[nabs-l] Navigating Job Fairs

[Arielle Silverman]

This is a great question and I'm curious to hear from anyone who has
successfully made a job connection at a job fair. I suspect that job
fairs are a resource under-utilized by blind job seekers, in part
because of the access issues being brought up here.
I agree that bringing a guide or reader would probably be wise, though
I know it may be difficult to find someone to do it. If you have a
dedicated reader already then this seems like a fine time to bring
this person along and compensate them for their help in navigating and
filling out job applications. I would be less excited about the idea
of bringing a family member or friend with you since it is an
imposition on their time (plus telling the employer you are with your
mom or dad might make a less favorable impression) but depending on
the kind of relationship you have with this person, this may work. You
also want to be sure your reader/guide goes where you want them to go
and doesn't filter the information for you (again, this can be a
problem with parents etc. sometimes). On the other hand, if you don't
have access to a reader, going at a less busy time and asking each
table who they are seems like a fine solution too. It would also be
nice if the job fair had an information table and then you could go
there and ask the representative to point you to specific employers'
tables (who you've identified in advance by looking at the online
info).
Best of luck and keep us posted,
Arielle

On 3/11/13, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hello,
> I suggest having a guide. Its very noisy and crowded especially with the
> amount of employers you described.
> The challenge is knowing where the lines end in the maze of people and
> knowing what table is what. So yes, I suggest having someone navigate it
> with you. If you cannot have someone, go at a less busy time such as the
> last hour and then ask what each table is as you get near it. For job
> applications, this is where a fellow sighted guide comes in handy; if you
> don't have that, another representative at the table may be able to assist
> you. Often there are two people at each table; so one can help you while
> another answers questions.
>
> Another way may be to fill it out later with a reader and mail it in or fax
>
> it.
> I suspect though that this will not be an issue because most job
> applications are online anyway.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Misty Dawn Bradley
> Sent: Monday, March 11, 2013 5:43 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: [nabs-l] Navigating Job Fairs
>
> Hi all,
> The community college that I am attending is having a job fair next week. I
>
> have never really attended a job fair, so I was wondering if anyone here has
>
> any tips on navigating a job fair? There will be 60 or 70 different
> employers there, so it will probably be a large job fair. The good thing is
>
> that the college provided a spread sheet on the employers and job positions,
>
> but it does not discuss how things will be laid out. Will it look bad to
> potential employers if you have help navigating around the job fair, such as
>
> someone who walks with you and just reads out the signs and tells you what
> is where, or is it better to do that independently, even though you will not
>
> know which booth or table is which? I am usually a very independent person
> that does just about everything on my own, but this is something new for me,
>
> and I don't want to look bad or awkward to employers while moving around the
>
> job fair. Also, I do not know if it would turn employers away if I go to
> each table and ask which company it is. Also, if you had to fill out any
> applications there on the spot, how did you manage that? Have any of you had
>
> any success with job fairs, and what did you find that worked for you?
> Any tips or experiences will be appreciated.
> Thank you,
> Misty
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