Job fairs or career fairs can help your job search tremendously or waste your time tremendously. There really is no other venue that allows you to meet with so many companies, with so many live human beings - that said - the reverse is also true.

Look at it from the recruiters' point of view; they see hundreds, perhaps more, over the course of a day or two. That's can be staggering, even to the most experienced recruiters.

But you have to cut through all the noise and confusion of a job fair. Some time ago, at a job fair in a nearby convention center; 135 companies met up with close to 5000 job seekers - wow.

So, here's how to make the most of your time at a job fair and stand out from the competition.

Pre-register. Always take advantage of pre-registration whether by mail or online. Oftentimes, pre-registration also includes sending in a resume, which the job fair will pre-distribute to all the participating companies. In any event, it will save time when you arrive.

Research. Take time to examine which companies will be there and make a list. You should determine beforehand which companies you want to approach. And make sure that you keep this list manageable. By manageable, I mean keeping your list to about 10 or so. With that list, again, take time to look at their websites, their mission statements, their list of accomplishments, etc. You want to know enough to discuss both the position and company intelligently.

Gameplan. Every good NFL team will script out what plays they will run first. You must script out which companies to see first and what your opening statements will be. You must have a good, engaging elevator statement. And be flexible when you get there. The recruiters are going to get a stack of resumes. You want your resume to be either toward the bottom or the top. If you arrive at a booth and there a ton of people there, then it might behoove you to come back later. Do not get lost in the middle.

Business dress. You must wear a clean, respectable and conservative business suit.

Arrive early. This is easy. That stated, in some cases, you may want to meet some toward the end of the day. Yes, many recruiters may be burnt out by then but it may also give you an opportunity to make a good, last impression of the last one. Again, as stated before, you want to avoid being in the great middle.

Act professionally. You are on stage all day. The gentleman in the next urinal could be the recruiter you see next. And do not discount the networking opportunity this represents. You must be positive and optimistic all day long, with no negative comments about how many people are there or how long the lines are.

Follow up. This is where it all counts. I guarantee most of the job fair participants will just drop off their resumes and wait. They will not research nor will they have a gameplan. And they definitely will not follow up. You must be different. At the very least, immediately send a brief thank you to everyone you meet.

Good Luck

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