Job seekers need to be prepared well BEFORE attending a job fair. What employers are expected to be attending? Which of those offer positions with the best match for your skills and experience? Thoroughly research any employer with the best job matches so that when you talk to the employer's representative, you will be well-versed in the company and can easily converse about how well you fit into their operations.

Is your resume ready for prospective employers to see quickly how you stand out from other job seekers? Take your polished one or two-page resume and rework it into several versions to fit into positions for different employers. Be specific in your objective and achievements so that each employer can easily spot how well you fit into their needs.

Carry a binder, folder, or case to keep your resume copies in excellent shape. Also, carry business cards with your contact information on them. Many jobseekers even highlight special skills on their cards to draw attention to their unique abilities. Also, have a pen, pencil, and blank paper handy to take notes or jot down names and contact information of key people you meet at the job fair.

While at the job fair, you may have to stand in line to meet some of the employers. Use this time to network with other job seekers. Although they may be competing with you for some positions, they also may have valuable contacts in your field that can extend your network or you can help them with information about previous employers (don't be negative!).

Job fairs present excellent opportunities to meet key people from a variety of companies and organizations. Be prepared, don't be shy or intimidated, and network, network, network.