Career fairs are a great way to network and meet many different employers in a very short amount of time. 聽However, they can feel a bit overwhelming and exhausting especially if you鈥檝e never been to one or have been out of the job search world for a while.聽聽
What to Do at a Career Fair
Here are a few tips that will prepare you to walk into a career fair feeling confident in yourself and ready to meet your future employer.
Plan ahead
Career fair organizers will usually post a list of participating employers on their website so you know who you can expect to see. 聽Take the opportunity to research each company, even if it鈥檚 not one you鈥檝e been considering for a career opportunity. This will give you time to prioritize which organizations you really want to talk with at the fair.
Pro tip: Create a spreadsheet with the name of each employer you want to speak with, along with a box to check when you鈥檝e visited their booth and another box to check if you left your resume or want to follow-up with that organization. 聽This will help you stay organized and feel less overwhelmed at the fair, ensuring you don鈥檛 miss an employer you鈥檇 like to talk with.
Update your resume
Plan on distributing your resume to a lot of different employers at the career fair! 聽Take the time to update your resume with any recent experiences or accomplishments, and have several people proof-read it for you.
Once you鈥檙e sure your resume is ready, print it out on resume paper if you can or consider going to a local print shop to have it printed on a quality printer. 聽Store your resumes and the priority employer list you created in a portfolio with a pen and clean notepaper inside. That way you鈥檒l have it all available at your fingertips.
Pro tip: Our Career Services here at 猫咪社区 is here to help you refresh your resume with a new layout, and bring your skills and experiences to life with engaging text. Contact聽Career Services, anytime for assistance.
Dress for the job you want
When thinking about what to wear to a career fair, it鈥檚 important to remember that the way you present yourself at a career fair should be the same way you present at a job interview. 聽First impressions are important. If you attend a career fair in your gym clothes or uniform from the job you just came from, employers will not take you seriously. Then the conversation is already off to a bad start.
Career fairs are often held during the day, and that can mean you have to squeeze it in between classes or another job. 聽A couple of days before the fair, pick out the outfit you want to wear. Choose something simple, professional-looking, and easy to wear.
Pro tip: Try to pick pants and a top that are wrinkle-resistant, that way if you have to change between classes or jobs, you don鈥檛 have to worry about ruining your outfit in a bag.
Give yourself plenty of time
Easier said than done sometimes, but you want to avoid being in a rush when you attend a career fair. 聽You never know who you鈥檒l meet and how long conversations might go. If the fair is busy, you may end up waiting around for a specific employer to be available to talk with you. 聽See if you can adjust your schedule so you have a good amount of time to spend at the fair and really make the most out of it.
When you get to the fair, be sure to get a map of the employer layout and cross-reference it with your list of priority contacts. 聽Circle the employers on the map that match your list and plan your route so you鈥檙e not walking back and forth trying to locate specific booths.
Pro tip: A day or two before the career fair, do a quick drive-by of the facility where the fair will be held. 聽Get an idea of the parking situation and where you鈥檒l be going for the fair itself. Sometimes career fairs are held in large arenas in city centers. If you鈥檙e not familiar with the city, you may find yourself overwhelmed and frustrated trying to find parking during a large event. This can cut down on the time you have left to actually attend the fair.
Be ready to talk about yourself
This can be the most difficult part of a career fair for job seekers.聽 A lot of people have a tough time talking about themselves, and it can be difficult to put together your passion, experience, and drive for working in an industry into a thirty-second “elevator” pitch. 聽However, if you take the chance to write it out ahead of time and practice it in front of a mirror, you鈥檒l feel more confident when you introduce yourself.
Not sure what your pitch should consist of? 聽Remember that it should be short and give an idea of your experience and where you鈥檇 like to go. 聽For example: 鈥淢y name is Susan, and I鈥檓 currently working as an Environmental Specialist while completing my SMBA in Climate-Ready Business. 聽I enjoy working with various non-profit organizations to educate different groups of people about obstacles facing our environment. I hope to serve in an organization that strives for education and awareness of our planet鈥檚 resources while implementing initiatives to support sustainability efforts in businesses and organizations.鈥�
Pro tip: A week before the career fair, write out your thirty-second pitch on an index card. 聽Put it in your wallet or purse and practice it every day until the fair. Ask family and friends if you can practice in front of them as well.
Collect business cards
Be sure to collect a business card or other form of contact from employers you鈥檇 like to follow-up with. 聽Remember, you鈥檙e treating this like a job interview so you鈥檒l want to send a follow-up thank you note to employers you had a good connection with. 聽If the person you spoke with mentioned putting you in touch with someone specific in their office, be sure to mention that in your thank you note as well.
Pro tip: Consider bringing a professional bag such as a laptop tote or messenger bag with you to the career fair. 聽You may find yourself collecting materials or giveaway items from booths with nowhere to put them only to be juggling things around when you鈥檙e trying to shake hands and talk with employers. 聽Having a professional-looking bag handy gives you a spot to store things that you can organize later.
Making the Most of a Career Fair
Making the most of a career fair comes down to preparation, confidence, and follow-through. By knowing what to do at a career fair鈥攂efore, during, and after the event鈥攜ou鈥檒l set yourself apart from other candidates and make meaningful connections with potential employers. Whether you’re exploring career options or actively job hunting, each interaction is an opportunity to learn, grow, and move closer to your goals. Again, if you鈥檙e a current student or graduate of 猫咪社区, don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out to our Career Support for guidance in this important journey.
