Get the Most Out of These Expos!

Since 80 percent of jobs are found through networking, it's essential for you to get out and sell yourself. Women For Hire events are great opportunities to meet face-to-face with the front-line decision makers at a wide range of top employers from throughout the country. This is the ideal chance to ask questions, sell yourself, and gather valuable information that you wouldn't otherwise be able to obtain.

Thousands of women have secured terrific jobs at Women For Hire events. The next one could be you.

Here are our top tips to help you prepare for a successful day:

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE:

• Conduct thorough research. Recruiters are not impressed by jobseekers who approach their booth and ask, "What does your company do?" or "What are you hiring for?" Before you arrive, take a look at the list of participating employers and the positions they're recruiting for. This information can be found by visiting our website or by visiting the employer sites directly. Research their products and services, their competitors, and any current news or events they're involved with.

• Prepare a 30-second introduction. Many professionals are initially flustered when asked, "Tell me about yourself." Perhaps they feel pressure by being put on the spot; other times they're simply overwhelmed about the job search process. Since you'll no doubt be introducing yourself over and over throughout the day, practice your pitch in advance of attending any important event. You only have a few seconds to make a strong first impression, and this easy exercise will minimize shyness. Start with your first and last name, then mention your background and expertise, as well as the type of position you're looking for. Be prepared to share two or three of your most impressive accomplishments. Practice your pitch at home in front of a mirror or go a step further and record yourself with a video camera. (If a camera isn't available, use voicemail to record yourself.) Smile while using a confident tone of voice, and pay particular attention to avoiding filler words such as "um" and "like." Your introduction will serve as a great springboard for further conversation.

• Register to attend the Early Morning Seminar. We receive consistent feedback from attendees that the morning seminar, which begins at 8:30a.m. prior to the 10a.m. opening of the career fair, is an inspiring session that offers useful tips on advancing your career. It's an ideal way to begin your day, especially since you'll head straight into the career fair before it opens to the public.

AT THE EVENT:

• Arrive dressed for success . Dress as if you were going to an interview. This may be a polished suit or well-coordinated separates, depending on your own sense of style. Interesting accessories often serve as a great conversation starter. Comfortable shoes are a must. (Since it's important for us to maintain a professional environment, jeans and sweatpants will not be admitted.)

• Don't measure success on the number of résumés you hand out. Some employers have paperless systems that prevent them from accepting resumes because it's not cost-efficient or time-effective for them to leave with hundreds of pieces of paper. This is not true with all employers, only some. Do not feel dejected if a recruiter asks you to submit your résumé through their website. Instead, let them know that you'll follow the requested protocol and use this opportunity to ask questions that can't be answered online. For example, this is your chance to find out about their hiring process: What do they look for in the ideal candidate; how long does it take to fill a position; how many interviews might a candidate expect; is any testing required; when might they expect to make a decision? Feel free to respectfully ask recruiters for candid feedback on your chances of being considered for a specific opening.

• Always get a name. Not every recruiter will want to hand out hundreds of business cards; however all recruiters wear name tags. If you jot down the person's name and their company name, you can always track them down to follow up with a phone call or an email. Be sure to make notes of anything memorable from your conversation or any specific timing or follow-up procedures they mention.

• Talk to other women . Networking is your best source of new job leads. With hundreds of other smart women surrounding you, be sure to introduce yourself and strike up conversations. Don't view everyone as your competition. Many of the attendees might be able to offer you tips and ideas — whether it's a new resource to explore, a job lead, to consider or feedback on your résumé.

• Take advantage of the free resume critique. At each event we bring together a group of local career coaches and resume experts to provide attendees with free advice and candid feedback on their résumés. It's a wise investment of your time to receive validation on your already strong résumé, or constructive feedback on ways to improve this essential document.

AFTER THE EVENT:

• Follow-up . Within 24 hours of leaving the event, send an email to the recruiters you spoke with. Remind them of who you were in the sea of applicants, let them know you've submitted your résumé online (if that was required), give them the job requisition number you've applied for, reiterate your strong qualifications for the position, and ask them to kindly inform you of the next steps. This simple step will set you apart from other event attendees who mistakenly assume that the next steps are always in someone else's hands.

• Stay top-of-mind. Remember that job offers are rarely extended within the timeframes we hope and pray for. These things usually take longer than most of us would like. The candidates who stay top-of-mind by showing their genuine passion for the position are the ones who tend to get the offers. There is a fine line between being polite and pestering someone, so be sure to maintain balance with your follow-up techniques.

• Share your success. We're always interested in hearing from women who've secured jobs or made great contacts and connections at our events. We look forward to celebrating your success too!