Job Fair Advice: How to Use Your 5 Minutes to Get an Interview

[@andylacivita]

Hey Everyone! Job fairs are tough. I know it. Let me know what you're struggling with when it comes to them and I will help you!

[@Suraj-tp8oo]

Hi Andrew! I am a grad student (from India) at Texas A&M University.Do you have any specific tips for me to have a natural conversation at the fair? (esp. beginning the chat and dealing with awkward pauses) A lot of tips I see on youtube might be useful for native English speakers, but I feel I would come across as borderline creepy/fake if I followed them.

[@jamesduffy1758]

Hey Andrew! I have two job fairs I am going to tomorrow, unfortunately I am pretty shy which makes me seem a little less confident than the average applicant. Any tips for being a able to play that off with recruiters? Thanks in advanced!

[@harshgupta4547]

Hi Andrew. I am a sophomore and whenever I visit a booth at the career fair, I start to panic and as a result I am not able to speak confidently. So what should I do about that?

[@angelngisele6880]

Hy my name is gisele I’m struggling with everything 😭

[@TherealTFfromKingston]

I feel like what I’m struggling with more is being and sounding comfortable/confident while explaining everything that makes me qualified, without sounding overreaching and robotic. I think I like it as a conversational set up though. This way sounds way more natural and can even allow me to remember what to say when to say it

[@ginab.4605]

This was the best advice thus far. Everyone else suggest elevator pitches. It didn't make sense to me to go up to someone and start talking for 30 secs about myself without letting them get a word in. There has to be interaction and this is the example I was looking for, thanks!

[@Poetry4Peace]

O I AGREE WHOLESOMELY

[@adityapillai3091]

Totally agree

[@Chrissanthumum]

I loved that. I actually have a formula that I have been using all day today to try to make an impression at a job fair tomorrow, but I realize that I won't have time to do much research for all the company stalls I want to visit. You really made it simple. Now I feel so much more confident approaching representatives that I otherwise would probably shy away from speaking with just because I did not get to do all the research I wanted to do.Thank you so much!

[@andylacivita]

You’re welcome!!

[@robbiebennett45]

Thank you so much. I truthfully watched this video this morning before my career fair and this pitched helped me start the conversation off so smoothly every single time. I was able to incorporate it into pitches with companies I already knew. I could throw personal connection in and then use what you said and it was so helpful. I am thankful I watched this video!

[@andylacivita]

Love it!!!

[@Eiad.Alhamed]

Thanks for the video. However, I feel skeptical about this. It feels like being on a date and asking the woman "how do you like your man?" and once she answers, you say "well, that's exactly how I am".

[@joang.6664]

I personally agree with you.. The technique offered in this video (of asking the recruiter, what is that they are looking for in the entry level candidate) is the worst thing you can do. For two reasons. 1.It shows you have not done your research before the career fair..(and haven't even looked at their job descriptions on company website..) A big NoNo.. 2.It is bound to annoy the recruiter who had to explain "what does your company do" and "what kind of positions do you have " about a thousand times before you got there to other ppl.. Asking about what they want from candidate and then saying you are the one is childish trick and will only piss them off.. At this point you become just another face in the line up and subconsciously recruiter just wants for this day to be over. He or she will forget about your resume as soon as you are gone.. No, that is not the way to do it. I believe one has to impress them with their personality match, and to offer them a good boost of energy, telling them how YOU will solve their problems by being what they are looking for. That will get you remembered at the end of the long day. 😁

[@stephenmegos692]

Well if you think about it, that's kind of what you do on a date. It might not be that blunt (but then again, you usually have more than 5 or 10mins on a date). But when you go on a date, you're trying to get a feel for what the other person looks for in a partner. Maybe they want to be with someone that enjoys hiking and the outdoors. Well maybe it just so happens that you just went on a camping trip and you really enjoyed it, so you try and highlight those things about yourself and the other person will do the same. If it's a match then great, you're in! and if it isn't there you move on. But also, at a job fair, you're trying to give the recruiter a reason to learn more about you. You're trying to convince them to give you a call back and seriously interview you because maybe they saw something they like in your background.

[@ToxicRangers24]

Got a career fair on Thursday, definitely going to use this advice. Thanks so much!

[@andylacivita]

ya baby!!

[@eporjane9655]

Thank you for this video. I have a job fair tomorrow hopefully will get a 10 stars and a call back.

