You attended the job fair, handed out resumes, and talked with employers. Now you can go home and wait for someone to call, right?
Not quite.
What you do after a job fair can be just as important as what you do while you’re there. Following up shows employers that you’re interested, organized, and willing to take the next step.
With the Tulare County Job Fair on September 30 at the Visalia Convention Center, now is a good time to make a plan for what you’ll do after you leave.
You may talk with several employers during the job fair. By the next day, it can be hard to remember who said what.
When an employer gives you a business card, keep it. If they don’t have one, write down the name of the person you spoke with.
Make a few quick notes about each conversation:
You can keep this information in a notebook, on your phone, or in a simple folder.
Tip: Take five minutes before you leave the job fair to organize your notes while the conversations are still fresh.
Giving an employer your resume at a job fair doesn’t always mean you’ve officially applied.
An employer may ask you to complete an application on its website or give you other instructions for applying. Follow those directions as soon as you can.
If an employer says, “Apply online,” write that down. When you get home, make that application a priority.
Before submitting it, double-check your phone number and email address. You want to make sure the employer can reach you.
If you received an employer’s email address or were invited to follow up, send a short message within a day or two.
You don’t need to write a long email. Remind the person where you met, mention the position you discussed, and thank them for their time.
For example:
“It was great speaking with you at the Tulare County Job Fair yesterday. I enjoyed learning more about your warehouse technician opportunities. I submitted my application this morning and appreciate the opportunity to connect with your team.”
That’s enough. Keep it friendly, professional, and specific.
If the employer or recruiter you met is active on LinkedIn, you may also consider sending a connection request.
Personalize the request so they know who you are.
For example:
“It was nice meeting you at the Tulare County Job Fair. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about your company and available opportunities.”
Remember, LinkedIn is a professional space. Make sure your profile is up to date before you start connecting with employers.
After you apply and follow up, keep a simple record of your job search.
Write down the employer, position, date you applied, and any follow-up you completed. This can save you from wondering, “Did I already apply for that job?”
It also helps if an employer calls unexpectedly. You can quickly look at your notes and remember the position and conversation.
Employment Connection encourages customers to develop a plan and keep track of goals, next steps, and accomplishments during their employment journey.
Following up doesn’t guarantee an interview, and you may not hear back from every employer you meet.
That doesn’t mean your job fair was wasted.
You practiced speaking with employers. You learned about different companies and jobs. You made new contacts. You may have also discovered positions or career paths you hadn’t considered before.
Keep applying and keep building on those connections.
After the Tulare County Job Fair, bring your notes, employer information, or applications to an Employment Connection center if you need help figuring out what to do next.
Our Career Coaches can assist with job-search planning, applications, resumes, and interview preparation. Employment Connection also offers resource rooms with computers, internet access, and other tools customers can use during their job search.
The job fair may only last a few hours, but the opportunities you find there can continue afterward.
Organize. Apply. Follow up. Keep going.
One conversation at the job fair could be the beginning of your next opportunity.