Just in case you have been hiding in a hole with no access to internet until now, here’s a news flash: the economy is suffering which means the few jobs that are out there are going to be more competitive to get.  Last week, I attended the career fair at my Thunderbird School of Global Management, where I am currently enrolled in their Global On-demand MBA program.  Having a campus to go to attend the career fair is a benefit if you are studying online; otherwise there are also some national career fairs such as NSHMBA.

Being at the career fair in an uncertain economy is kind of like being at a bar with 95% males where the women can pretty much have their choice of who they dance with.  So, if you are the guy that doesn’t have much to offer, let’s just say that you will probably be waiting awhile to get an offer to dance.  In the bar scenario, there are things you can do to make yourself more attractive such as going to the gym, getting groomed, or perhaps redoing your wardrobe (the flannel shirt look faded about 15 years ago). 

In terms of trying to get hired in a career fair, while the grooming and appropriate attire help, what employers are really looking for is that you have the right degrees, work experience, and perhaps something else that shines on your resume.  A graduate degree is starting to become almost a minimum standard, without it, you may not even be invited to the table if you are looking for a management job.  You must be able to sell your work experience as being meaningful in the job you are trying to get.  For example, I had worked as a ski and snowboard instructor prior to getting a job in Supplier Management at Boeing.  I was able to tell the recruiter that my previous job had given me the skills to train and lead a group of people in a harsh and fearful environment allowing them to be successful with limited risk exposure.  Lastly, as far as having something that shines on your resume, perhaps you volunteered building schools in Vietnam which shows Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or finished in the top 5 in a business plan competition which demonstrates your entrepreneurial thinking ability.