I applied for position and got a call back for a job fair?

[Anonymous]

I am the OP of the thread where I was looking to get out of childcare and into a new career. I have been applying to some entry level/ admin type jobs (and have a meeting with a temp agency later in the week). I have probably applied to 40 jobs in the last week. Zero responses yet, other than the generic auto-reply from HR saying they got my application materials.
I received a phone call yesterday about a position I applied for as a leasing consultant at a well known luxury apartment complex. I don't have experience doing that, but I had the qualifications they asked for. Well, I called back today and the woman I spoke with was just inviting me to a job fair they are having tomorrow. I can't make it (it's the one day I have to stay late at work of course), and I told her that- she said she is meeting with a few people on Friday and I could go then. Ok. My question- did she even look at my resume and think I was qualified? Or is this a standard move where they just invite all the applicants to a job fair and see who they like?
I am wondering if it's a waste of time, it's about a half hour away. Not too far, and I'll most likely go as it's been my only call back. Let me know what you think.

[Anonymous]

Waste of your time! Unless you like being treated like a head of cattle.
Employers with a real job to fill don't invite you to a job fair, they invite you to a private interview. I learned that the are way when I got out of college.

[Anonymous]

DH recently applied for a job and got invited to the company's March Madness party at a bar. He wasnt even sure if it was an interview but he sat down with someone (before they got too drunk) and talked and then got a call for a follow-up interview at a 7am breakfast.

Not all interviews are typical. It might be a waste of your time, but you certainly wont get a job if you dont go.

[Anonymous]

Who can really say, but nothing ventured, nothing gained!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the varying perspectives. It might be a waste of time, but I decided to go. If nothing else, I'll get some face time with the manager and ask some questions about the company.

[Anonymous]

Just make sure it's not some kind of sneaky money-making scheme. When I was looking for entry-level jobs and applying to everything, I would often get called by recruiters who just wanted to add me to their stable but didn't actually have any jobs (the ads were "examples" of where their clients "typically" were placed"). And yes, once got "invited" to a "job fair" for which there was a $50 "registration fee".

I know that's a lot of skepti-quotes, but there are some shady folks out there looking to play on the desperation of job-seekers in a crap economy.

[Anonymous]

OP here. 12:49, thanks for the laugh. I laughed because I've gotten a few of those too and its super irritating. I googled the lady that I spoked with and confirmed her actual position with the company and the two positions I was hoping to speak with her about, are indeed actual open positions. I will let you all know how it turns out. 12:49- Did you have good luck finding a job eventually?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just wanted to give you an update. I went on Friday and it ended up just being me, the HR lady and 2 other employees and it was a mini-interview. I wasn't prepared or dressed properly (I was imagining a job fair/less intimate setting) - I looked nice, but not dressy. And I hadn't done all my homework on the company. That being said, I think I nailed it (somehow). They said they loved me and are calling me this week to set up a second interview.