Preparing for the Career Fair

By Sally Kearsley

5 Things to Take to a Career Fair

1. 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!
2. 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.
3. 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."
4. 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.
5. 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

1. Don’t cruise the booths with a group of friends
   Interact with the recruiters on your own. Make your own positive impression!
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

1. 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.
2. 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!
3. 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!)
4. 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.
5. 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.