I am sure you’ve seen advertisements for a job fair coming to a conference room near you and wondered if attending can make a difference in your job search. That depends on several factors, but most importantly the type of event, whether it's a job fair, career expo, hiring event or hiring fair. But aren’t these events all the same?

Short answer, no. The differences between these events can mean creating valuable connections that lead to a job or wasting a day collecting pens and mints.

The terms job fair, career expo, and hiring events often mistaken for interchangeable terms when are in actuality not the same at all.  


Job Fairs

Job fairs, also referred to as career fairs or career expos, events for employers, recruiters, and colleges, where information is provided to potential employees. These events don’t always equal jobs, but they allow job seekers to learn about the companies, schools or work-related vendors in attendance.
Job fairs are opportunities to gather knowledge and network while deciding if an employer is a good fit for your career path.

- Does the company offer flexibility?
- Is there room for advancement?
- Are there opportunities for professional growth?

These are just a few questions you should consider before accepting a job offer, and a job fair is an excellent place to get answers.


Hiring Fairs

A hiring fair or hiring event is usually sponsored by an organization (ACS, Workforce, City) or industry-specific employers (IT, Education, Healthcare). Some participants will have open positions they hope to fill and often will hold on-site interviews. Prior to the event, a list of employers will be provided, and in some cases, a list of open positions. Attending a hiring event or hiring fair provides a better chance of landing a job.

Virtual Job Fairs

Virtual job fairs take place on online forums such as chat rooms, webinars, or telecommunication environments. Job seekers register and upload their resumes for placement with specific employers or browse links of participating employers. 

​As with anything online be aware of scams. If they request payment or personal information trust your gut and just say no!

How to Get the Most Out of These Events

A list of employers will be provided in advance, so research them before the event and decide on those you plan to pursue. Treat these events like an interview and be prepared. Review the company’s website and open positions.

Hiring events will be packed with employers and eager job seekers so you won’t be able to speak with every employer.

- Choose your top five and target your resume for each company (if possible, towards specific positions) and create individual cover letters (it’s a lot of work, but job searching is a job!)
- Plan your day
- Locate your top five booths
- Practice your elevator speech. 


Prepare for the Event

You only get one chance to make a first impression so make it count! Wear a professional interview outfit, a neutral suit, or dress pants and a blazer. Ladies, it is tempting to wear heels but keep in mind you’ll be on your feet all day; sensible shoes will be your best friend. Use a portfolio or small briefcase to hold resumes, cover letters, business cards (if you have them), a couple of pens, car keys and silenced cell phone. Leave everything else at home or in the car.  

Research before you go 
I can’t stress this enough.

- Express your interest by preparing, gathering information and asking engaging questions.

- Be pleasant and polite, smile and have a firm handshake!

- Bring several copies of your resume and cover letter in addition to the targeted resumes you created for your top five employers.  


Follow Up After the Event

Follow up with the recruiters and employers you spoke with during the event.

- Be sure to collect business cards so you’ll have the correct contact information.

- Send an email or a hand-written note, within a day or two after the event. Use this opportunity to discuss any concerns or issues that arise during the event. Reiterate your interest in their company. In my family, thank you cards are mandatory, so when my mother sent a note after an interview the employer responded with a job offer. 

Job fairs and hiring events are not about collecting free company swag, they are valuable opportunities to network, learn about employers and land a job. To make the best of a hiring event, prepare, research, and plan.
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If you are attending a job event soon, contact CASY or MSCCN.
One of our experienced Employment Specialist will be happy to help you prepare.


Written by: Amanda Marksmeier

Reentering the workforce after a notable time away can be difficult and feel nearly impossible. Let’s face it, anytime someone steps away from the job market is usually due to personal reasons (unless you hit the lottery) so having to explain this personal decision on a resume can feel overwhelming and downright frustrating.

As military spouses, we are often forced to explain employment gaps every time we apply for a job. One way to avoid the awkward “why haven’t you worked in two years?” question is to fill employment gaps with quality volunteer experience.  

Many years ago, my husband and I welcomed our third child within weeks of a deployment, so we decided I would resign and become a stay at home mom until his return. A 12-month deployment turned into 15, ending just shy of the school year. Ultimately, we decided, due to the lack of reliable and reasonably priced childcare, I would put off my reentry into the job market until fall. Then the decision came between spending hundreds of dollars on childcare and day camps or spending the summer with the kids poolside (tough decision, right?).

As the summer came to an end, I prepared to hit the ground running with an updated resume and newly purchased interview outfit. When the military version of Murphy's law struck and with it came a rapid deployment, followed by PCS orders. My one year of being a stay at home mom turned into three.

With deployment number three behind us and most of our HHG received (minus a sofa), I dusted off my resume and my interview outfit, only to be confronted with a large gap in my work history. Prior to my “sabbatical,” I had a solid ten-year work history, then three years of nothing. I did my best to explain away the gap with colorful language like “blessed to take time away,” “caring for family,” or “personal responsibilities.” These did little to convince employers I would be a committed, reliable employee.

I had to address my employment gap and ease employers’ concerns. It may seem natural to add “Household 6” on your resume, responsible for the budget and finances, day to day management of the household, organizing multiple moves, etc.

I know “military spouse” is one of toughest jobs in the military (believe me I know!), but employers don’t always see the value of hiring a military spouse. Instead, they see a liability.

​Something that can add value to your resume is volunteer work and the skills you learned while doing it. 

Military Spouses reinvent themselves on a regular basis--I'd venture to say every 3 years. As mentioned below, it's now becoming rare to get work that lines up with your college degree. I can attest to that, as I have a degree in Film and now I do Marketing and Public Relations. 

I do love where my career has taken me, and a lot of the experience is applicable across the board, but it can be EXHAUSTING to constantly have to reinvent your career! 

In the below video, Jason Shen, founder of Headlight, a performance platform,  discusses why the current model of hiring procedures misses out on a lot of great talent, because we base our decisions on experience instead of ability. 

While Jason advocates to employers about hiring based off of abilities, there are still ways you can highlight those abilities so recruiters can see how they translate. 

Your resume is your biggest asset to get you into that interview. Unfortunately, recruiters are primed to look at experience to determine eligibility, but don't let this discourage you. 

Look at the job description and what they're looking for. In your experience (don't forget to include volunteer work as experience!) plug in applicable projects you've worked that would highlight the skills that they're looking for. Your professional summary is another area that you can highlight yourself as a qualified candidate. 

Additionally, your cover letter is another piece to get you noticed. Although it's not very common anymore, it's still something recruiters want, and sometimes require. If you need help writing your cover letter, be sure to check out this post about it!

Depending on your industry, you should create and maintain a portfolio to show your work. This can be sent in with your resume to get you more visibility. Again, include volunteer work! 

You are your best resource, so once you get that interview, wow them with your talent! It's OK to tell employers you don't have the specific experience they're looking for, but that your skillset and current experience is applicable, but it's important to show them how and why you are the best candidate. 

Written by: Zaneta Padilla

Why is writing a resume so daunting? Everyone has one, it should be an easy process, right? 

True, it should be easier, but let's take a scientific approach. Since everyone has one, it's imperative to perfect that formula, so that not only do you have a resume, but now you have one that will get you noticed. 

To get help from our employment experts, sign up for our services and you'll have an assigned Employment Specialist. If you need additional help, we offer free training monthly on the topic.