Maximize recruiting and minimize cost: These events are great opportunities to access large pools of potential candidates at a low cost and with minimal effort.

Rapidly distribute information: Companies announce their talent needs to all participants before and during the events.

Abbreviate their selection process: Interviews can be conducted on-site and sometimes offers are made to save time.

Build their brand: Presenting a company brand in public alongside well-known companies can immediately improve a company’s reputation.

Meet and network with peer companies: Meeting other like-minded companies establishes mutually beneficial relationships where best practices and even talent may be shared.

Expand their talent network for future needs: Many companies grow their database of talent that they can call upon when future needs arise.

Research multiple companies: Quickly learn about the company’s culture and values.

Expand your network: Create a gold mine of networking opportunities; conduct impromptu informational interviews or arrange to meet after the event.

Learn about opportunities associated with targeted career fields: Explore current and future job opportunities and the required credentials.

Practice using the language of your targeted career fields: Speak your “new” language, whether it be a general discussion, an impromptu informational interview or an interview with a hiring manager.

Compare your military skills and credentials: Assess the relevance of your military experiences to your targeted career fields by learning about job requirements.

Attend free workshops and seminars: Most events offer additional experiences or tutorials that will improve your performance throughout the military-to-civilian transition.

Get your resume reviewed: Professionals often review and offer suggestions on how to improve your resume.

1. Register early and, if permitted, provide in advance a resume that highlights your education and relevant military skills and experiences.

2. Determine which companies will attend and note those that may support your targeted career fields and are in your preferred geographical areas of interest.

3. Research the identified companies to assess their culture and values.

4. Research whether your selected companies are veteran friendly or have a veteran employee resource group.

5. Develop your plan of attack for the day of the event - decide which of these companies’ tables you will visit.

6. Develop a customized resume for each of your targeted career fields, then print several copies of each.

7. Rehearse your 30-second personal introduction and greeting, identifying who you are, what your career interest is, your relevant skills and experiences, your geographical preferences and the earliest date you can start work - and do it without using a single military word, title, phrase or acronym.

8. Contact event organizers to see if these specific companies provided a listing of the open roles they intend to fill at the event.

9. Visit the selected companies' career sites; review relevant job descriptions.

10. Apply for one of these jobs – ONLY if you meet all the specified requirements and after customizing your resume to that job description. (Print off all online responses from your application and carry them with you.)

11. Procure a notebook and pen or fully charge your mobile device to capture essential information from company representatives.

12. Select appropriate clothing to wear to show you are professional and ready to work.

1. You might meet a recruiter who never served a day in their life; so, you should ensure your introductory presentation is tailored to someone who doesn’t know anything about the military.

2. You may find a hiring manager who will assess talent for a specific need. (The hiring manager is often NOT at the company table. Instead, they will be in a separate room to conduct interviews.)

3. You may find a veteran employee in attendance who can translate your skills and experiences for the recruiter and hiring manager. Sometimes this veteran employee is a member of the employee resource group.

4. The company effort may be narrowly focused into one of these different objectives:

• Hire immediately to fill an urgent need (normally advertised before the event)

• Build a pipeline of talent to fill a specific and recurring need 

• Strengthen their database of talent for future, unspecified needs

5. They may ask you to “sign in” (electronically) so they can capture your information in their database.

6. Do not get offended -- they might NOT ask for your resume because the event organizer often has a centralized database for all participants, and your resume is included.

7. The company representative may ask you questions to learn more about your suitability and interests.

8. The representative may provide additional information and give you leads that are not available on the employer’s website.

1. The company asks you to apply for a job on the spot. This will only happen if you are perfect for the company’s immediate need, and they need you to apply before they can properly interview you.

2. The company representative invites you to participate in an interview. This may happen, but only for those attendees who are suited for the job. You might be the lucky one. But don’t expect this.

3. The hiring manager offers you the job or hires you at the event. Similarly, this can happen, but very infrequently. Timing and perfect alignment of the needed skills are essential.  So, don’t expect this either.