Job Fair Tips for Production
Heading to a networking event? Someone in our Discord server, The Prod Chat, brought up this topic and I thought it’d be great to share it with others as well!
Here are some of my tips for Prod when going to a Job Fair / Career Event —currently tailored for SIGGRAPH 2025’s Job Fair in Vancouver.
Before the Event:
SIGGRAPH invites people to submit their resume. I've never done this before in the past so not sure how helpful it'd be, but can't hurt to try. Submit here.
Go early. There will 100% going to be a line up and though they're open for 7 hours, that time will go by fast AND you'll also have to spend time waiting at booths themselves before you can talk to someone as recruiters might be busy talking to other folks ahead of you too.
If you like coffee/beverage in the morning, don't get it near the convention centre. There will be lines there too, so better to get it earlier and somewhere else so you don't waste time.
Research/Know something about the studios you'll speak to. (Are they VFX? Or animation? Film? Or series? What were their projects that you like?) I don't think they released a list of who will be there, but here are some Vancouver based studios.
You can also quickly Google the studio while you wait to get to speak to someone at their booths :D
It's not a formal event, so no need to be dressed super formal/business. Go for business casual and something comfortable. You don't want to be sweating in a room packed of people :sweat_smile:
If you can, bring a fan just in case.
Production staff do not have demo reels, you can skip this when filling out forms. You can drop your own website / LinkedIn profile link instead unless they have a field specifically for these links.
Make sure to bring the final/correct version of your resume.
Know your Go-To answer for who you are, what you do, your experience so far, what you're interested in/why you wanted to speak to them. More importantly, have a GO-TO phrase that will help you not freeze in case the nerves get to you and you suddenly blank out. Sometimes, just having a 3 or 4 words prepared will help get you out of the funk and catch your breath and get back in conversation.
During the Event:
Probably best NOT to be holding a drink to keep your hands free DURING the job fair, so you can write/scan QR codes, shake hands, grab studio swags (they give a lot of pens/stickers/buttons/etc.)
Depending on the floor layout, going to the farthest booth first might get you to a shorter line and get you to speak to someone first.
If waiting in line, talk to the people around you --it's part of networking! You never know where connections lead.
Try to have specific questions prepared. The more you can target what you're looking to get clarity on or feedback on, the better/more accurately recruiters can help you and point you in the right direction.
Like an interview, remember that this is a 2 way conversation too. You can ask THEM questions to see if THEY're a match for what you're looking for. Are they hybrid? WFH? In studio? What is the onboarding process like? etc.
WRITE DOWN WHO YOU SPOKE TO, so you can mention them when you follow up later and/or add them on LinkedIn.
Before you leave the booth, make sure to thank them and ask if you can connect on LinkedIn.
Be mindful of others and the time. While it's great to chat and have an opportunity to ask questions in person, you don't have to ask ALL Qs you can think of. Plus, not asking everything is a great way to say "I don't want to take more of your time, I know there are others who want to speak to you too, but I do have a few more questions --would it be alright if I follow up with you on Linked In?" :D
After the Event:
Add them on LinkedIn AND WITH A NOTE. Recruiters will see/speak to A LOT of people and it'd be unfair to expect them to remember everyone just by name. So, when you add them on LinkedIn, best to do it soon after you've met and add a note to remind them where/how you met.
Thank them and follow up via email if not on LinkedIn.
Implement the feedback you received, revise your resumes/cover letter and apply right away.
