come without understanding what to do and how to do it! Have a very precise plan to get the most out of a job fair. Mark the event schedule, timing and dates ahead. So that you don’t miss it at the last moment. Then look up the companies that are attending and what positions they are offering, so it gets easy to understand where you want to drop your CV. And also you can be mentally prepared to approach as well.
If you are only interested in a few companies, you can quickly visit each at the beginning of your visit so that you are sure to connect with those hiring executives before the fair closes.
At a career fair, preparation matters. Coming in as an informed professional can increase your confidence and focus. There is no guarantee of receiving an offer at a job fair, but one good potential opening could point you in the right direction. Regardless, job fairs are excellent ways to learn about industries, connect with professionals and practice interviewing.
How to prepare for a job fair?
As said earlier, you may not ensure a job in a job fair, but there is a probability that you can. But as you know, first impression is the last impression. So, if you can create a good impression, the hiring executive can remember you during the selection process. These tips can help you get the most out of your time spent visiting booths and talking to employers at a job fair and get the best results.
1. Practice stress-reducing activities beforehand
If you are nervous, remember that the employers are there because they want to hire someone. You could be their perfect candidate for an important job, and you now have the opportunity to show them your skills. Take deep breaths and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, fists on your hips, chin high, and shoulders back to increase confidence.
2. Dress professionally
Look for any information about the required attire. If the job fair provides none, it is smart to assume that business casual attire is appropriate.
3. Register for the event, if possible
Most job fairs have organizers who check everyone who visits the event and keep records of them. Not only is registering professional, but employers who lost their contact information could get it from an organizer.
4. Practice your interactions
Work on handshakes, eye contact, and how you will briefly explain who you are and what kind of work you are looking for. It can be helpful to prepare a brief elevator pitch to use when introducing yourself.
5. Come with materials
Bring copies of your resume and business cards (if you have any). Consider also bringing a pen and paper for taking notes as well as breath mints gum, as you will be talking to many people throughout the day.
6. Be ready to interview
While on-the-spot job interviews aren’t guaranteed, they can happen. Be prepared to do a short interview if an employer asks. Before entering the fair, make time to think about your responses to common questions.
7. Review and update your resume
It helps to have several different people look it over before the fair. Include strong, direct language. If you are interested in multiple positions or companies, consider making resumes targeted to each. For instance, if you would like to work as either a tutor or in human resources, you could create separate resumes specialized toward showing your skills and experience in each of those areas.
8. Consider bringing a friend
If you have a friend looking for a job, think about asking them to join you at the event. This can help you feel more comfortable and confident.
Tips for approaching the recruiters
Here are some tips for how to approach recruiters at a career fair.
Be open
Show interest when speaking with employers, even if you aren’t necessarily looking to work for them. Your opinion may change over time and someone at the booth could know an important person in your ideal company.
Collect and keep business cards
The contact information is often useful and you will show employers that you care about what they do.
Talk to people
Make conversation with other job seekers when appropriate. Someone you talk to could give you a helpful tip or provide an important connection.
What to do after visiting the job fair?
Make it a point to take detailed notes during the event: who you spoke with, what you discussed, and whether there were any next steps. Once you are home, build a simple follow-up plan — prioritize reaching out to your top job leads while the conversations are still fresh.
It’s also important to walk in with the right mindset. A job fair isn’t a high-stakes interview; it’s a more relaxed setting where you can explore opportunities, ask questions, and grow your professional network. Even if you don’t land a job on the spot, you are laying down the groundwork for future oopportunities. Remember: a job fair is just one tool in your toolkit. Keep showing up, keep investing in your future, and take pride in every step you take toward building your career.