I have been to around 3 job fairs last year. The first time I went into one was horrible and that’s still an understatement. I was there as if I was just going to the mall. (Err, it’s really held on a mall, Megamall.) But, I was really so unprepared. My friend just dragged me there. I brought only 3 resumes. I dressed sloppily. I looked confused and intimidated. You imagine now? Yeah, I know you can relate...

Job fairs are like, umm, country fairs - hundreds of merchants and a thousand more consumers packed in a small field. It can be very competitive out there. Thus, it’s hard to choose among the “products,” and to make a good impression to the employers. Personally, I hate job fairs.

What are the ways to maximize your job fair "shopping experience," and in effect land a good job? I have listed here some pointers I learned from my own experiences and the ones I read.

1. Bring 10-20 resumes. That’s self-explanatory. Though, the number of resumes that you have to bring depends on how big the fair is. The DOLE hosts several job fairs in a year, and they are really huge, usually joined by more than 50 employers. Check the website of DOLE for the venues and dates.
2. It is also important to check, if available, the participating companies. They usually print it on flyers and banners or post it on the internet. You can check the websites of those companies for their offerings and to collect details that may be useful during the on-the-spot interview.
3. Yes, there’s such thing as on-the-spot interview. So, prepare! Dress properly, act professional, and exude enthusiasm. I know it’s hard to exude enthusiasm after lining up for 2 hours. But still…
4. Bring pens. Expect to fill up reams of application forms.
5. Arrive at the venue several minutes earlier. They usually give away a map of the booths. Formulate your game plan (what booths to visit first etc.).
6. The environment can be very confusing. So, take note of the booths that you’ve already submitted your resume. If possible, take down the names of the representatives.
7. After the interaction with the reps of your target employers, ask them what you have to do next. Ask for calling cards. Check if you can call them to follow-up.
8. Don’t Cry. This last pointer, which I read somewhere on the internet, sounds funny. But, I actually saw one lady cried during my second job fair last July. Yes, employers can sometimes be very harsh. Be ready for rejection. That’s life. The unique thing with job fairs is that you can experience 5 or more rejections within a day. Yeah, that’s brutal.