Job fairs can be overwhelming. You have to compete with many people not only to talk to a recruiter, but to somehow make your first impression stand out from everyone else’s. Meanwhile recruiters are trying to sell their concept to the right job applicants during these crowded events.  

        “They’re overwhelming for employers too,” says Mary Battin, director of training and human resources for Chicago-based Stir Crazy Restaurants. “I am in the same boat. I want to sell my company to everyone and say, ‘Here’s why you want to work for me.’”

        The fairs provide a good screening process, she says. Many résumés look very similar. It helps your case if you can hand a recruiter your résumé and have a quick conversation. The key is to figure out with whom to chat and quickly convince the person to call you in for a full interview.

        Battin says you often can find a list of restaurants that will have booths at the job fair. You don’t have to stop at every restaurant booth at the event, but try to decide ahead of time which ones you want to visit.

“If you do end up wanting to go to a booth, do some research first,” she says. “Companies are impressed when applicants say, ‘Hey, I heard you will open five new stores this year.’” (Stir Crazy, whose concept is fresh Asian food, has 12 units open, and actually does plan to open five more this year.)

        There’s plenty of information on restaurants’ websites. Also if you eat at the restaurant, tell the employer you are familiar with the menu and the place. They don’t want to spend a lot of time describing their concept as more applicants line up behind you.

Plan to spend 15 minutes in this initial meeting.

“The mistake I see people making is they drop a résumé off and leave,” she says. “You have to shake the person’s hand and say something memorable.”

        Her other advice is to dress well for the meeting. Although it’s an informal interview, it’s not OK to show up wearing a baseball cap or flip-flops. Even if you are talking to a recruiter from a restaurant that boasts a casual environment, look presentable. Make you résumé presentable too, on good paper and mistake-free.

        If you are out of work, it’s OK to be eager, but not desperate.

“It’s a confidence thing,” she says. “You can say, ‘I may really need a job, but I still want to work for a place I feel good about, so I want to work for you and here’s why.’”

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