Between the emergence of AI, remote work, and Web3 in recent years, the greater landscape of business has changed tremendously in a very short span of time. Moreover, besides the rapid pace of emerging technologies, the far-reaching aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to reverberate throughout all areas of life and work.
It feels like anything and everything has become automated, or at the very least digitized, as of late.1 Why spend precious time writing a blog post or product description when a chatbot can do it for you? For that matter, why bother with a commute and bagged lunch if you can just Zoom into today’s meeting from the comfort of your living room?
The proliferation and easy accessibility of such life-changing technologies is undeniably a boon for entry-level employees and CEOs alike, but it’s worth remembering that this new age of automation we all find ourselves living in has also changed how professionals are hired in the first place. AI programs are routinely relied upon by major organizations to parse through applications and resumes, and it’s now entirely normal for candidates to have multiple virtual interviews before ever stepping foot in an actual office and shaking some hands.
Consequently, many job seekers and pundits are now skeptical that a place remains in modern business for more traditional, or old school, hiring practices. Considered by many younger professionals to be nothing more than a remnant of HR practices long past, there is perhaps no better example of a once universally accepted career-building pillar now seemingly going the way of the dodo than the job fair.2
What is a job fair?
Job fairs, also known as career fairs, have historically been seen as stellar starting locations for burgeoning professionals to begin “pounding the pavement” as they say in pursuit of a full-time job. A job fair is an event, usually held in an auditorium or conference center, where multiple employers can set up shop for a few days with a booth displaying relevant information about their business, any open positions they’re looking to fill, and current employee experiences or testimonials. Each booth is usually manned by at least a handful of employees available to answer questions and provide more details about their company.
While it’s normal for professionals of any age across virtually all industries to attend job fairs, such events are often geared toward younger job seekers, or recent high school and college graduates. Career fairs are also a useful resource for longer tenured workers considering a different line of work.
Some job fairs are general in nature and feature a wide array of organizations ranging from government agencies like the FBI to software developers. Other career fairs are more focused on specific industries. An engineering career fair, for example, or a public service job fair.
If the idea of walking from booth to booth in pursuit of advancing your career sounds strange, blame it on the year you were born. Job fairs made perfect sense in decades past when the internet didn’t have a vice grip on hiring practices. Today, they feel about as antiquated as when mom or dad keep asking why you don’t simply walk right into a business, start shaking hands, and land yourself a lucrative new job within a matter of minutes.
Of course, the classics are classics for a reason. Skepticism aside, younger job seekers should recognize job fairs still very much represent a worthwhile endeavor in 2024.3 Here are four reasons why career fairs can help you land a fantastic new job.
A networking goldmine
Few events offer as many networking opportunities as a job fair. Every booth you visit may not result in an immediate job offer or opportunity, but forging new professional connections today may end up paying career dividends tomorrow. Actually introducing yourself in person to HR reps will help you stand out among a sea of online applicants. Career fairs are also a great place to connect with like-minded colleagues seeking employment in the same field.
Interview practice
Job interviews are stressful. You only have a matter of minutes to make a good impression and seamlessly answer numerous questions about your experiences and expertise. Speaking with legitimate recruiters and other decision makers at job fairs can help inexperienced job seekers become more comfortable with the social side of landing a job. While still potentially nerve wracking, job fairs are usually much more casual and low-key, allowing attendees to converse with organizations in a low-stress environment.
Follow-up opportunities
Perhaps you’ve already applied to a specific company online for an open position, but still haven’t heard back from the employer. If you see that same organization at the local job fair, the personnel running that booth may be able to look up the status of your application. Even if that isn’t possible, introducing yourself and bringing up the application will help you stand out in a way that a follow-up email never could. At the very least you can make some real life contacts at the company that will come in handy for the next job opening.
Facetime with decision makers
While the personnel present will vary from company to company and depending on the event, in many cases businesses send recruiters and members of the HR department to job fairs. In other words, the very same people you meet at many booths are the professionals selecting candidates for interviews and determining who moves forward in the hiring process. Just a few moments of interaction can make all the difference by adding a face and personality to your name and application.
1. Reskilling in the Age of AI
2. Do career fairs still have value?
3. 6 Reasons Why Career Fairs Still Matter in the LinkedIn Era
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