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Please write to dearsam@dispatch.com. Samantha Nolan is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer with a graduate degree in Marketing and Communication and owner of Ladybug Design, a full-service résumé writing firm.

For more information, call 614-570-3442 or 1-888-9-LADYBUG or visit www.ladybug-design.com.

Whether it's a new job or an important new networking contact you're seeking, job fairs can be very productive — if you take the time to prepare. As The Dispatch's Career Fair is only a few days away (Wednesday, Feb. 13), I wanted to take this moment to offer some assistance on preparing for it. Many are not familiar with the format or how to make the most of the job fair experience.

Job fairs can be overwhelming, so preparing for it is a great way to make the most of the opportunity. At the very least, getting out for the day, dressing as if you are going to work and being prepared to sell yourself will do wonders for your psyche and your self-confidence. As an additional bonus, you will get a head start on sharpening your interviewing and networking skills.

Here are some tips to make sure you get the most out of the experience:

Review the list of exhibitors. You will need to do this for several reasons. First, when you walk up to a booth it will be impressive if you know something about the exhibitor. The worst question to ask a prospective employer is, "What do you do?" Do some research about the company on the Internet, and take the time to review recent press articles so you are aware of the direction the company is taking. You also can peruse the career section of their site to get an idea of what positions they might be seeking to fill. This will be important when you are telling the employer what you can do for them.

Customize your cover letter. While you are researching the exhibiting companies, gather their contact information and a human resources manager's name if at all possible. Use this information to customize your cover letter to each company. Doing so will tell the recruiters that you have gone the extra mile and are interested in working for them.

Prepare your sales pitch. Develop a two-minute answer to the question, "Tell me about yourself." By doing so, you will maximize your time with the hiring manager versus stumbling and taking five minutes to say the same thing. Tailor this statement to suit the needs of the employer. In other words, don't spend your time telling them what you want to do or your life history. Focus this statement on the value you can offer the employer, highlighting your core competencies and providing concrete examples reinforcing your claims.

In addition, be sure that your résumé supports your claims. A good, strong qualifications summary on your résumé will help the recruiter remember you when they go back to the office with a stack of potential applicants! (See example résumé for ideas on writing a strong qualifications summary).

Map out your strategy. When you get to the job fair, find out where each company of interest is exhibiting and map out a strategy to visit each booth. Don't be discouraged if you see long lines. If you need to, return at a more convenient time, and keep a list of the exhibitors you have visited, so you don't leave the fair forgetting to speak to one of your prospects.

Ask for business cards. Upon closing your discussion with each hiring manager, politely ask for his or her business card so you can follow-up on the opportunity with a second copy of your résumé and a personal phone call. To truly impress them, give them one of your business cards. No, this doesn't mean giving them one of your current employer's cards, but a personal business card that lists your skills and core competencies.

Dress for the job you want! Despite a job fair often seeming less formal than an individual interview, you still should take the time to dress for the job you want. Take this opportunity to put your best foot forward, both on paper and in person.

Take advantage of available seminars. There are a number of free seminars offered at the job fair covering such areas as résumé writing, interviewing and job search strategies for the mature worker. These are not only great ways to expand your knowledge but also to meet others in similar situations, share best practices and enhance your network.

By preparing yourself for the job fair, you will make the most of this opportunity, engage yourself in a professional environment and better equip yourself for future interviews. See you there!