Resume Writing for Job Fairs

What does resume writing have to do with black cars? What if the only car available for everyone was exactly identical? A two door stripped down basic economy size car that only came in one color; black. A quick check of history shows that was already done. Henry Ford’s Model As and Model Ts presented few choices.

Nowadays just taking a twenty minute test drive of every car, make and model available would take a person driving eight hours a day more than a year to complete! Manufacturers make dozens and sometimes hundreds of options available. Consumers want choices, they want a custom car that meets their specific needs. Employers are no different about finding employees. They want the person who will fit their needs.

Distributing a one size fits all resume at a job fair is not much different than offering consumers one generic black Model T. You hand out dozens or even hundreds of identical or similar resumes hoping that you just happen to find an employer looking for the options or skills you expressed on your resume.

So how can you customize your resume for a job fair with dozens or perhaps several hundred companies? Unless you have months to prepare for each job fair you cannot. What can you do?

- Create a straight forward resume listing your knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Show how each knowledge, skill, or ability you possess has in some way benefited a previous employer or organization
- Make sure your resume is easy to read, your phone number has a professional answering message, and your email is professional, preferably: yourname-at-wherever.

At the job fair, find out anything you can about job openings now and in the near future and take notes. Collect the contact information of every employer you speak with. Get a card and name of each person. Find out anything you can about job openings they have or expect to have that are relevant to you. (Always ask if they expect to need someone with your background in the near future) Leave them a copy of your resume.

Now go home and hand write thank you notes immediately to everyone you spoke with. Get them in the mail within 24 hours. Then with the information you gathered about each possible position start the resume writing. Create a resume for each "hot prospect."

Customize your resume for each position and employer. Use power words in accomplishment statements to express your skills. Every skill the employer is looking for should be stated on your resume. Every statement should demonstrate a quantifiable accomplishment. Do this by using numbers and percentages and be as exact as possible. If you saved the company money, list the amount. If you set a sales record state how many you sold.

Send a cover letter with your resume.
Example:

Your presence at the Chicago Job Fair was appreciated. Again, I enjoyed meeting you. In further consideration of your IT position please find the enclosed resume focused on your needs.

Your company intrigues me and I would like to meet with you to learn more about how I might help you.

Sincerely,

J. Hunter

(Notice how the letter focuses on the reader). Each paragraph begins with a pronoun that addresses the reader with: "your." Most cover letters overuse the word "I."

Follow up weekly with every company by sending an email or personal note. Have a reason each time you follow up such as an updated resume or an additional skill you have that could help them.

Does all this sound like allot of work? It is. But do you want to be an outdated out of work rusting Model T, or a new sports car speeding down the paycheck highway?