TIPS ON ATTENDING A CAREER FAIR

Regardless of your major, year in college, or future goals, there are numerous benefits to attending a Career Fair. Some of the more common reasons are highlighted below:

• Increase your chances of receiving an interview with an employer.  Recruiters will be looking for those who make a good first impression to invite for interviews.
• Recruiters will also be looking to identify underclass students to track until graduation.
• Learn about internship possibilities.
• Expand your network of contacts.
• Investigate positions, occupations and/or career fields you could pursue with your specific major and background.
• Learn more about employers and their available positions.
• Receive sound job search advice from seasoned company recruiters.
• If you are considering graduate school, recruiters can help you better understand what graduate degrees they seek.

Having realistic expectations of a Career Fair is important in succeeding in your career search. The following list can be helpful to identify any misconceptions of a Career Fair:

• Employers expect students to be prepared (i.e. be professionally dressed and ask thoughtful questions); if you are job-seeking (as opposed to information gathering) a polished resume is recommended.
• Employers expect to interact with students seeking employment as well as those simply researching careers and employers.
• Most recruiters are not authorized to hire candidates on the day of the fair. With this in mind, your goal should be to land an interview - not a job offer.
• Attending a Career Fair for the first time can be a little overwhelming. However, if you have taken time to prepare for the fair, you will get as much out of the Career Fair event as you put into it.

1. Target your top companies
   
   
   Get a list of the companies/organizations who will be attending the career fair and plan your strategy for which companies you would like to visit. Take time to research the organizations in which you are most interested. However, give yourself time to meet with most of the employers who attend the fair. You will probably be surprised at the opportunities offered by employers that you don't know much about.
   
   
2. Prepare a Resume
   
   A well written, error free resume is encouraged. Make sure you have multiple copies of your resume on hand. If you are merely gathering information, it is not necessary to have a resume.
   
   
3. Create a List of Questions
   
   
   Create a list of questions that you would like to ask the employers.  Questions about career paths and job options within the organization are recommended.  Steer clear of questions about salary and benefits.
   
   
4. Learn to Sell Yourself
   
   
   Create a 60-second commercial & practice, practice, practice!
   Your commercial should include:
   • Introduction- Introduce yourself, offer a firm hand shake and a resume.
   • Objective- Tell the employer why you are there and what sort of employment you seek.
   • Brief summary of your education, experience, strengths, etc.
   • Reiterate your interest and thank the employer.

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