A job fair is not a waste of time. You are on a mission. A job fair must be worked properly. Here's how.

Rule Number One: Your job is not to interview with the nearest and newest HR staff person who got stuck with this assignment for the day.

Rule Number Two: Your job is to get the name of their boss, boss's boss or the name of the hiring authority in the department where you want to work. Job offers are rarely made at this location; information is the key. Job fairs provide an excellent forum for candidates and companies to meet and size up each other. You can gain an understanding about the structure of the companies and how to contact the real decision-makers. Grab a business card from each company that interests you. What an opportunity for contact information!

Here are some effective job fair strategies:

PRE-REGISTER

Often employers attempt to pre-screen applicants. If your name is in front of the career fair company representative before the event, you have a better chance to speak with the right person.

WRITE down your goals before you attend

Set a high level of activity to get the most out of your attendance. Focus on specific outcomes.

GOALS

- Meet four new target companies with openings in my field.

- Find out salary ranges for people with my skill sets.

- Practice face-to-face interviewing skills with six new companies.

- Have a system for working the floor, both inside and outside the main event site. (Don't just wander around from booth to booth!)

STUDY your resources before you go

- Analyze the list of attending companies.

- Identify which companies you want to check out.

- Research the companies by visiting websites, reading newsletters, obtaining a copy of each company's job listings.

- Develop a list matching your skills with the companies that interest you.

- Call the people whose names you found in your research; suggest meeting with them or a contact whom they recommend.

PREPARE your personal presentation before you go

- Be able to articulate why you are interested in a particular company. (You WILL be asked this question.)

- Practice a 30-45 second career summary. (This is the famous question, "Tell me about yourself!" Write it down, commit it to memory and practice it out loud in front of an audience-someone who is working with you as a job search partner.)

- Customize this 'speech' by focusing on the company, the product and the link to your specific skills.

EQUIP yourself with supplies.

- Prepare a 4-item tool kit consisting of business cards, resumes, notebook and manila folder. (Put your business cards in a jacket pocket.)

- In the notebook write down every important conversation and contact you make.

- Attach a manila envelope to the notebook where you will place all the business cards that you collect.

- Leave a resume with every company that matches most of your skills.

PREPARE for your FIRST IMPRESSION

- Dress for success, conservative and professional; not for attracting attention.

- Have someone evaluate how you look before you leave for the job fair.

- Interact with everyone with an upbeat, positive attitude.

- Create a "hook" so that people will have an easy time remembering you in a favorable way.

- Participate in all of the social events, even if tired. Talk to people there!

PREPARE for your NEXT IMPRESSION

- Send THANK YOU notes to everyone you meet.

- Follow up with legitimate sources several weeks after the event.