Job Fairs for Executives: More Than Kid’s Stuff

Does the prospect of attending a job fair remind you of your first junior high-school dance — both in terms of the awkwardness and the average age of the participants?

Relax a little! While old-school job fairs were most often casting calls for recent college grads, plenty of events nowadays are tailored to fit grownup career goals.

Recruiters and job seekers talked to business writer Kevin Fogarty about different types of career events available to senior-level talent, ranging from nonprofit local gatherings to pricey professional venues. Bottom line: While these events aren't a magic bullet to bag your dream job, they can be a powerful resource for polishing your personal brand, learning about opportunities and making key contacts who can help you on the hunt.

And for folks who are exploring their options while still in their current positions, "It's a safe environment to go job-seeking," career coach Irene Marshall told Fogarty. "Even if you're already employed, it's an acceptable way to research the job market.

"It's a good tool for meeting people, making contacts, learning what's going on. Especially in this economy, that's the most important thing."