[@svetaegorova9856]

My experience that it's more about how you click with the person who you talk to and not about what they are looking for... And also connections- connections- connections... Thats how they hire(((((

[@lazybeastz182]

really? i thought my social anxiety wasn't going to hold me back if im good technically

[@lazybeastz182]

taylor swift feet

[@maritza5625]

I agree, there the interview has to click with you! In other words they have like you, ya like your back in Highschool.. Lol.. I'm not kidding!

[@nycbklynrmp]

look at the positions first on their site, it looks like you are proactive and took the time to research

[@gevindarizkidewi2547]

Tomorrow, I will attend a job fair and this advice seems wonderful, hopefully it works and I'll get back to you for an update. Thanks, Andy!

[@andylacivita]

Gevinda Rizki Dewi you’re so welcome!

[@jenakiki8006]

Did u get a call back??

[@gevindarizkidewi2547]

@@jenakiki8006 I got 2 callbacks for management trainee position

[@jenakiki8006]

Gevinda Rizki Dewi ohh sounds great

[@HaileySunshineDesigns]

Thank you so much! Headed into a job fair right now and this was huge

[@harm005]

how did it go ?? were you able to secure a job

[@shanemaclennan4787]

Very helpful video, straight forward and concise. Thank you so much!

[@andylacivita]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Franksdad_deanmartinonrepeat]

Definitely using this tomorrow at my fair. Thanks, Andrew!

[@andylacivita]

Great to hear Scott! Good luck!

[@wilsonwong8176]

Great video. Honestly this video and the one by self-made millennial are all I needed to ball out at my first career fair

[@andylacivita]

Did this one A LONG TIME ago but it still applies. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nmkone2207]

I love this insight, going to my first job fair next week. Fingers crossed.

[@TheTinnin]

how did it work out?

[@BlazeNarutoShippuden]

Thank you for making this video. I really want to change my life around and I hope the Job Fair I go to today is my chance and golden opportunity. I will be using your advice for sure.

[@andylacivita]

BlazeNarutoShippuden wonderful to hear and lots of luck!

[@BlazeNarutoShippuden]

@@andylacivita Wow, the very first booth I went to and used your advice and he marked something on my Resume. He was the only one to mark my resume. Other than that, I walked around and got brochures etc while talking here and there. But that first booth was the only one I felt I left an impression on. Thank you so much man!

[@isidoramartinez6510]

BlazeNarutoShippuden did you get it

[@BlazeNarutoShippuden]

@@isidoramartinez6510 Sadly no

[@hamidofwinterfell8002]

BlazeNarutoShippuden was it worth even going to?

[@infamousbri_4231]

I have a job fair tomorrow. Thank you for the tips!

[@andylacivita]

Good luck!!

[@idek1017]

Any updates?

[@infamousbri_4231]

@@idek1017 My career fair was cancelled because of the hurricanes i’m in florida🫤 but they are rescheduled for the end of the month so I’ll let you know then!

[@Suzi_P]

Thank you for sharing. I will definitely use this for my job fair this week

[@andylacivita]

You're welcome Suzy!

[@loveroftruth8148]

What i dont understand is i was told to research the companies that will be there so you have some prior knowledge about them. But job fairs dont tell you which companies will be there. How can we prepare for that if we dont know what companies will be there?? Thank u sir :)

[@heyitsalma]

I would check the social media of the company hosting the event! I had the same problem and checked their FB page and it was there. So I would definitely check them out through there

[@stephenroberts2526]

You could check with local staffing agencies (i.e. Workforce offices) to find out what they know about the job fair. Even if they aren't a part of it, they likely have some knowledge about it. Also, check with the venue where it is being held. They would know which companies have registered, or would have contact information for the person or group that would have a list of companies attending.

[@dailytransformationthrough2169]

Thanks for this informative video as I'm new to job fairs. Thanks so much, it really help.

[@andylacivita]

So glad I could help!!

[@shawfinch361]

very clear, very well-organized, very helpful. thank you

[@andylacivita]

Glad you liked it Chloe!

[@bionicbubble23]

Wouldn't the recruiter rather have the candidates already aware of what they are looking for? I thought it was important to research the positions they have open before going to the job fair?

[@andylacivita]

The candidates are aware of what they're looking for. they're asking to company to let them know what the company is looking for.

[@isidoramartinez6510]

bionicbubble23 good comment, two booths referred me to the website to look into this. Don’t see the point of having recruiters out searching for candidates if everyone is getting referred to the website.

