Before the Fair
- Revise your resume - have at least two other people proofread it for grammar and spelling errors.
- Make sure all the information is current and up-to-date.
- Check which employers (hyperlink to list of employers) will attend and research the employers that interest you - check their web-sites, read news reports and press releases.
- Prepare questions (hyperlink to a list of Questions) to ask the employers at the fair - questions that show off your research. However, avoid questions that are obvious. Recruiters appreciate questions that add value to their time (such as, who are your competitors and what's your company culture like.)
- Develop a strategy. Decide what you want to get out of the fair. Do you wish to learn about different employers/industries, or apply for a specific job, co-op or internship or both? Plan accordingly.
- Practice your presentation and your handshake.
Presentation - Create a short introduction (approximately 1 minute) that summarizes who you are, your experience and skills. Have a firm handshake and maintain good eye contact throughout you visit. Deliver your resume upon closing.
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At the Fair
Generally, the appropriate attire for the employer fair attendees may be a little more relaxed if you are gathering information. If you are seeking full-time, part-time, co-op or internship employment, professional attire is appropriate. In most cases, "business casual" is the norm. Think of it as a dress rehearsal for your real interviews!
- Remember to bring copies of your resume (or resumes, if you have various versions tailored to different career choices), a couple of pens and portfolio. Keep track of the recruiters with whom you speak and send follow-up notes to individuals who interest you. Leave your backpack in the Career Center; it can be cumbersome and it gets in the way of others. A backpack screams "student!" instead of "candidate!"
- Keep your eyes and ears open--there's nothing wrong with subtly eavesdropping on the questions asked and answers received by your previous employer fair attendees. You might pick up some valuable information, in addition to witnessing some real-life career search "dos and don'ts."
- Maximize your employer fair experience. Depending on where you are in your job search, gather company literature and ask employer representatives meaningful questions.
Here's a great bit of employer fair advice from Stanford University's Career Fair '99 guide:
"Create a one-minute 'commercial' as a way to sell yourself to an employer. This is a great way to introduce yourself. The goal is to connect your background to the organization's need. In one minute or less, you need to introduce yourself, demonstrate your knowledge of the company, express enthusiasm and interest and relate your background to the company's need".
The questions you ask at the Employer Fair depend upon your goals. Are you interested in finding out about a particular career field? Then ask general questions about working within the industry. If you're seeking career opportunities with a specific employer, focus your questions on the application and interview process, and ask for specific information about that employer.
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Fair Etiquette
- Don't interrupt the employer representatives or your fellow job seekers. If someone else is monopolizing the employer's time, try to make eye contact with the representative to let him/her know that you're interested in speaking. Wait a few minutes and if the conversation continues, move to the next exhibit and plan to come back later.
- If you have a strong interest in an employer, find out the procedures required to secure an interview. A Career Fair can be used to pre-screen applicants for interviews to be conducted later (either on campus or at the employer's site).
- Sincerity always wins. Virtually all employers are looking for candidates with good communication skills.
- Don't just drop your resume on the employers' display tables. Try to place it in a person's hands and carry on a discussion. If the scene is too busy and if you are not able to talk to the representative, jot a note on your resume to the effect of, "You were so busy that we didn't get a chance to meet. I'm very interested in talking to you." Look around the display for the recruiter's business card (or at the very least, write down his or her name and pick up literature with the employer's address). Plan to send a follow-up note and another copy of your resume.
- If you know ahead of time that one of your "dream employers" is attending a career fair, do prior research (at minimum, visit their Web site). Advance preparation goes a long way and can make you stand out among the masses of other attendees.
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After the Fair
- Organize the brochures and business cards you've gathered and make notes on the employers you have visited.
- Follow up with a personalized note - thank the recruiter for his/her time and mention you hope to hear from them soon. If they said it was appropriate, call them within a week and thank them personally.
- Keep time open in the following weeks for interviews.
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