Due to my confusion with the word “entry-level,” I have decided to temporarily suspend my efforts to find a job via online and print classifieds. Instead, I am heading over to a job fair to beg, I mean, look for the start to my career.

But there are some key differences between finding a job online or in print and going to a job fair. You can’t go to a job fair in pajama pants and the obscenities that you may yell after finding your dream job but lacking the requirements to apply may not fly in front of a professional recruiter.

But at the core of both, your mindset should be similar in that you should leave no stone unturned. The first thing my advisor said to me was to go to every booth at the fair She told me that any experience with anyone guarding the doors of employment would be extremely helpful. Any experience with anyone that is actively recruiting, even if it is for a company you don’t want to work for, will help you when you find the companies you do want. That certainly made sense. She said treat the recruiter like you are on a date. I’m sure that meant the dates you see on television shows because if she was talking about dates in the college context, I’m not sure drunkenly calling him and her around 1 AM after striking out with every other recruiter would really get my foot in the door. Luckily she clarified. The advice she gave was sound and thus, I pass it on to you.

Dress to impress. They can’t hear you or see your wonderful resume in the first few seconds of you walking up to them. So the first thing they are going to register about you is the way you look. Most of these fairs will be business casual, but guys should wear a suit. It’s professional and more importantly, everyone looks better in one. No need to go out and buy one that will cost as much as your first five paychecks, but you should look like you could start working for them as soon as you hand them your resume. Ladies should wear something that looks equally professional and modest.

Smile. A lot. From the get-go, you should be courteous. You should shake their hand and give them every bit of respect you can muster. But sometimes, in feeling like you have to be super polite, your natural personality may fail to show through. It helps to remember to smile and show that talking about an opportunity with this company is something that makes you happy. It also provides the recruiter with immediate feedback that their spiel is not lost on you. The more you smile, the less stuffy your discussion with the recruiter will be.

Listen, but ask questions.  Show that you care about what they are saying. So don’t interrupt them with your two day b-to-b marketing stint, when they throw out facts about their marketing program. In the beginning, make it about them and show them you care about what they have to say. Then, stay engaged and be able to have one or two solid questions that can open up to more follow up and discussion. One or two thoughtful questions will really resonate with the recruiter.

Focus on the Company. In a date, even if you are in it just to see her naked, you don’t ever ask her for her measurements. That just ends the date all kinds of poorly. In the same vein, you don’t just hammer on about the assistant account executive position even if that is all you want. Listen and take interest in the whole company. More than just filling a position, they want their employees to really get invested in the whole company and really be a team player.

Don’t go running for second base when you haven’t reached first. Beyond inquiring about additional recruitment dates, don’t go asking intensive questions about when they are holding interviews and how soon you will know that you are being given one. It’s like planning a second date, before the waiter takes your order on the first date. It’s like looking for a kiss when all she wants is a hug, like taking your underwear before you take your pants off. Awkward, uncomfortable, and a bit dangereous. If the recruiter is interested, they will call you, e-mail you, even send you smoke signals if they want you.

Enjoy yourself. The more fun you want to have, the more fun you actually will have. If you keep your demeanor light-hearted and accessible, you will be able to sell yourself as a professional without trying to hard. Looking the part is half the battle. The more comfortable you are, the more comfortable the recruiters will be with you.  Taking into account all this information, I found myself at the career fair and did what she said. I met with just about everyone. I used the companies I didn’t care about to work on my own presentation and try to create engaging questions. It really did help when I went to the booths I was really interested in. And when I got the chance to go mano-a-mano with the recruiter, it went as well as it could have. I gave him my contact information. Now I’m just waiting for him to call. I hope he likes me…

What did you think of this post?

To start your own Chicago neighborhood or topical blog on The Windy Citizen, write to us at windycitizen@gmail.com.