“5. Research the companies that will be there, and categorize them as “A targets” and “B targets” to make the most of your time at the job fair, says Jordan Rayboy, president and CEO of Rayboy Insider Search, a headhunting firm specializing in placing people within the niche area of Information Technology data storage.
“Part of that research is a list of questions prepared to showcase your talents. Exhibit your qualifications for the market by the quality and depth of the questioning. For example, with a sales opportunity, ask about territory, quota, or accelerators once you’re past quota,” Rayboy says.  Or, ask company-specific questions: Why do people stay there? What’s working well for the company? If line managers are present, ask them, “If you were the CEO, what would you change? Can the company improve?”

10. Ask closing-oriented questions at the end of your conversation with each recruiter, Rayboy says.
For example, “Do you have any concerns that make you think I’m not qualified or would prevent you from moving forward with me in the process?” “Most interviewers are not candid enough to say, ‘Thanks, I don’t think is a fit because of this, this and this.’ They say, ‘We’ll get back to you.’ They won’t voice it unless you ask. And you might have all the experience they’re looking for, but perhaps it wasn’t the focus of the interview or the conversation. They may think you don’t have it when you have it by the boatload,” Rayboy says. A recruiter may say, “I’m concerned you haven’t managed enough people,” and you could counter with, “I’m glad you mentioned that, because I managed 75 people in this position for x number of years,” Rayboy says.

The last question is, “What’s the next step in the process?”
 “Ask their timeframe: how soon are they looking to bring someone on board? Is it by the beginning of the next quarter or yesterday? Then ask, ‘Would you like to move forward with me in the process? I’m interested in pursuing this and could add value to your organization. What do you need to do to get the next step scheduled?’ If you get push back, reiterate the question about whether something is preventing them from calling you back. Sometimes they might be more forthcoming the second time you ask,” Rayboy says. However, there is a limit to being insistent. Don’t be too overbearing. Use your best judgment.

Read the full story at https://www.civilianjobs.com/March.AprilCJN2011_article_successfuljobfairs.htm