Attending the upcoming Fall Career Fair 2024 on October 23 will give you the opportunity to meet directly with potential employers, many of whom may be actively hiring.

Speaking with an organization’s representatives gives you the chance to gather information about them, make connections with their employees, and share why you’re a great fit. Career fairs are networking events, and the connections you make can continue to pay off and yield long term benefits. Even if you’re not looking for a job right now, attending can have many benefits.

Join us at Best Practices for Creating a Resume that Stands Out (and Career Fair Tips!) on
October 9, 2024 @ 12:00 pm ET. And, remember that you can always make an appointment with a career advisor in our office to help prepare for the career fair too.

Get the most out of your career fair experience by taking these steps before, during, and after the event.

Before You Attend

Research employers and opportunities

Review the participating employers on Handshake and on our website and select the ones you want to visit. Visit the organizations’ websites to research and gather information on job opportunities. With this information, you can develop a career fair strategy and ask representatives insightful questions, the answers to which are not readily available online.

Create a personalized strategy

Limited time may prevent you from speaking to every employer. Allocate time wisely and prioritize preferred employers.

Prepare and print your resume

Develop or revise a resume that emphasizes your experience and transferable skills. Keep in mind the differences between a resume and a CV in terms of length and goals. Your resume should be no longer than two pages (one is ideal) and tailored to the specific types of job opportunities you’re interested in. Make sure it includes your contact information and print plenty of copies! To see samples, visit our Career Planning Guide.

Practice networking

Get ready to talk to employers! This is not a sit-down interview, but the conversation still requires you’re prepared. Have a 30- to 60-second elevator pitch that explains who you are, your skills/experiences, and what you’re looking for, and practice your responses to frequently asked interview questions. Equally important is to come up with your own short list of well researched questions to ask the employers. These will help sustain the conversation, prove you’ve done your homework, and ultimately make you more memorable.

At the Career Fair

Dress appropriately

Attendees of the Fall Career Fair 2024 should dress in business casual. Think button-downs, sweaters, blazers, slacks, or other formal tops and bottoms. You can find more specifics with visuals here.

Make a good first impression

When talking with representatives, remember to project confidence, enthusiasm, and a friendly attitude. Introduce yourself with a smile, eye contact and a firm handshake.

Follow your personalized strategy

Prioritize conversations with the employers who interest you the most. Express your enthusiasm for their organization and job/internship opportunities, and deliver your elevator pitch about your background. Ask questions and start a conversation. Your conversation may be shorter if there is a long line of students, or you might be part of a group conversation. Pay attention to the representative’s signals and, when they are about to end the conversation, present your resume (though don’t be surprised if they don’t collect them on site), ask for a business card (if they have one), and express appreciation for their time.

Network widely

Be willing and prepared to speak with other organization representatives as well—it’s good networking and interview practice, and you never know what might come out of a conversation with an employer. In fact, it’s often helpful to intentionally speak with one representative you do not believe you’re interested in. They may change your mind, or they may reassure you that you’re on the right path.

Take notes

If a representative doesn’t hand out business cards, write down the names and contact information of staff from the organization whom you can contact later. Jotting down notes from each conversation can help keep them distinct in your mind. These notes will also provide useful material for when you follow up later.

After You Leave

Send thank you notes

Send personalized thank you notes to each representative you met to thank them for their time. Try to reference a particular moment of your conversation in order to both help them remember you and show you are invested in continuing the dialogue. If you are particularly interested in the company, use a thank you note as an opportunity to reiterate your interest, relevant skills, and experience.

Connect with employers on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is often used for non-faculty career recruitment. Update your profile and ask to connect with the representatives you met at the career fair. Including a short and personalized message with your request is highly recommended, as it serves as a reminder of who you are and how you met.

Take action

If the representative gave you instructions about applying for a position or contacting another staff member, follow through in a timely manner.