Main Site Navigation

My=20 Monster=20
- My = Account
- My = Resumes=20
- My = Cover=20 Letters
- My=20 Applications
- Quick=20 Apply
Find=20 Jobs=20
Post My=20 Resume=20
- Build = My=20 Resume Online
- Copy=20 & Paste My Resume
- Uploa= d My=20 Word Resume
- Resume=20 Privacy Plus
Career=20 Centre=20
Own a Franchise=20
- Franchise=20 Home
- News =
- Events
- Articles=20
Employer=20 Site
- Post a=20 Job
- Search=20 Resumes
- Employer Login=20

In this Section

Home
Career=20 Centre Home
Articles
Email=20 this page
Feedback=20

Career Centre

Upcoming Job Fairs Across the Country

by Melanie Joy Douglas, Monster.ca

3D""=20 If you're looking for a job or career change, career fairs = can be an=20 ideal place to meet potential employers.

Ade Olumide, Manager of = Client=20 Relations at NAS=20 Institute, explains that job fairs are important to a job seeker=92s = overall=20 job search strategy because while companies are also likely to advertise = vacancies on a job board, there=92s simply no substitute for a = face-to-face=20 discussion.

=93Companies that come to job fairs usually have = more than one=20 position, so they are often large companies with good benefits,=94 he = says.=20 =93Sometimes they are under pressure to recruit 50 people in one month = and they=20 would rather not spend time trying to assess a resume, but prefer to see = the=20 candidate and ask poignant questions=85 Remember, recruiters are = spending their=20 time to come out because they want the best people for the job.=94 =

Workers=20 from all professions can benefit from attending a job fair, with the = exception=20 of executive positions, which are normally handled through head-hunters. = According to Olumide, the most popular industries for job fairs include=20 administration, customer service, finance, IT, engineering, sciences, = HR,=20 healthcare, and skilled trades.

Here are Olumide=92s best tips = for job=20 fair success:

Always have a smile and never be discouraged. = Very often=20 only 10% of attendees get a job directly through the fair; you can be = that 1=20 out of 10, so keep a positive attitude.
Ask the right questions. For example:
- If I apply through your website what are the recruiters looking = for?=20
- If a short list is prepared by a computer program, what are the = key word=20 searches for this position?=20
- What will your needs be over the next year?=20
- Are most of your recruits from a specific college or university? =
- What do I need to get hired? (Show them your resume)=20
- Could we meet up for 20 minutes? I would like to know more about = the=20 opportunities for growth in your organization
Check out employer websites in advance so that = you may=20 speak with recruiters about specific job opportunities.
Dress as you would for a interview. Most of the=20 recruitment staff who come to fairs are hiring managers, human = resources=20 executives, and professionals from recruiting departments. First = impressions=20 matter. If two people have similar resumes, recruiters are like to = choose the=20 person who was dressed better or who had a better smile.
Come prepared with plenty of resumes. You also = may wish=20 to prepare more than one version that is industry or job specific; try = to make=20 your resume scannable as well.
Be prepared to initiate conversation with = recruiters.=20 Prepare a few lines of introduction that summarizes who you are, your=20 education, experience and type of opportunities you are seeking. =
Be prepared to for an on-site interview. Ensure = that you=20 intelligently articulate well thought out responses.
Understand that some recruiters may direct you to an = on-line=20 application process. Do not be discouraged as many recruiters = have to=20 comply with their company=92s recruitment regulations. Use the = opportunity to=20 research ways to make your application more competitive. Find out how = resumes=20 are reviewed and what specific skills/experience they seek; also = remember=20 recruiters may be taking notes on candidates of interest.
Visit all booths. They may be recruiting for = positions=20 that you may not anticipate i.e. a financial institution may be = recruiting for=20 administrative jobs.
Use discretion when collecting freebies. When = speaking=20 with recruiters, do not grab the goodies on the table. It generally = leaves a=20 bad impression and indicates you might not be respectful of others. = You are=20 expected to take 1 pen, not 20 pens. Stay focused on networking - not = stocking=20 up on office supplies.
Remember to use your interpersonal skills. Make = eye=20 contact, offer a firm handshake, and show enthusiasm.
Check out professional associations or employment=20 agencies which are excellent sources of current industry = information=20 and for networking.
Do not apply for a job that you are not qualified = for: if=20 it says 5 years management experience and you have never had = management=20 experience with people reporting to you, don=92t apply. It only makes = the=20 recruiter upset that you are speaking to them for a job that they = cannot hire=20 you for. Remember that recruiters are also judged based on their = abilities to=20 match the right person to the right job and they can get fired for = presenting=20 a resume that is unqualified for the position.
Be sure to follow-up. If a recruiter ask to you = apply=20 on-line or contact a specific individual make sure you do it. =

Upcoming Job Fairs (from west to east):=20

BRITISH COLUMBIA =

Abbotsford=20
December 4, 2007
Fraser Valley Education & Career Fair
1190 = Cornell=20 Avenue
9am-3pm

Victoria
November 2,=20 2007
Victoria Job & Education Fair
Victoria = Conference=20 Centre
12-7pm

December 6, 2007 =
Vancouver Island Education & Career Fair =
Victoria=20 Conference Centre
720 Douglas Street=20
9am-4pm

