Blog Post: Go to the Job Fair & Apply Online – Double Your Chances of Success!

Sometimes you go to a job fair and an employer will ask you to follow up with an online resume submission.  Other times, you’ll apply online and a recruiter will ask you to meet them at their job fair.  Which is it – why do you need to do both? 

When an employer makes the difficult decision to invest in a new employee, many of them will really want to get to know that employee – you – as well as possible before making that final decision.  So go ahead, show them you can follow up with that job fair encounter by applying online (tip - grab their business card and send them a cover letter reminding them that you met them at the job fair).  If an online application leads to an invitation to meet with an employer at a job fair, do it!  This is your chance at that important first interview. 

Another important note about resumes and job fairs:  Sometimes employers want to get out and meet people face-to-face and also require (for applicant tracking purposes, ease of managing paperwork, etc.) an online record of your application.  At job fairs, employers may decline your paper resume and ask you to submit your resume online.  Don’t be discouraged.  Accommodate the employer’s request by following their application guidelines.  Your efforts on both fronts (attendance at the fair and applying online) are deeply appreciated by the employer. 

It may seem like a lot of effort and courage to approach an employer more than once to get a job – but like any relationship, the one between you and your future employer deserves your best effort.  Give it your all – and as always, let us know about your successes!