When more than 200 professionally dressed students looking to enter the workforce attend a job fair, it can only be called a Mega Fair. On Feb. 19, Westwood’s Los Angeles campus hosted approximately 40 employers, including the California Department of Corrections, Target, TJ Maxx and Securitas Security Services, to meet with students about potential job opportunities. Between 150 and 200 interviews were conducted on the spot, and many students walked away with an invitation for a second interview.

Networking with Recruiters at Job Fairs

There are so many job opportunities available at an event like this that you can feel the excitement in the room – both from students and employers. These job fairs keep Westwood fresh in employers’ minds as a viable resource pool for new talent, and it gives our students the opportunity to directly network with recruiters and decision-makers. When looking for a job, face-to-face interaction is always better than sending an online resume to a website and hoping to hear back from human resources.

As a career advisor at Westwood College, I have five tips for students who attend a college career fair:

1. Research the companies that will be at the fair before attending, and target companies you are passionate about.
2. Demonstrate your preparation and knowledge when meeting with a recruiter by knowing at least three facts about the company and its mission.
3. Dress professionally and bring more resumes in a professional-looking file folder than you think you need. Business cards are also a great way to exchange contact information and make you look more professional.
4. Stand out by smiling, giving constant eye contact and showing enthusiasm.
5. Don’t bring a friend with you! You don’t need more competition.

Practice Effective Networking

Even if you aren’t currently searching for a job, career fairs are worth attending. When different companies and job industries congregate in the same location, it allows you to talk to and learn from a wide variety of people. You may stumble upon a company you had never heard about and realize that’s where you want to work, or someone may stumble upon you and realize you will be the perfect employee once you when you graduate. Remember, a successful job search always begins with solid, professional networking.