Vancouver
September 24, 2007=20
Vancouver Diversity Job & Education Fair =
Vancouver=20 Convention & Exhibition Centre
12-7pm =

ALBERTA=20

Calgary
August 22, = 2007=20
A Career = Event for=20 Immigrants
Red and White Club at McMahon Stadium
8:30am-3pm=20
On-line registration is required

October 12, 2007 =
Calgary Job & Education Fair
Calgary = Stampede=20
12-7pm

October 12, 2007 =
Trucking, Construction and Skilled Trades Job & = Education=20 Fair
Calgary TELUS Convention Centre
12-7pm=20

Edmonton
October 22, = 2007=20
Edmonton Job & Education Fair
Shaw Conference Centre =
12-7pm=20

November 16 & 17
Canada Career Week Fair
Northlands Sportex=20

Red Deer
October 13, = 2007=20
Red Deer Job and Education Fair
Westerner Park
10am-3pm=20

Grand Prairie
October 15, 2007=20
Grand Prairie Job & Education Fair
Grand = Praire Inn=20
10am-3pm

Medicine Hat =
October 16,=20 2007
Medicine Hat Job & Education Fair =
Medicine Hat=20 Lodge Hotel
10:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Fort McMurray =
October 18, 2007
Fort McMurray Job = &=20 Education Fair
Quality Hotel & Conference Centre
10am-3pm=20

Lethbridge
October 19,=20 2007
Lethbridge Job & Education Fair =
Lethbridge Hotel=20 & Conference Centre
10am-3pm =

SASKATCHEWAN=20

Saskatoon
November 6,=20 2007
Saskatoon Job & Education Fair
TCU Place=20 Saskatoon Art & Convention Centre 12-7pm =

Regina=20
November 7, 2007
Regina Job & = Education=20 Fair
Ramada Convention Centre
12-7pm

MANITOBA=20

Winnipeg
October 4, = 2007=20
ASE Career Fair 2007
3-7pm =

October 9,=20 2007
Winnipeg Job & Education Fair
Winnipeg = Convention=20 Centre
12-7pm

ONTARIO =

Toronto=20
September 27th, 2007
NAPP=20 Canada Job Fair
Centennial College, Progress Campus
941 = Progress Ave=20
10am-3:30pm

October 10, 2007 =
Toronto=20 Job Fairs - various
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
12-7pm=20

For:
New Canadians, Aboriginals, Visible Minorities Job = &=20 Education Fair; Information Technology; Engineering; Biotechnology; = Healthcare=20 and Sciences Industries; Trucking; Construction and Skilled Trades Job = &=20 Education Fair; Relocation Job & Education Fair: Alberta & Other = Locations; Multicultural Employment & Marketing Conference=20

Windsor
October 3,=20 2007
NAPP=20 Canada Job Fair
University of Windsor, CAW Student Centre=20
10am-3:30pm

Oakville
October 25 & 26,=20 2007
NAPP=20 Canada Job Fair
Holiday Inn Oakville - Centre (across from = Oakville=20 Place)
10am-3:30pm

Ottawa =
September=20 18, 2007
Ottawa Job Fairs - various
Ottawa = Congress Centre=20
10:00 - 3:00 p.m.

For:
New Canadians; Aboriginals; = Visible=20 Minorities Job & Education Fair; Education & Training Fair: For = High=20 School, University Students and New Career Seekers; Trucking, = Construction and=20 Skilled Trades Job & Education Fair; Information Technology; = Engineering;=20 Biotechnology; Healthcare and Sciences Industries=20

Mississauga
November 14,=20 2007
Mississauga Job & Education Fair =
Mississauga=20 Convention Centre
12-7pm

London=20
October 24, 2007
London Job & = Education=20 Fair
London Convention Centre
12-7pm

Thunder=20 Bay
November 1, 2007
Thunder = Bay Job=20 & Education Fair
Best Western Norwester Resort Hotel
12-7pm=20

Greater Sudbury
November 9,=20 2007
Greater Sudbury Job & Education Fair =
Radisson=20 Hotel Sudbury
12-7pm

QUEBEC=20

Montreal
September 6,=20 2007
New Canadians, Aboriginals, Visible Minorities = Job &=20 Education Fair (including Trucking, Construction, Skilled Trades Job = &=20 Education Fair)
Place Bonaventure
12-7pm=20

Gatineau
October 29, = 2007=20
Gatineau Job & Education Fair
Palais des Congr=E8s de = Gatineau=20
12-7pm

NEWFOUNDLAND

St.=20 John's
October 26, 2007
St. = John's=20 Job & Education Fair
Delta St. John's Hotel and Convention = Centre=20
12-7pm

NOVA SCOTIA =

Halifax=20
October 31, 2007
Halifax Job & = Education=20 Fair
Pier 21 Canada Immigration Museum
12-7pm =

Read=20 more about job fairs!

Resume Tips for Job = Fair=20 Success

Job=20 Fairs Aren't For the Faint of Heart

Printable = version=20

Communities

Resources

Career Change Centre=20
Great Bosses=20
Interview Centre=20
Monster Success Coach=20
Resume Centre=20
Salary Centre=20
Self-Assessment Centre

My Monster

Monster Services