Job hunting might be a right of passage into adulthood, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a long, nerve-wracking process. NET/WORK Delaware makes it so you can skip the jobs boards and go straight to the source.

At NET/WORK, talented job seekers and ready-to-hire managers are able to chat face-to-face over current opportunities. And, even if your perfect match isn’t in attendance this year, you can still brush up on your interviewing skills. The Bancorp and CSC will be sharing their tips, tricks, and hacks for acing an interview during a panel discussion. Plus, free coffee and promise of an after-party happy hour make conversation that much more like a laid-back day at the office than an overwhelming job hunt.

First time at NET/WORK? We went straight to hiring companies for their tips on how to wow the crowd.

Plan for success …

Do your research before the event: Check out our list of hiring companies here. From there, you’ll be able to do a little more digging on what companies you want to stop at the day of the fair instead of “winging it” on the spot.

“Research what the organization does,” said Dana Mieras, talent acquisition coordinator at Chatham Financial. “Have an idea of a top three companies you would like to stop by and show your knowledge.”

Learning a company’s core values as well as the open positions they’re looking for will put you on a more direct path toward an offer. NET/WORK is the perfect place to expand on yourself beyond the bullets on your resume.

… then, be ready for anything.

After visiting your top three choices, it’s also a good idea to keep an open mind, noteed Janelle Bowman, marketing manager at Zip Code Wilmington. Sometimes, an opportunity can present itself when you least expect it.

“Be ready to network with people you’ve never met,” said Bowman. “Be ready to interview on the spot if requested, be open to new opportunities that you may have not considered in the past, be open to taking a lateral path instead of an upward path if it will still get you where you desire to be.”

Ready to take the next step in your career? Reserve your spot for NET/WORK Delaware.