Q: What should someone wear to a job fair?

A: Job fairs are an excellent way for job seekers to explore job opportunities and to learn more about the companies they may be interested in working for. Prospective candidates should always wear professional business attire to a job fair. Come dressed for success and wear comfortable shoes. Your attire should reflect a professional image of someone who is serious about your job search and is ready for an on-the-spot interview with company recruiters.

Q: How much of an impact does a first impression have on a potential employer?

A: We meet so many candidates at these job fairs. First impressions are very important. As hiring managers, we are already making an assessment of the person as they walk up to the company booth. You can increase your chances of leaving a memorable first impression by demonstrating knowledge and interest in the company, dressing appropriately, making good eye contact, having a firm handshake and preparing a one-minute introduction that summarizes for the hiring manager the unique set of skills and work experience you will bring to the company.

Q: What should someone seeking a job bring to a job fair?

A: Most importantly, you should bring many copies of your resume which should be updated with your latest position information and experience. Consider bringing different versions of your resume that would be appropriate for specific types of positions or industries. Most employers may not be able to conduct interviews at the job fair and will need to contact candidates when they return back to the office. The company representatives at the job fair may not be the managers actually doing the interviewing and hiring for specialized positions. Your resume needs to give you the best chance of landing an interview. The representatives at the job fair may do an initial assessment after their brief conversation and will pass the resumes of the candidates to the hiring managers.

Q: How many employers should someone apply with at a job fair?

A: This is really up to the candidate as there is no right number. The job fair usually has hundreds of companies and is the best venue for someone actively looking for a job to be able to meet many companies in one location in one day. It’s best to do some research and maximize your time by targeting the companies that you are interested in working for.

Q: Can someone expect to walk away from a job fair with a job?

A: I have not heard of anyone actually getting hired at a job fair. Job fairs are usually the first step in identifying potential candidates. Many companies conduct several interviews prior to making a job offer, and therefore the hiring process may take a little longer.

Q: What questions should you ask a potential employer?

A: It’s important to do research on each company and to ask questions about the company’s mission, vision and culture to determine if the company would be a good fit for you. First Hawaiian Bank has been serving the Hawaii community for nearly 157 years and has a strong culture of caring employees who work collaboratively together towards a shared vision. We look to hire people who share our company’s core values and offer an excellent benefits package that also includes special employee discounts on banking products. Many of our employees got their start as tellers or management trainees and have gone on to senior level positions.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when attending a job fair?

A: Many candidates don’t dress appropriately for an interview or they don’t do research on the companies and are unprepared for an interview, leaving potential employers with a very unfavorable first impression. At First Hawaiian Bank we believe it all starts with saying “Yes,” making that commitment to yourself to pursue what you want to do in life. So if you plan on investing the time to attend a job fair, be sure you take the steps needed that could help you land that dream job.