Tara Weiss, 04.15.09, 10:41 AM EDT
It will be jammed with job-seekers--so follow these steps to set yourself apart as someone to hire.


When Monster.com held a career fair in Manhattan in March, 3,700 job-seekers packed the place. A recent job fair held by General Dynamics Information Technology in Fairfax, Va., attracted 1,000. And Targeted Job Fairs, a company that holds fairs across North America, reports that traffic to its events is up by 64% in the first quarter of this year over a year before.

With so many people crowding job fairs, are they even worth attending?

"Absolutely," says Eric Winegardner, vice president of client adoption at Monster.com, which is sponsoring more than 100 job fairs across the country. "It cuts out the Internet way of recruiting and brings people together face to face."
In Pictures: How To Stand Out At A Job Fair

Yes, but you sometimes have to wait in line for an hour just to get in. How promising can that be? Well, consider this: At the General Dynamics fair, about 30 candidates were offered jobs on the spot.

How did those lucky few break through the sea of job-seekers?

"They had the right combination of skills, and they presented themselves well," says Tim Strike, senior manager of recruiting and staffing at General Dynamics. "They fit our opportunities exactly, and they were professional and prepared."

That's the key.

There are several ways you can find out about job fairs in your area. Targeted Job Fairs' Web site, targetedjobfairs.com, lets you search by city or ZIP code, and you can sign up to receive e-mails when something's happening in your area. Monster.com offers a list of upcoming career fairs on its homepage, and nationalcareerfairs.com also allows a search by region or ZIP code. Also check your state's Department of Labor Web site. It too will list upcoming fairs

When possible, pre-register. In so doing, you will learn what companies will be there, which means you can research those companies and get a sense of what jobs they'll be trying to fill.

"If you come to my table and say, 'I read about your company, and I understand you're hiring for customer service positions,' that says you took the time and found out about us," says Gregg Fiorentino, human resources manager at DGA Security Systems, a New York City company that provides security and fire systems for commercial properties. "That makes you stand out for sure."

Once you're in front of a recruiter, you'll have five or 10 minutes to deliver your sales pitch. "Prepare five key talking points about your experience," says Tom Silver, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Dice Holdings, the parent company of Targeted Job Fairs. Explain what kind of position you're looking for, how your experience fits that job and what you've achieved in past jobs. For example, talk about money you saved a company or initiatives that got clients.

"It's your time to shine, so tell us your success stories," says Fiorentino.

Don't try to be a jack of all trades, Fiorentino says: "So many people came up to our table, and when we asked what kind of opportunity they were interested in, they said, 'What kind of opportunity are you hiring for?' That tells me you don't know what you're looking for."

Recruiters say they're very often surprised by how unprofessional candidates are in their personal presentation. Even if you're looking for a job that doesn't require business attire, a man should wear a suit, and a woman a blouse with either a skirt or slacks. Also, when you meet a recruiter, offer a firm handshake, and always look him or her in the eye.

"That tells me this is a person who is confident and has a personality," says Fiorentino.

While at the job fair, visit as many employers as possible. Start with the ones you're least interested in. That will enable you to practice your pitch, which will boost your confidence for the ones you most want to impress.

After meeting with a recruiter, ask what the next step is and when it will occur. Take their business card, and be sure to follow up with a thank-you e-mail or handwritten letter.

That step is very important, says Tim Strike: "It sets you apart as someone who is confident and serious and eager to become part of a company."