What's the value of career fairs?
Recently I've been participating to several career fairs and recruiters networking events. To be honest I don't really see how that can be helpful. Recruiters are meeting so many people asking stuff that they will never remember you, and even if they do, is it even that relevant to get a job? I've never heard of someone receiving a referral through such events. In they events they also only tell you about jobs that are already advertised online, so it's not that important.
I feel like writing on LinkedIn to recruiters or to someone in your target position to get on a personal call can be way more useful, as they will remember you much more since there aren't other tens of people asking them the same stuff.
Maybe the value of the events can be in getting some info about deadlines, job offers etc.
Am I doing this completely wrong? What are your takes on the topic?
Well, my friend, you've got a point there. Networking events and career fairs can sometimes feel like a whirlwind of faces and names, and it's easy to wonder if you're just another face in the crowd. But let me tell you, these events are more than just a chance to shake hands and exchange business cards.
Firstly, career fairs are a great opportunity to get a feel for the culture of different firms. You can learn a lot about a company by how their representatives interact with potential candidates. It's also a chance to ask questions that you might not feel comfortable asking in a formal interview setting.
Secondly, while it's true that recruiters meet a lot of people at these events, that doesn't mean they won't remember you. If you make a good impression, stand out from the crowd, and follow up afterwards, you can definitely make a lasting impression.
Thirdly, you're right that the jobs discussed at these events are often advertised online. But attending these events gives you the chance to express your interest in person and ask insightful questions. This can give you an edge over other candidates who only apply online.
Lastly, don't underestimate the power of serendipity. You never know who you might meet or what opportunities might arise from a chance encounter at a career fair.
So, while reaching out on LinkedIn and setting up personal calls is definitely a good strategy, don't discount the value of career fairs. They're just another tool in your job-hunting toolbox. Use them wisely, and they can definitely be worth your time.
And remember, luck is a numbers game. The more companies and professionals you expose yourself to, the more "lucky" or, in other words, the more probable it is for you to land a job. So keep at it!
Sources: Career Fairs Do's and Don’ts, Attending other schools' career fairs?
I've attended lots of career fairs at my uni and after a few years from graduating, I can say they are useful to get an understanding of and exposure to different companies/industries (plus many freebies!), but are useless to secure a job/get a referral. I've talked to a large number of reps/HR people and while most of them were nice and informative, I had a problem with getting anywhere further. My biggest 'achievement' was connecting with some of them on LinkedIn after the fair, but that's it, it was hard to build any connection later on. During those fairs, I also signed up to the mailing lists of many companies / priority lists, so that in theory we were first to hear any info on job postings and company events, but practically I even didn't hear back from a large number of those companies and the rest didn't treat me any different. That's at least my experience from the UK uni, maybe it works slightly differently in other countries.
In my opinion the main two things that work is LinkedIn networking (cold calling or building rapport with alumni, but for that you should already have in mind an industry you're interested in, like IB) and company events with a limited number of attendees. Truth be said, even attending such events doesn't guarantee being successful but it just increases your chances.
One of the benefits is the ability to speak with people working in numerous different fields at one event. Convenience.
You can get a few business cards and do a networking call with the people at the event afterwards to see if any of the people’s jobs appeal to your career interests after college. Oftentimes not, but a good way to learn
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