Career Fair Tips: What to Ask at a Career Fair?

Wondering how to prepare for your next career fair? At AIFP, we travel to career fairs across Oregon searching for potential candidates, and we’ve learned a thing or two about the process. Here are a few of the most effective questions for candidates to ask at a career fair.

What to Ask at A Career Fair?

Imagine this: you’re walking around a career fair when you come across a booth for a company you might be interested in. The recruiter tells you a bit about the company and any available positions, then asks you what questions you have for them.

While there’s no magic question that will make a recruiter want to hire you on the spot, having some questions in mind can showcase your interest and curiosity, and it can help you more effectively narrow down your options once you leave the career fair.

Ask About What It Takes to Succeed at the Job/Company

Remember, you’re not just looking for a job, you’re looking for the right job. Ask the recruiter questions that help you figure out if you’d excel in the job and in the company. That way you can see if it’s a good fit for your background, skills, personality, short-term, and long-term goals. Here are some sample questions you might ask.

• What skills, previous work experience, or educational background do you look for when you recruit for open positions at your company?
• What types of challenges and opportunities are associated with the position?

Ask About the Future

Asking questions about the future shows that you’re looking at the big picture and indicates an interest in longevity with a company. Plus, it can help you better understand how a job would align with your long-term goals. The following sample questions will help you get a better sense of what to expect after the newness wears off.

• What is the typical career path of someone in this position? How long does it usually take to move up in the company?
• How do you see the jobs in this industry changing over the next five years? What can I do to prepare myself for such changes?

Ask About Company Culture

All companies are different, and in addition to finding a job that fits your skillset and goals, it’s also important to find a company culture that fits your personality and lifestyle. These questions can help you get a better sense of the people you’ll be working with and the culture of the company.

• What are the backgrounds of other employees in your company or department?
• What kind of training and professional development opportunities are offered?
• How does the company measure performance? How often are performance reviews given?
• Does the company give back to the community and celebrate achievements throughout the year? 

Looking for other ways to prepare for the career fair? Check out our blog where we cover everything from which sales career path is right for you to job interview tips to help you land the job. Interested in working at AIFP? Learn more about AIFP traders and their career journeys and our company culture. You can even apply to become a commodities trader with us. Good luck!