The job fair at the convention center changed my mind about networking

I went to the big career fair in Chicago last month thinking it was all about handing out resumes. But some recruiter from a small tech firm just sat down and asked me what I actually disliked about my old job. That chat led to a real conversation about switching fields, not just selling myself. Has anyone else found that informal talks at events beat the formal stuff every time?

2 comments

2 Comments

wood.noah17d ago

Yeah it's like they actually care instead of just scanning your paper.

tessa_hill8617d ago

Actually, formal stuff has its place too. Those quick resume drops can open doors if you've done your homework (like tailoring it for each company). The best networking for me came from mixing both kinds of conversations at once. You know, having a short structured pitch but then letting it turn into a real talk if the recruiter seems interested. Informal chats are great but they can feel shallow if nobody's actually looking for a specific role.