Hanging out at the conventions

This might just be my lucky month. Two professional organizations in my field (well, one of my fields) are meeting here in Philadelphia, which means there's opportunity to build new professional and personal connections and maybe even find decent work.

Ever since de Tocqueville, visitors to this country have marveled at our propensity to form associations around common interests and concerns. For job seekers, professional associations can be a valuable source of leads, support, information and scuttlebutt about the state of their industry, craft or trade. Career fairs are also often part of the offerings at association conventions, providing chances for direct personal contact with potential employers.

There is a hitch, however. These conventions are usually open only to members of the association who have registered and paid a fee, and even events open to nonmembers usually charge admission.

As with so much else, however, there are ways to get in on the action at a discount. One of the best is to volunteer. Most professional conventions could not happen without the efforts of volunteers who help with crucial day-to-day and behind-the-scenes tasks. Volunteers are often allowed to attend many regular convention events for free as a token of gratitude.

Another, for the socially inclined, is an indirect method: hang out at the convention hotel. Convention participants often relax in the hotel's lounges and bar when not attending events, and it is often possible to strike up conversations with them.

And while these events are usually national in scope, they usually are organized with the help of a local host committee, whose members might even be willing to help fellow locals with their search for local jobs.

I plan on finding such people, and maybe even reconnecting with people I have lost touch with, at both the National Association of Black Journalists convention, which will have packed up by the time you read this post, and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association confab, coming to Philly at the end of the month. Ill keep you posted on how things go.

Do you find professional conventions useful as job search aids? Have you ever attended one with that goal uppermost, and if so, did anything come out of your attendance? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

By Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is a veteran freelance writer, editor and public relations professional who lives in Philadelphia. Besides blogging for PhillyJobs.com, he has written for numerous publications and websites, would be happy to do your resume, and is himself actively seeking career opportunities on Beyond.com. Check out his LinkedIn profile and read his other posts on PhillyJobsBlog.com.