Job Fairs

[ckay87]

Somehow I came to be 40 years old and never attended a job fair, which is embarassing. So I could use any simple advice to convey to my son. He's 17 and has not yet been employed. Our local ski area is holding a job fair in a few weeks and he's (of course) very interested in working there for the upcoming ski season. What do you think he should expect - how do these things work? Should he take several copies of a completed application? Does he send an application in before the event? Is there any point in preparing a resume (seems silly for something like this, but who knows?) Do they interview you right there? Again, just looking for some advice to pass on to him. Thanks!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Your son needs to be dressed and ready to impress.

If he can already have the job application filled out before going that is great. I think if he has any kind of job experience than a resume is needed. He also needs to be prepared for LOTS of people. Last job fair around here had over 600 people in it.

Companies do interview and hire that day so he needs to be prepared for the whole job process.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Be prepared with a resume, application, etc.

You need to gather all info with names of schools, addresses, references, phone numbers, dates, work history, volunteering, etc.

It would be helpful if he could list teachers at school for his references. I would have him ask them if he can list them for a job reference.

Key is to have everything at your fingertips because if he does not have all his info he will get passed over. You treat a job fair like a job interview.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Somehow I came to be 40 years old and never attended a job fair, which is embarassing. So I could use any simple advice to convey to my son. He's 17 and has not yet been employed. Our local ski area is holding a job fair in a few weeks and he's (of course) very interested in working there for the upcoming ski season. What do you think he should expect - how do these things work? Should he take several copies of a completed application? Does he send an application in before the event? Is there any point in preparing a resume (seems silly for something like this, but who knows?) Do they interview you right there? Again, just looking for some advice to pass on to him. Thanks!

Definitely bring in resume and copies of completed applications if available/applicable.

When I was unemployed in 2008, I went to one job fair and swore never to go to another one. It was all insurance companies and banks (they didn't announce the participants in advance), and I walked out pretty quickly.

Has your son approached the individual resorts in advance? I might suggest he send his qualifications in a well-stated letter to the resorts in advance of the job fair, and mention that he's looking forward to speaking to them at the job fair on XX date at XX place.

Make sure that he picks up business cards and writes thank you notes to whoever he speaks to at the fair.

And wish him luck!

 

[dolphinrescuegirl]

I did a job fair for an amusement park when I was in high school. I went dressed up and prepared with all my info. We filled out an application upon arriving and then turned them in. When we turned them in, we were given a number. When your number was called, you did an interview. I was offered a job on the spot. I think most people were. I know my friends I went with were also all offered a job. Good luck to him!