Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich., hosts a statewide job fair twice a year for Michigan colleges and employers that attracts 166 employers and 1,000 candidates. Organizer Lavonda Robinette, assistant director of EMU career services center, says it’s unique because it’s been a collaborative event for some 20 years.

She also says that employers who attend the Michigan fair must have job openings. It’s a distinction Robinette says can be important for college seniors and other job seekers. “At this event, these are companies that have real jobs and real openings.” Some career fairs allow companies to attend that don’t have openings, which is a waste of time to students seeking jobs.

But if you’re networking and seeking information, attending any professionally run career fair can prove useful. Yvonne Banzali is a career counselor with the career development center at California Technical Institute in Pasadena, Calif. “We say everyone has their own personal objective and it’s up to the individual to take advantage of all the different angles that they can approach at a career fair,” she says.

Banzali believes networking is an underused tactic in most job searches, and career fairs are great networking tools. Caltech, like EMU, holds two fairs a year, spring and fall, to coincide with employers’ annual or seasonal recruiting. “Attendees talk to people who are actually hiring or are in the job and call tell them about real-world experiences,” Banzali says.

It’s wise to approach a career fair like any traditional job search, although this one is squeezed into a large room and a short period of time. As with any job search, preparation is key. “Read who is coming to the career fair and go above and beyond in researching the employer. Be prepared to ask questions you can’t answer using the company Web site,” Banzali says.

Robinette says career centers will help students prepare their résumés and coach them on dress, etiquette and behavior. Prepare for a career fair as you would for any interview: dress professionally, shower, get a haircut. “If you wear jeans and a flannel shirt, when you turn your back and walk down the aisle, the recruiter will file your résumé in the circular file,” Robinette says.

That well-prepared résumé should not be folded in your pocket, but kept neat. And hold it in your left hand so your right hand is free for a firm and confident handshake. “When you step up to the booth and put yourself forward to the employer in that first 15 seconds, you lose five seconds bumbling around with your résumé if you hold it in your right hand,” Robinette says. Once introduced, ask a few of your prepared questions, including information on salary, if you like.

“This is a non-threatening environment and a great outlet to ask those questions you’re curious about,” Banzali says. Communicate in your professional voice. “Practice communicating professionally,” she says. “You don’t necessarily need to be articulate, but this is not the time to use ‘dude’ or ‘hey you.’”

Robinette also reminds attendees to present a certain level of confidence. “Look them in the eye and use a firm handshake, but not so firm that you break their hand,” she says. Be aware of the time you’re taking with a recruiter, trying to keep it to five minutes maximum. “Then collect a business card and follow up,” Banzali says.

At EMU, attendees may be invited into a large, semi-private interviewing area right at the career fair, a benefit not available at all fairs. But even if you get an interview, follow-up is important.

“You need to let the recruiter know who you are, that you’re interested, that you’re persistent in learning about the company. Hopefully, you’ll get a job there without being a pest,” Banzali says.