First impressions can make or break a job opportunity.

So, when planning to attend Thursday鈥檚 Black Press Career Fair, taking some extra time to prepare beforehand will go a long way.

There are dozens of employers at the fair, each looking to recruit. To stand out from the crowd, there are a few tips job seekers should keep in mind.

鈥淧eople always say be yourself,鈥� says Danny Horner, a facilitator for GT Hiring Solutions (WorkBC) in Chilliwack. 鈥淚 agree to a certain extent. But for an employer if you鈥檙e going to have 1,000 people walking through the doors, well, what is it about these people that is going to make these employers say yes?鈥�

He tells his clients to dress business casual for career fairs. For those who aren鈥檛 sure what that means, he has this advice:

鈥淕oogle it, find some images and wear that,鈥� he says. 鈥淎t the very minimum, you will look like you care about yourself, and that tells them you鈥檒l represent their business.鈥�

While Horner says it is somewhat overused advice, it鈥檚 crucial to remember to be clean, tidy and organized.

鈥淭his is the first thing they are looking for,鈥� he says. 鈥淧eople are evaluating or judging, and if you don鈥檛 pass that first initial test of, 鈥業 take care of myself鈥�, then they鈥檙e not going to be interested.

That goes for all types of career-fair visitors. Horner says fairs are great for students looking for career ideas, for people who want to improve their employment and for those who are entering or re-entering the work force.

Job seekers should be ready with resumes and cover letters in hand, tailored to the industry they are looking to enter. And students should come prepared with a notebook and pen, along with questions to ask recruiters.

鈥淵ou should have questions in mind and have an idea of the employers you want to go see, so the conversations are good and effective,鈥� Horner says.

And it鈥檚 important to remember that employers are looking for more than just skills and qualifications.

鈥淭hey are looking for the two Ps,鈥� Horner says, 鈥淧ersonality, but also your presentation.鈥�

They are looking at your body language, communication skills and confidence.

鈥淎s a job seeker, you鈥檝e got to know what job you鈥檙e going after. Know your focus,鈥� he says. 鈥淔ind the employers that fit your focus.鈥�

From there, he recommends building targeted resumes for those employers. Bring those to the career fair, but also bring general resumes. Career fairs can open job seekers eyes to industries or employers they hadn鈥檛 considered, and it鈥檚 good to be prepared.

The Black Press Career Fair takes place on Thursday, May 11, at the 91原创 Events Centre (7888 200 St.), from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring more than 100 employers ready to hire and give career search advice and post-secondary direction. Check out Black Press Career Fair鈥檚 Facebook page for more details.