Follow these tips to make the best impression:

1. Know what type of job you want. Don’t attend a career fair without knowing what type of job you want to land.

2. Be able to introduce yourself to potential employers. This isn’t as easy as it might seem.

3. Know about the company. There’s nothing more appealing to an employer than prospective hires who actually know something about their organization.

4. Have some good questions to ask. Once you know the basics, it’s easy to draft several inquiries to make you look smart, informed, and on target.

5. Know about the recruiter (if possible). If you can identify the recruiter who will attend the career fair, then look her up on LinkedIn ahead of time.

6. Look the part. It is absolutely crucial to dress professionally. This typically m

eans a business suit that fits, a clean, pressed shirt or blouse, and polished shoes.

7. Have copies of your resume, but expect to be told to apply online. You can’t show up at a career fair without copies of your resume, but don’t plan to drop them off with the recruiter in lieu of applying online.

8. Swap business cards. Even if you’re not currently employed, create a professional business card with your name, a headline that illustrates what you do, and your contact information.

9. Follow up. Send a follow-up note that references your meeting and conversation. (The notes you took from the fair will come in handy for this.)

10. Adjust your attitude. What kind of impression will you make at a career fair if you pout and have a negative demeanor?

Read all the details at my U.S. News & World Report post.

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