A career fair can be a great way to reach recruits, but not if it’s a poorly run event that few candidates attend. Here are some things to look for when deciding which fairs to go to:

The first thing to pay attention to before you sign up is what companies have already done so. You can find out by calling the fair organizers. A good rule of thumb: Don’t be the first. If a fair has trouble attracting employers, it’ll have trouble attracting candidates. You want to see a good number of companies similar to yours, or companies seeking similar positions. That likely means there’ll be more candidates with relevant experience.

Next, learn about the fair’s advertising strategy. If they don’t have one beyond setting up a Web site, that’s a bad sign. Preferably, whoever is in charge will spread the message through multiple media outlets. In fact, the best fairs are often the ones that are sponsored by media companies (newspapers, for example), since they have the power to push a lot of ads.

In the end, if you decide not to actually recruit at the fair, it might still be worth your time to check it out, especially if it’s a recurring event. That’s not always possible, depending on the location and other time constraints. But popping your head in for a quick peak might let you know whether or not you’ll want to reserve a table next time.

Tags: advertising, job fairs, recruiting tips