What to Expect
Employers expect students and alumni to be dressed professionally and to be well prepared for this event.
Before The Fair
- Browse your University career center's event page and attend career fair prep and resume workshops if they are offered.
- Research the companies in attendance that interest you most. Read news reports, press releases, and websites. At a minimum, you should know what the company does before you talk to them.
- Prepare good questions that exemplify your knowledge about the company.
- Update and polish your resume. Bring plenty of copies, but be aware that some employers may prefer you to apply online after the fair.
- Practice an "elevator speech" (a brief introduction) highlighting who you are and why recruiters should be interested in you.
- Practice your interviewing skills. Some employers are prepared to interview potential candidates at the career fair or the next day.
- Dress in business professional attire.
At The Fair
- Review the room map and find the companies you planned to meet.
- Make eye contact, smile, and use a firm handshake. Introduce yourself with your previously prepared introduction mentioned above.
- Ask the recruiter questions that aren't easily answered by looking at their company's website.
- Speak with as many companies as possible. Approach the fair as a learning experience and take notes about the companies you talk to.
- Be courteous and be respectful of the recruiter's time and others waiting to speak with them. Remember to say please and thank you.
- Avoid eating, drinking and being unprofessional around the recruiters.
- Ask if you can offer them your resume or if they prefer that you apply online. Ask for a business card so you can follow up with them after the fair.
After The Fair
- Follow up with the companies that interested you the most and thank them for their time by sending a thank you card or email. Try to mention key points from the conversation you had at the fair. Check your spelling and grammar before sending.
- Continue researching the organizations you met at the fair and identify new job postings as well as potential contacts for informational interviews.
- Contact your University’s career center to set up an appointment to practice your interviewing skills in the case that you are contacted by an employer.