How To Approach a Job Fair
DO YOUR RESEARCH!
1) Read through the Employers’ Descriptions
provided by the Fair Coordinators
2) Look up the companies you are interested in
through Library Resources or Internet websites
CLARIFY YOUR GOALS! WHY
ARE YOU ATTENDING THE FAIR?
1) Are you at the fair to network with
professionals?
2) Are you at the fair to land a job interview?
3) Are you at the fair to land an internship or
full time job?
PREPARE YOUR RESUME!
1) Have a clearly stated Job Objective on your
resume
2) Print 50-60+ copies of your resume on
professional resume paper
PREPARE YOUR
“COMMERCIAL”!
1) Greet the recruiter with a firm handshake,
state your name, major and year of graduation
2) Present your resume
3) State the reason why you are attending the
career fair
4) Display evidence of your knowledge about the
company—such as, products, research, etc.
5) Relate your skills and experiences with the
requirements of the position you are interested
in.
6) Rehearse your commercial with a friend or
advisor
7) You are your cover letter! Read through your
cover letter and use this to help prepare your
commercial.
YOUR APPEARANCE!
1) Dress as if you are going to a formal
interview-click
here for dress
MEN: Professional suit with coordinating
pressed shirt and coordinating tie
WOMEN: Professional suit with skirt below
the knee or pant suit, coordinating blouse,
nylons and polished shoes, few accessories, hair
pulled back
2) Think conservative
THE MAIN EVENT!
1) Greet the recruiter with a firm handshake and
address as Mr. Ms., Dr.
2) Launch your “commercial”
3) Be responsive to any questions posed by the
recruiter
4) Ask questions as needed. Base the questions
on research you have done on the company
5) Listen and pay attention to what the
recruiter tells you. This information may
benefit you greatly if you receive an interview
6) Ask the recruiter for his/her business card
7) Take materials to read from the table. Avoid
taking the “goodies” such as candy and
promotional items
8) Take notes immediately after your discussion
FOLLOW UP!
1) Based on your notes taken, follow “to the
letter” any directions the recruiter gives
2) Again, based on your notes, write a “Thank
You” Letter immediately. (within 2 days after
the fair)
3) Send a letter to every recruiter you spoke
with at the fair. The letters should include the
following:
a) date and location of fair
b) mention any “unusual or highly specific”
discussion you had. This will help the employer
remember you.
c) restate any important information you
discussed
d) reiterate your qualifications
e) include any information you failed to tell
the recruiter during the fair
f) of course, thank the recruiter for his/her
time and attention
g) you may include a copy of your resume even
though it was already given
4) Remember! Courtesy and professionalism are
appreciated and expected.
CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO
BRING!
1) Portfolio or large capacity folder to carry
resumes, work samples, pens, notepads, etc...
2) 50-60+ copies of your resume on professional
resume paper
3) A notepad and pen for taking notes after
meeting with each recruiter
4) 25 cents for a locker--to put backpack,
walkman, rollerblades and other belongings in
that are not needed for the fair (you get your
25 cents back, by the way)
ADDITIONAL
TIPS/SUGGESTIONS!
1) Show up early! Some employers pack up and
leave the fair shortly after the noon hour
2) Allow yourself, at-least, 2-3 hours to attend
the fair and speak with recruiters. Lines may be
long to speak with some recruiters, so be
prepared to wait
3) Perhaps a company (in which you are
interested in working) is at the fair, but has
not posted a job or internship related to your
area of interest. You may still approach the
recruiter, follow your commercial and then ask
the recruiter if he/she could provide you a name
of someone at the company that fits your
commercial. This is appropriate to do.
|
