Career Fair Success

Career and information fairs offer opportunities for those seeking career information and actual positions (including internships, summer jobs, and permanent positions) to meet directly with a variety of employers in a setting that is less formal than a one-on-one interview. For students who have never been to a career fair, however, many questions arise about what will happen, how they should prepare, what is appropriate or inappropriate behavior, and so forth.

Format of Career Fairs:

All employers are assigned to a table/booth from which they will disseminate information and meet students. Some employers will have more than one representative. Students are encouraged to approach any booth and engage the representative in conversation. Representatives of Career Services will be available to help students navigate. Career Fairs give the opportunity to explore different types of careers, obtain information about employers, and serve as a way to make contacts.

Before the Fair:

A complete list of attendees is usually available a few weeks before any career fair; check the web site of the organization sponsoring the event. Look over the list of employers attending the fair ahead of time, and research those employers that interest you the most. Researching organization's web pages, attending information sessions held on campus in the weeks prior to a fair, speaking with alumni who are currently employed by the organization, and reading articles in magazines, newspapers, and online can be most helpful in making a lasting impression. Develop a personal plan for the time you intend to spend at the fair. Determining which employers are high priorities and organizing research notes accordingly is important. Also, you should think about how you want to present yourself, perhaps to the point of developing a quick introduction that touches on your background and interests. Get your resume ready! Have a career counselor from Career Services review your resume. Bring generic resumes as well as those targeted to specific positions you know you will speak to employers about. Make sure you have several copies printed on resume paper. Preparation, confidence, and solid communication skills are crucial to success.

During the Fair:

Request information from employers you aren't too familiar with but are interested in learning more about. Greet each employer with a firm handshake, use good eye contact, ask for a business card or other contact information, and inquire as to how you should follow up. Remember to ask as well as answer questions from the employers. Handing out resumes without taking the time to network will not be as effective of a job search method as speaking with the employers about opportunities at their companies.

Questions for Employers

Depending on your specific situation, you are wise to formulate questions that relate to your needs for career information as well as recruiting details. Not only does asking questions help you to gather more information about the employer, it also shows the employer that you are interested in the company. The following are examples of questions that you would want to ask:

This is my main career goal (or interest). What types of opportunities might your organization have for someone with my background?
What coursework is beneficial to prepare for this field?
What skills do you feel people need to be successful in this field?
How important are grades as you evaluate candidates?
What are the starting positions in your organization
What types of training are provided and how are they structured?
Are summer jobs or internships available and how can they be investigated further?
How would you describe the environment you work in?
How would you describe a "typical" day at work?
What are the major rewards of your job?
What are the major frustrations you encounter on the job?
What is the average length of time employees stay with the organization?
How does the organization compare with/differ from its competitors?
Who do you know that might be willing to speak with me as well? May I use your name when contacting him/her?

Appropriate Attire

You should dress to make a good first impression. Students expecting to make contacts for possible positions frequently wear attire similar to that which they might wear to an interview. While such attire is not required, certainly a clean, well-groomed image is desirable. The terms "dressy casual" or "business casual" generally describe most students' dress choices. Be sure to review our guide to Dressing for Interviews and Career Fairs, on the right menu of this page.

After the Fair:

A number of options present themselves: connecting further via e-mail, telephone or a visit to the organization's office with the representative if recommended (Don't hesitate to ask for business cards!), participating in on-campus recruiting through the Office of Career Services, monitoring company web sites for recruiting needs, or taking other steps that the representatives may suggest. Discussing your fair experience with a staff person in Career Services may be helpful in deciding just what to do. Remember to immediately write a note thanking the employer and include another resume and supporting materials, if requested.