By Sally Kearsley
5 Things to Take to a Career Fair
- Copies of your resume (25 to 40 depending on the size of the
event)
Be sure it represents your knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) effectively.
It needs to look professional--easy to read format on plain white or
cream colored paper--and be free of typos. If you are looking at several
career options, you may want to have two or more targeted resumes with
different career objectives!
- A smile, a strong handshake, and a positive attitude
First impressions are important. Approach an employer, smile, and offer
your hand when you introduce yourself.
- A 30-second "sales pitch"
Hand the recruiter a copy of your resume and be prepared to expand on
it quickly! Share basic information about yourself and your career interests
like this: "Hello, I'm Carrie Jones. I'm a senior here at Wonderful
University and I'm majoring in English. I'm very interested in a marketing
career. As you can see on my resume, I just completed an internship
in the Marketing Division of the ABC Company in Peoria. I've also taken
some courses in business marketing. I'm very interested in talking with
you about marketing opportunities with your organization."
- Information about the organizations which will be attending
Gather information as you would for a job interview. To maximize the
brief time you have with each employer, you need to know how your skills
and interests match their needs. And don't just concentrate on the "big
names." There are often great opportunities with companies with which
you are not familiar.
- Energy!
Career fairs require you to be on your feet moving from table to table
for an hour or more. Since at each table you meet someone new, be as
refreshed as possible!
5 Things Not to Do at a Career Fair
- Don’t cruise the booths with a group of friends
Interact with the recruiters on your own. Make your own positive impression!
- Don’t carry your backpack, large purse, or other paraphernalia
with you
Carry your resume in a professional-looking portfolio or a small briefcase
works well. It will keep your resume neat and handy, and gives you a
place to file business cards of recruiters that you meet. Usually you
can stow your coat, backpack, or other gear in a coatroom.
- Don’t come dressed for rugby practice (or any other extremely
casual activity)
A career fair is a professional activity—perhaps your first contact
with a future employer.
- Don't "wing it" with employers
Do your homework! Research the companies just as you would for an interview.
You'll be able to focus on why you want to work for the organization
and what you can do for them.
- Don’t come during the last half hour of the event
Many employers come a long distance to attend the fair and may need
to leave early. If you come late, you may miss the organizations you
wanted to contact!
5 Things to Take Away From a Career Fair
- Business cards from the recruiters
you have met
Use the cards to write follow-up notes to those organizations
in which you are most interested.
- Notes about contacts you made
Take paper and pen with you to write down important
details about particular organizations, including names
of people who may not have had business cards. Take
a few minutes after you leave each table to jot down
these notes!
- Information about organizations
you have contacted
Most recruiters will have information for you to pick
up, including company brochures, computer diskettes
or CD’s, position descriptions, and other data. You
won’t have time to deal with these at the fair!
(Don’t gather lots of toys even if you really want them-
that’s not why you are at the fair!)
- A better sense of your career
options
If you have used the event correctly, you will have
made contact with several organizations that hire people
with your skills and interests. In thinking about their
needs and your background, evaluate whether each company
might be a match for you.
- Self-confidence in interacting
with employer representatives
A career fair gives you the opportunity to practice
your interview skills in a less formidable environment
than a formal interview. Use this experience to practice
talking about what you have done, what you know, and
what your interests are.
