5 Questions to Ask at Career Fairs

Career fairs can be one of your best tactics for finding the right job. At an in-person career fair where there are many employers in the same place, you can talk to several about their organizations and potential openings. Recruiters are there to find potential employees and will answer questions you may have about their organization or the potential job opportunities. They are often the first step in the hiring process before you meet with a hiring manager.

Today, we’re sharing some tips to help you have productive conversations at a career fair. Think about what to wear. Business or business casual attire is most common. Depending on your career choice, prepare a portfolio that has examples of your work and bring multiple copies of your resume.

We know not everyone is comfortable in crowded situations or engaging with strangers. That’s why it’s most helpful if you research what organizations will be at the fair and what jobs they may have already posted. With that information, you can decide which organizations you want to talk to and how to have a conversation with them. We’ve prepared a few questions you can ask to get you started.

1. What are the Duties and Expectations of this Position?

Use your research to prepare unique questions for each employer. Asking questions specific to the job description is key to a good first impression. You’ll want to know as much as possible about the work itself. You’ll also want to know if you’ll be part of a team or an individual contributor. Asking about expectations, how you’ll be evaluated and what opportunities for advancement are will help you decide if the position will be right for you.

2. What are the Opportunities for Growth?

Many organizations invest in the professional growth of their employees. Because progress in your career results from increasing your value to an organization, opportunities for additional training and education like specific training for the job, coursework towards a certificate or classes about new technology, can advance your career and open new job opportunities.

3. What has Your Experience Been in the Organization?

Don’t forget to ask the career fair representative about their experience. What do they like about the organization? Ask about their work history: how did they get started? How long have they been with the organization? At a career fair, you can hear from someone who may not be the hiring manager for your future position, but who may be able to give you a sense of the atmosphere and environment so you can assess whether it sounds like a good fit for you.

4. What is the Organization’s Outlook for the Future?

Asking about future plans can help you see how you could fit into their long-term strategy. Can you foresee opportunities down the road with this organization? Can you get a sense of their culture and values from their goals and plans? Some examples might have to do with expanding their markets internationally or improving their environmental sustainability. Perhaps they want to develop new products or services. These types of insights can contribute to your own decision making.

5. What Does the Hiring Process Include?

The hiring process is different at every organization and learning about each one’s process can help you get an idea for the steps involved and likely timeline. Some organizations conduct multiple rounds of interviews with several individuals. Others may only require you to meet with one or two people. Some require background checks or that you complete certain tests. Because you’ll want to know what to expect and what the timeline may be, this is an important question to ask.

Be sure to get the representative’s contact information if you’re interested in a position. After talking to a lot of people at a career fair, it may be hard to remember who you want to thank and follow up with.

Need Help Getting Ready?

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program can help! The Ticket Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. Through this free and voluntary program, eligible participants can work with service providers to receive the services and supports they need to find and maintain employment as they move toward financial independence through work.

Every month, we share upcoming nationwide career fair opportunities, both in person and virtual. Be sure to subscribe to our blog for updates.

Through the Ticket Program, you’ll have access to service providers, including Employment Networks (EN), that can help you find and prepare for career fairs and interviews. ENs can help you polish your resume, practice mock interviews with you, give you tips on how to dress and what to bring to a career fair. ENs can help you after the career fair too. They can help you with writing a cover letter, applying for jobs, interview prep, and asking for reasonable accommodations during the interview process.

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket to Work Program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842. For callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, call 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; or visit choosework.ssa.gov.