Recommend some IT career/job fairs in Chicago surroundings? (sales, insurance)

[ackmondual]

I'm going to the job fair sponsored by a couple of congresswomen and IDES. However, I have a feeling this is just going to be positions like Home Depot, selling life insurance, and armed services recruitment centers.

Are there any job/career fairs in Chicago, or northern part of IL that offer IT/software related jobs?

[MSchemist80]

Career fairs are pretty much useless. HR shows up and hands out pens and water bottles and tell people to apply on the company website as it is just a publicity event for them. Other than that there are the usual temp agencies, for-profit colleges, multilevel marketers, and other bottom feeders there.

[Idon'tdateyou]

I've gone to a few career fairs and they are usually a waste with worthless jobs (most you apply online anyway), sales jobs, and volunteering (great if you want to volunteer but who wants to work a professional job for free?).

[ackmondual]

So your answers are "no, I don't know of any".

Would like to hear from others.


I'd normally knock career fairs, and it was after going to 2 dozen of them (I honestly could've skipped 8 of them based on "ROI risk assessment"), but I did get my last job because of a career fair. I suppose I could've still gotten by just applying online at home, but if it happened to be a career fair where that particular employer wasn't listed, then that would've made all the difference in the world. Plus, going in person can give that better edge.

I don't want to just be applying online and using temp agencies. Some recruiters and such are sleazy and only wanted your resume. Career fairs may be far from the "silver bullet", but I do need to try out all options. There are too many things where the odds are against your favor, but that's not a solution nor excuse when you're looking for work.