[@Nicole-vn7id]

I have been really enjoying your videos! I am so glad to have found them! A video I didn't see that covered my question is: Is it still okay to walk into a company and ask for a job? I know doing this isn't so popular anymore with applying online. However, there are a few companies that I am interested in and I don't know how else to apply or see if they have any job openings. Could you help? How would you go about doing this?

[@andylacivita]

Nicole. Great to have you here! I would try a different technique. Check out my video on how to apply when there’s no job opening. There is a cover letter in that video as well. You can use this technique for any company at any time.

[@Poetry4Peace]

Greatto Know Prooer prep FOR MY JOBS FAIR . Just in ask about what the employer is looking for!

[@andylacivita]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@accountsequity5587]

Straight to the point

[@demetriusdemarcusbartholom8063]

Thank you from Bangladesh!

[@atifghafoor6258]

Does it make sense to go to these if you already have a job and are looking for other things out there or are they more for people without jobs.

[@juliuslee1574]

Thank you so so so much for this advice! 🙏🏻 God bless you sir!

[@andylacivita]

You’re welcome Julius.

[@Luna11280]

I'm going to a high school job fair in a couple of days I have resumes printing out and am practicing

[@andylacivita]

Awesome, good luck and go get 'em!

[@daanishfiaz7579]

So what if you don't match any of the skills they mention? Do you just say that's interesting and walk away?

[@DEUSNIBYOt]

Following u here in UAE. I am searching a job as a Safety Officer.

[@andylacivita]

Wonderful to have you!!

[@kakjsd]

Going to use this today at my univ's career fair. Let's see how it goes...

[@andylacivita]

WONDERFUL!!!

[@dayanaruniqueexperiences5856]

Thank you for the video. What if the job seeker has disabilities do we mention them when we are meeting the employers?

[@andylacivita]

It depends what the disabilities are. If the disabilities will affect your ability to do the job, then you should mention it. Many times, employers will ask this on an application. If that’s the case, I would let them know. Sometimes people have disabilities that are managed through medication or disabilities, which will not affect in anyway their ability to do the job. In those cases, I probably wouldn’t mention it.

[@idcabtnun]

go a job fair in a few hrs thanks for the tips ill lyk how it goes 🤝

[@andylacivita]

Good luck!

[@deligonzalez3522]

Andrew Can I borrow This Video? Im having am activity detection in my corporate index and I do not allow that kind of activity. Your video is very educative and it makes perfect sense for the vacancies that are included within my system. Thank you I shared it in my company FB. After your ok of course!

[@andylacivita]

Share away Deli!

[@moneyfirstkenny]

Great advice my man!

[@andylacivita]

You're soooo welcome!

[@itsasarahh]

Most companies actually give a pair to the school about what jobs they offer and what they’re looking for. If you can look at that before, you’ll have more of an “in” with the company and they’ll be impressed with your research.

[@andylacivita]

Great tip!

[@-mustang-9383]

But nowdays, everything will be posted on the website and what I experienced was, the company always will point out to the internet

[@davidperry2541]

I'm going to one next Saturday and this is my first time I'm really nervous about going

[@andylacivita]

You'll do well. I know it!

[@brunoctavio]

Hope it went well!

[@kiwonder1708]

Thank you! 👍

[@andylacivita]

You're welcome Naheed!

[@Cloud420-bx2kw]

I’m using this today I’m so nervous thanks for this helpful video

[@andylacivita]

You're welcome Claudia!

[@solangefagundes2470]

What is there no job position you see yourself doing? You just don’t go, or still go, make connections and maybe they have something else?

[@cody9031]

Amazing!! Thanks 🙏🏻

[@andylacivita]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@GooglyMcDoubleface]

I agree with that. Im 48 and really don't plan on careers at all. i resell profit items to customers all over the country.

[@andylacivita]

You got this Stevie. it's never too late to start planning!

[@GooglyMcDoubleface]

I resell items and offer a licensed shipping software to companies for fast shipping. Have been selling on amazon and ebay and have another selling platform will start to see results. I rather higher someone with their experience than these companies.

[@neverhungryagain2187]

Oh

[@guinswandati7104]

Hi sir good day to you ineed your help ineed my work

[@janethcastrejon7389]

Great advice Andrew!

[@andylacivita]

Thanks so much Janeth!!!

[@williamyeung4563]

Hello, I am a sophomore college student, and I have a career fair event coming up soon. I am actually trying to seek an internship. Would the tips in this video apply to that as well?

[@MoeYanGon]

It's the same approach.

