At Least One Month Before the Career Fair

Get Your Resume Ready

• Visit Career Services to learn about resumes and have yours professionally reviewed.
• Obtain a list of the companies participating in the career fair so you will know how many resumes to bring.
• Buy a quality portfolio to keep your resume straight and easy to retrieve.

Plan & Prioritize

• Review the list of participating employers for the career fair.
• Make a list of employers you definitely want to meet, and create a list of maybes in case you have extra time at the fair.
• Don’t pass up an employer because you already think you know what they’re looking for – you may miss out on an opportunity.

Research Employers

• Surf the Internet or visit Career Services to learn basic information on each company that interests you – find out what each company specifically needs.
• This research will help you know how to best sell your skills to each specific company.

Prepare Your 30-Second Commercial

Employers are busy at career fairs and need to evaluate you in a short amount of time. During your commercial accomplish the following:

• Introduce yourself by providing your name, major and university.
• Using the research you've done, explain your interest in the organization.
• Relate your history and skill set to the employer’s specific needs.
• Mention relevant experience you've had, such as internships, jobs, leadership experiences.

Practice your commercial numerous times. Try it out on a Career Services staff member.

Prepare to Answer & Ask Questions

• Recruiters at the fair will ask questions like the following:
• What kind of work are you looking for?
• What strengths and skills can you offer our company?
• Why do you want to work for our company?
• Prepare professional responses to these questions.
• Ask questions of the recruiter as well to impress them with your serious interest.
• Ask about specific job responsibilities.
• Ask how the position fits into the overall organization.
• Ask how you can learn about company openings and opportunities in the future.

At the Career Fair

Dress the Part

• You will be judged by the first impression you make – appearance counts!
• Dress professionally.
• Suits are suggested for both men and women.
• Be classic rather than trendy.
• Skirt suits are fine, but watch hemlines.
• Be conservative – go light on makeup, jewelry, funky hair and especially cologne or perfume.
• Wear professional, but comfortable shoes – you’ll be on your feet all day.

Arrive Early

• Check in at the registration table and get a name tag.
• Obtain a list of participating employers and a map of the booths if possible.
• Take care of last-minute appearance touch-ups.

Take Advantage of All Employers

• Most students don’t make the most of career fairs because they visit too few employer tables.
• If an employer is not advertising an opening in your area, ask them for the name of someone in their company who works in the department or area in which you’re interested.
• Call or send a resume to this new contact.
• Long lines will abound, so make the most of your time and visit other employers while you wait for some lines to shorten.
• Keep in mind you will only be speaking with each employer for three to five minutes.

Approach Each Employer With Confidence

• Listen while you’re standing in lines – you can learn a lot about the company and available positions by listening to what is being said to people in front of you.
• As you approach the recruiter, make good eye contact, smile and give them a firm handshake.
• Introduce yourself with your 30-second commercial.
• Be professional at ALL times.
• Explain why you are interested in the company.
• Sell your skills and interests.
• Be enthusiastic about the company – SMILE.
• Focus on what you have to offer the company, not what they can do for you.

Take the Initiative

• Always ask for a business card so you can follow up.
• If the recruiter doesn't have a card, write down the correct spelling of his or her name, title, address, phone number and email address.
• Ask the recruiter the best way to follow up to learn about current opportunities.
• Take any available company literature and immediately make notes about the conversation you had with the recruiter.

After the Career Fair

Write a Follow-up Letter or Email

• Within three days, write a separate letter or email to each employer you visited, thanking them for their time – you’ll be sure to stand out because many students don’t take the time to do this.
• Written letters should be printed on quality stationary.
• Thank the recruiter for the information he or she provided (BONUS POINTS – use the notes you took to mention specific things you enjoyed speaking with them about).
• Restate your skills and qualifications and request an interview.

Be Persistent in Following Up With Employers

• Your resume will serve as a reminder of your qualifications, but don’t rely on the recruiter to contact you after the fair.
• Identify specific positions you would like to learn more about, and contact the employer by phone within two weeks of the fair.
• Initiative is impressive – it’s key to obtaining an offer from a career fair employer.

Career Fair Dos & Don’ts

Do

• Be professional, enthusiastic and confident at ALL times. The person you meet in the bathroom may be a recruiter you see later in the day!
• Explore every company that catches your interest.
• Take breaks – you’ll need them!
• Make notes about each visit immediately after speaking with a recruiter.
• Focus on what you can bring to the company.
• Spend as much time as you need at the career fair – don’t rush.

Don’t

• Immediately give your resume to an employer in lieu of introducing yourself.
• Chew gum.
• Expect the recruiter to control the conversation.
• Hang out with friends where employers can watch you.
• Ask about salary – let the recruiter bring it up.
• Bring friends or family to the fair with you.
• Hesitate to strike up conversations – recruiters are eager to meet you!