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John Chambers College of
Business and Economics
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How to Work a Career Fair

What to do before, during and after career fairs to maximize your experience.

Having realistic expectations about a career fair is necessary for getting the most out of the event:

  • Employers expect you to be prepared (have a polished resume, dress professionally, research the companies in advance, etc.).
  • You have less than 60 seconds to make a positive first impression on the recruiter.
  • Your goal should be to secure an interview—not a job offer. Most recruiters are not prepared or even authorized to hire a candidate on-the-spot.
  • Don’t be alarmed if the recruiter recommends or even requires you to apply on their website. In some cases, they may not even take a paper copy of your resume. They are not blowing you off; it is simply their company’s policy.

Get organized. breath deeply. follow up.

 

BEFORE

  • Create an accurate and concise resume.
  • Get your resume reviewed by a career development specialist.
  • Identify the target employers that you know you want to visit, and research them.
  • Use a briefcase or binder to organize your resumes and cover letters—you will want to tailor them to specific companies that you know you want to consider.
  • Create a list of questions to ask employers.
  • Decide what you will wear at least a week in advance, so you will know if you need to go shopping or have something cleaned. 

DURING

  • Bring your student ID to check-in at the fair.
  • Plan your course of action by reviewing the map of employer locations.
  • Maintain your professionalism while walking through the aisles. Recruiters are forming their opinions before you arrive at their booth.
  • Be cognizant of the speed, tone, and volume of your speech.
  • Deliver your elevator pitch with confidence and offer a copy of your resume.
  • Thank the recruiter for their time.
  • Stay organized during the fair. Jot down recruiter names, impressions, follow-up instructions, etc.
  • Don’t collect more employer giveaways than you can hold in one hand.

AFTER

  • Give yourself the competitive edge by sending a thank you email that evening to the recruiters from your target companies.
  • Continue to nurture your network.
  • Comply with their application instructions.
  • Be persistent. Within a reasonable amount of time, it is okay to send an email or call to inquire about the status of your application.