[@coliesamuels]

Great advise

[@d.joseph98]

Thanks! I go tomorrow. Really nervous 😬

[@andylacivita]

You will be great I'm sure!

[@quadare1]

Thank you so much

[@andylacivita]

You’re welcome!

[@amawkow3225]

Just WOW hehehe. I love your advice very much. hehe

[@andylacivita]

Thanks Amaw!!!

[@amawkow3225]

+Andrew LaCivita welcome. I'm ELiazar, btw :)

[@andylacivita]

Thanks Eliazar!

[@souljarohill8795]

Shouldn’t we know what they are looking for in an entry level candidate?

[@andylacivita]

No. You don’t work there. They’ll never know unless you ask. A job description Doesn’t even tell you exactly what they want!

[@joelgongupalli641]

Great advice!

[@andylacivita]

Thanks Joel!!

[@isidoramartinez6510]

Hello, attended a job fair used your same words and today is week 2 with no call. Lol

[@andylacivita]

Sorry to hear! Hang in there!

[@ENGRingSuccess]

Good video!

[@andylacivita]

thank you!!

[@Pursuehappines]

Good advice

[@andylacivita]

Glad you liked it!

[@Jjrmtv]

this is wise advice, thank you for sharing

[@andylacivita]

Viking12 glad you liked it!

[@tutorialbd7024]

Thanks

[@andylacivita]

You're welcome!

[@pebblez_]

Wow 3 min video nice

[@andylacivita]

Thanks!

[@anthonycicero59]

I Have A EXCELLENT RESUME FOR THE Job I Like APPLICATION 2 THUMBS FOR YOUR VIDEOS AND WEBSITES I LIKE HELP PEOPLE THANKYOU

[@andylacivita]

Thank you Anthony!!!

[@youcan_sprules]

It's best

[@MrGamingXD1]

Hey, I have a question. Every website tells me to do research on the company. What exactly do they mean by that? Also, suppose Company X is coming to job fair and I'm interested in that company so before the Job Fair, I go to their website to look for any internships that I'm interested in and wanna talk to them about, but when I look on their website, there are no internships posted. So during the job fair, i will have no idea what I'm even applying for apart from knowing the company name. So what exactly is the purpose of Job Fair when the companies do not post their internship opportunities on their website for students to look before hand.

[@andylacivita]

Great questions. I'd suggest checking out 2 videos I have on these topics. One is a live office hours session I did on 10 steps to prepare for a job interview. The other is my video on job fairs. I think both of those will help you greatly! And, the short answer it to look at the overall company, its site, positions, culture, reports (if they're available publicly), the people who work there, and so forth. Hope that gets you started!

[@guinswandati7104]

I am from Philippines Iwant go to abroad my skill is welder or steel work

[@salmeenc]

anyone here who tried this technique and it worked? share your experience please :D

[@andylacivita]

Salmeen. I get emails quite often about this and how effective it is. I’m not sure if you breezes through other comments but perhaps zip through them to see if some have already commented.

[@andylacivita]

Also, why not try it and test it?

[@salmeenc]

Andrew LaCivita I did. I asked cause today I am going to a job fair and I am gonna try this for sure 😀 so I thought maybe ask if anyone ever was successful at this 😀

[@fantasticfactos9099]

I am just here to comment

[@andylacivita]

Wondeful to have you!

[@fantasticfactos9099]

@@andylacivita Thanks 😊

[@donnynguyen592]

Everyone in these comments are from 3+ years ago attending job fairs. I wonder how they are all doing now.

[@andylacivita]

I hope they’re doing well!!

[@kashifshehzad2328]

gr8 video

[@andylacivita]

Thanks Kashif!

[@kashifshehzad2328]

@@andylacivita welcome Andrew

[@KFashion7]

if you think about it, it's like a first/blind date...

[@andylacivita]

So true!

[@116AuroraDrive]

# Career Fairs

[@guinswandati7104]

my skill is welder steel work

[@kalebfanta3832]

NOW I HAVE ENOUGH MONEY AND ENOUGH DISEASE FROM ABUSE BECUASE I HAVE MONEY I DONT NEED TO WORK. HE SAID YOU DONT WORK LET HIM WORK IF INJUSTICE IS WORK.

[@dumpling3309]

Are you ok?

[@edithaku8329]

Am interest in charm,need job

[@Snipingbentleys]

This didn’t help for engineering. Back to the drawing boards...

[@andylacivita]

It helps for every curriculum. I was an electric engineer. Lol.