Job Fair season is here and for any of you out there attending one to meet a potential new employer - beware of your behavior while being a participant. As I just attended a job fair, I will admit, I was shocked to see some things that definitely could deter a person from finding a job.

Many of my colleagues made note of things and as a blogger, I felt compelled to share.  A couple of tips to be mindful of:  

• Dress professional - no shorts, low cut tops, tank tops, or sandals. Wear a smile, and have no food or chewing gum while visiting the booths- save it for outside.
• Companies are not just there to hand out freebies such as pens, candy and company logo items.  Be considerate of one per customer and remember you are at a job fair to get a job, not the coolest new pen in town.  While employers take pride in the products that they can share with candidates, the point is sharing.  They want to talk to you and see how you might fit into their company and tell you about the opportunities they have. It is discouraging for employers and Human Resource professionals that spend their day talking up their company only to find out that all someone wants is the pen they have, not hear about their company.
• Make sure to have childcare arranged so you do not have to bring your children. Employers want to meet you and focus on you, not whether the kids are going to destroy their display.  
• Don’t take up too much of the HR professional’s time. Share your resume and listen to what to they have to say. Find the details about what they offer.
• Find out the application process and if there is follow up required after the job fair. 
• Remember that this is a brief chance meeting with the company. Make your best impression because employers recall things from job fairs.

Share the job fair stories that you have witnessed or embarrassing situations - everyone has one!