How to Organize a Successful Job Fair

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1 Planning the Fair

2 During the Fair

3 After the Fair

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Co-authored by Cynthia Orduna

Last Updated: August 1, 2025 Approved

A job fair is a unique networking opportunity that puts many different employers under one roof to network with potential employees, usually over the course of just one day. Job fairs can put participants on the fast-track to gaining a job, help companies fill vacancies and solve workforce issues in the community. In order to organize a successful job fair, you'll want to cater to both the job seeker and the company looking for future employees.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Planning the Fair

1. 
   1
   Form a committee or group of individuals who will be in charge of plans for the job fair in clearly defined roles.

   • Depending on the size of your job fair, it may be important to have one or more people focused on the following areas: marketing, logistics, volunteer/staff for the event, employer contact, signs and graphics, secretarial and administrative duties. It may be helpful to have one or two people overall job fair coordinators.
2. 
   2
   Set a date and time for your job fair at least 4 months ahead of time. Detail a budget that includes money for the venue and advertising.
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3. 
   3
   Find a place to have your job fair and reserve the space. Make a detailed diagram layout of the space and block out areas for company booths, registration tables, concessions and so forth.
4. 
   4
   Invite companies to participate in the job fair. Aim for a mix of companies from a variety of industries that have jobs openings available, so you can cater to a broad segment of job seekers. As you get confirmations, ask if a company has any special equipment needs for the day.
5. 
   5
   Distribute marketing materials. Place fliers and information at nearby colleges and high schools, and throughout community gathering places like coffee shops, libraries and grocery stores. Consider placing ads in local and regional newspapers, as well as trade journals. Set up media coverage the day of the event, as well.
6. 
   6
   Design a professional job fair packet that each job seeker will receive upon entering the fair. The information should include a map and list of companies represented at the fair.
7. 
   7
   Set up booths at the venue. Consider having an interview room or place away from the other booths that employers can use for on-the-spot interviews.
8. 
   8
   Consider placing company vacancy listings at the entrance and at key areas throughout the job fair venue, along with a map of where the company's booth is located.
9. 
   9
   Prepare name tags and signs for the event.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

During the Fair

1. 
   1
   Place volunteers at strategic points throughout the fair to take questions. You should definitely have people stand by at entrances and exits. Periodically, ask employer representatives if they need anything if they're having trouble getting away from their booths.
2. 
   2
   Take video and pictures at the event that you can use in promotional materials next year.
3. 
   3
   Survey exiting job seekers to gain valuable feedback.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

After the Fair

1. 
   1
   Evaluate attendance and analyze the completed job seeker surveys.
2. 
   2
   Send thank-you notes to employers about 1 week after the event and include a survey to gain their feedback.
3. 
   3
   Share the success with stories on your website and community media outlets.
4. 
   4
   Gather with your job fair team one last time to discuss what went well at the job fair and what can be improved next time.
5. 
   5
   Write down ideas and new procedures and file a final report so you have that information on hand when you go to plan your next job fair.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  What should I prepare when attending a job fair and how can I successfully land a job?

  

  Cynthia Orduna
  Career and Business Coach

  Cynthia Orduna is a Career and Business Coach based in Los Angeles, CA. She also has career experience in recruitment, human resources, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Over the past 6 years, Cynthia has coached over 300 people at all career levels and helped 50+ companies worldwide in cities like LA, SF, NY, Berlin, Tokyo, Sydney, London, and others to hire and retain top talent. Cynthia’s mission is to empower people to own their unique story and believe there are no boundaries on what they can achieve or who they can become. Her work has been featured in publications like Business Insider, Lattice, The Zoe Report, and The Balance Careers. Cynthia graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a BA in Studio Arts, with an emphasis in multimedia.

  

  Cynthia Orduna

  Career and Business Coach

  Expert Answer

  First, prepare and bring multiple copies of your resume—this way, you can leave one with each employer you want to connect with. To make the most of your time, look up the list of companies attending the fair and decide ahead of time which ones you’re most interested in. Many fairs provide some kind of a map of the venue, so use it to plan your route and avoid wasting time wandering from booth to booth. Next, check the job openings at each of your target companies before the event, ideally the night before. Knowing the roles that align with your experience lets you speak confidently to recruiters about specific positions. When you approach a recruiter, start with a quick elevator pitch that introduces who you are, what you bring to the table, and which roles you’re pursuing. This direct approach helps them see exactly how they can assist you. You should avoid asking the recruiter, “Based on my resume, what do you think I’d be a good fit for?”It’s your job to clarify your goals, not theirs. Instead, be clear and specific so that they understand where you see yourself within their organization and can provide more targeted guidance.

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• Question

  What attractive and efficient activities can we include when we organize a career fair?

  

  Community Answer

  If I went to a career fair, I would like a hands-on, fun experience of what I would be doing for the next couple of years. You could also do something like a raffle or guessing game to get people engaged in your fair.

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• Question

  What is the best day of the week to hold a job fair?

  

  Community Answer

  The best day to hold job fair should be on weekend, as that is when many workers in white collar employment would have some time free. It is good on Saturday as then most people will have week off so the amount of foot fall will increase.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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