Networking and Job Fairs

I don't know about anyone else but Job Fairs to me are akin to being on a bread line, everyone is there because they need to eat and fearful that when it's their turn - no food will be left.

What one would find at most of these Fairs are tables where the Company Representatives sit waiting to speak with droves of people looking for a job. Dressed appropriately, resume in hand, you are waiting your turn to speak with a potential employer, hoping that you make an impression that will outdo all the others that are there for the same job and to boot...in the 5 minutes usually allotted.

Job Fairs - who came up with that idea? This idea works for Company's, it's cost effective - just one ad is placed showcasing all the employers involved, it's impersonal - no phone calls, you meet job starved candidates that came to you - for 5 minutes, take their resumes and their on their way without the need of a real interview, aah, any employers dream meet!

I personally see few upsides with this process - I have heard that a scant few who attend these Fairs actually get a call for these supposed job openings. I had a friend who was sent to a Job Fair by referral from a Company to meet with a representative for a job he was interested in - it really meant nothing, he got his 5 minutes just like everyone else there and never heard from the Company.

These Fairs are nothing more than fact finding ventures in my opinion, it tells a company what caliber of employee potential is out there, what salaries they can get away with offering and... resumes make for great marketing lists for potential customers. I know, I know that I sound negative, but I stand by my negativity on this front especially, how on earth can any employer make a determination whether a candidate is a fit for the position by speaking with them in a frenzied environment for 5 or 10 minutes??? My take is not far fetched, is it? So next time a Job Fair comes up and you go, pay attention to the process and jot down how many calls you receive for an interview. And by the way, if your still going to Job Fairs... I think you have your answer, time for a new plan.

Now, as far as networking goes I think we all have a little better shot at that job avenue. Grant it, it was a much better shot a couple of years ago. Now, with the recession it's much harder and only because company's have cut back on hiring and knowing someone in the company and getting a referral isn't a sure thing, but it's gives most job seekers a far better chance of being hired because many hiring managers, when given the option, would rather employ someone through referral than a total stranger.

Networking is by far a stronger option than the Job Fairs circuit - which in my opinon is just a waste of time.