Stop and think about it. Other than income you derive from various tasks and responsibilities you perform on job, are there any other reasons you get up every morning before birds do, drive your car in rush-hour traffic, get into office and go to several meetings throughout day that have yet to change life as we know it, and sit at your desk going through all things you need to go through that are a part of what’s been called, work?

You’ve been doing this for a long time. You’ve been putting up with office politics, with a lot of grief from your supervisors, peers and direct reports, and then coming home a bit less energized than when you left twelve hours earlier, only to face other issues on home front. Other than money, what has been motivating you all these years?

Hopefully, you have been able to derive a measure of satisfaction from doing those things that have tapped your creativity and utilized a good percentage of your talents, capabilities and unique gifts. Hopefully, you have followed your passion over years and associated yourself with types of jobs and careers for which you have felt a lot of enthusiasm, and from which you have been able to experience tremendous fulfillment.

A) Purpose of Career Fairs B) How To Best Prepare C) Tips & Strategies During The Fair D) Career Fair Follow-Up

A) PURPOSE OF CAREER FAIRS ========================== Career fairs are designed to provide job seekers a way to explore career opportunities within a variety of companies at one location. Job seekers should take advantage of these fairs to be better informed about job market. Career fairs must be a part of your overall job search process. It’s a great way to learn about job openings, research companies and practice your interviewing and networking skills.

B) HOW TO BEST PREPARE ========================== Its important to make most of your time at career fairs. There will be many employers and even more job seekers vying for attention so its critical that you prepare in advance of setting foot into career fair.

Here are 5 tips that can help you be well prepared:

#1 - PRIORITIZE Find out what companies are going to be attending prior to day of career fair and identify and prioritize top companies that you definitely want to visit.

#2 - RESEARCH Spend a little time researching these companies; more you know better. Use Internet, library, etc. Employers love talking to candidates who are familiar with their company and business. It also makes you look smart. Candidates who are knowledgeable about a company come across as intelligent and interested.

#3 - YOUR RESUME Create and/or refine your resume and bring many, many clean, crisp copies to handout. This is very imporant!

#4 - APPROACH Create a one-minute introduction that summarizes your skills, goals, experience, etc. Practice this until you are comfortable using this as your opening. The career fair will present many mini interviews and you need to be prepared for this. Anticipate interview questions and practice your responses.

#5 - APPEARANCE Dress professionally – don’t wear shorts and sandals. Use good judgement in what you wear and project professionalism. Bring a nice folder to carry your resumes and a notepad and pen for taking notes.

C) TIPS & STRATEGIES DURING THE FAIR ==================================== Follow these tips below and you are on your way to a more productive career fair.

- Relax and plan on spending time at fair. Career fairs are not that frequent so plan your time well. Try to avoid standing in long lines. Go early if possible because first hour is usually slowest.

- Always request business cards or at least get an email address so that you can follow-up and pursue leads.