Job Fair Tips - Brief Article

Camping Magazine, Jan, 2000

In this season of staff recruitment, remember these job fair tips:

* Keep your booth updated. Make sure the photos are current and that your other visuals are eye-catching. Emphasize your strengths and identify what is unique about your program.

* Invest in inexpensive giveaways printed with your camp name. Have food or candy in your booth. Students will often stop by because they see free goodies. Use this opportunity to strike up a conversation and begin recruiting.

* Have brochures or flyers to give to students. Put something in their hands that will make them remember your camp.

* Utilize former staff members. If former staff members attend the college or university that is hosting the job fair, ask them to sit in the booth with you or to bring by friends who might be interested in working at camp.

* Send camp literature to university degree programs in advance of the fair. Students will seek out camps whose programs and facilities they are familiar with.

* Do your own advertising. Consider running an ad in the school newspaper to promote your visit.

* Accept mini-applications, with simply a name, phone number, and why the student wants to work at camp. Take notes to remember who impressed you or who seemed very interested in your display.

* Emphasize how working at camp can help build resumes. Camp counselor experience translates into excellent management and personnel experience. Working at camp teaches interpersonal skills, leadership, responsibility, and maturity.

* Never say anything negative about another camp.