How to Make the Most of a Career Fair

Career fairs can seem overwhelming with masses of employers looming and eager to give you information. But what do you want to get out of it? Career fairs can provide you with the opportunity to make valuable contacts and learn more about various job opportunities in a variety of career fields. The following are some tips on how to work your way through the sea of employers and fish out the information you are seeking.

• Decide what your goal is for the career fair. Will you ask for interviews or simply ask for more information? Will you be ready to pass out resumes, or would you prefer to collect business cards and apply at a later date when you can include a cover letter? If you have questions about how you want to tackle the fair, make an appointment with a Career Center staff member before you go.

• Have a flawless resume prepared and bring multiple copies . You will have a brief amount of time to talk to employers so you will want to leave a resume to remind them of your qualifications. It is critical that it is error-free and easy-to-read. Don’t use “creative” fonts or try to cram it all into a limited space by using a tiny size font. If you need assistance with preparing or editing one, make an appointment with a Career Center staff member as soon as possible.

• Do some background research on the organizations that are going to be represented. Try to obtain a list of the companies that will be attending the career fair so that you can begin your research early. Know the basic information such as what are their products/services, what are the goals of the company, what positions are typically open to recent graduates, the size of the organization, etc. This information will help you match your interests and abilities to that particular company. In addition, it will also help you identify the employers you want to seek out at the career fair. Recruiters would rather spend their time learning of your qualifications to see if you would be a possible match rather than telling you the basic information of the company.

• Have a plan. Arrive early so you can become familiar with the set-up and determine how you should proceed. Prioritize the organizations that you are most interested in and meet with them first. Be careful not to waste too much time in long lines. Remember, smaller organizations can provide good career opportunities even though they might not be as well known as the larger companies.

• Prepare a 30-second “commercial” about yourself. Be prepared to summarize the important things you want the employer to know about you. Greet employers, tell them your name, your major, your class year, and whether you are interested in a full-time, co-op or internship position. Explain why you are interested in their organizations and be prepared to discuss how your interests and abilities match their needs. It is helpful to think of it in terms of what three points you want the employer to remember about you. Rehearsing your commercial will make you feel more comfortable in initiating conversations with employers.

• Have questions prepared to ask the employer. What do you want to know about the company? Some ideas on what to ask about are typical entry-level jobs, job responsibilities, qualifications, training, and the possibility of travel and/or relocation. This is not the time to ask about pay or personal questions to the recruiter. Show interest and ask questions, but be sure to do so in such a way that you are not grilling the employer.

• Ask the employer about the next step. When you give the employer your resume, be sure to ask what the next step is in the process, or what you can do to stay informed about open positions. Usually the recruiter will be able to give you a website address or jobline number where positions are listed.

• Dress appropriately. Dress like a professional, not a student. Business suits are appropriate. At the very least, dress as you would for a typical day on the job. Remember, it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

• Send a thank you note. If possible, obtain the business card from the recruiters of the companies that are of the most interest to you, and then send a thank you note or letter within the week. If you are graduating that semester, include another copy of your resume with the letter. If your graduation is further away, follow up with a letter and copy of your resume as the date gets closer. If the recruiters do not have business cards to give out, write down their names and then try to obtain their mailing address through the internet or career fair information handouts.