Career Fair Tips

Use the details in the Profile Guide to develop a list of companies you want to target and know specific information about each.

Develop a couple of good questions to ask each recruiter/representative. Questions can include: asking for clarification on something particular you read on their website, asking for specific details of their opportunities, what it’s like to work at the organization, skills/qualities they seek in candidates, etc.

Practice introducing yourself by saying your name, major, and class year. Also identify what type of job/internship you are interested in pursuing and why.

When it comes to describing your skills and experiences, you can pull from jobs, internships, courses/projects, club/organization involvement, volunteering, etc.

When entering a one-on-one session during the virtual fair, be sure to put your contact information in the chat and ask the representative for his/her information to allow for follow up or alternate contact methods if you experience technical issues.

Visit all the tables at the in-person fair and register for multiple sessions (group or one-on-one) during the virtual fair to explore different organizations, industries, and position types.

Connecting with as many employers as possible also allows you to get comfortable talking about yourself and builds your network with various contacts.

First impressions are lasting impressions. Examples of professional dress include: suit, tie, button-down shirt, dress shoes, skirts/nice tops, dresses with a blazer. Even at a virtual event, professionalism is expected and that includes how you dress.

For both fairs, have your list of questions ready and take notes. Have your resume, link to your LinkedIn profile, etc. ready for easy sharing.

For the virtual fair:

1. Ensure your camera and microphone are on when joining sessions, so the representative automatically sees you are there.

2. Be sure to look straight at the camera to make eye contact with the representative.

3. Be careful of shirts with patterns or designs as they can be distracting on camera.

4. Be sure to smile and nod your head to show you are listening.

Ensure you have contact information for the representative and send a thank-you note/email within 48 hours of the fair.

Send LinkedIn connection requests to the representatives you meet and apply to open positions on Handshake.

Check your internet connection (if possible, use the ethernet rather than Wifi) and microphone/video settings (make sure your browser allows pop-ups and has permission to connect to your camera and microphone) ahead of time to make sure you can connect successfully. It is strongly recommended to use Chrome as your internet browser.

Find a quiet, distraction free space. If in your room, make sure it is clean and you don’t have any distracting backgrounds.

Inform your roommates of when you will be in the session so they don’t interrupt you or cause background noise.