Getting Ready Getting Ready for a Career Fairfor a Career Fair

Be a Good ScoutBe a Good Scout Know your employersKnow your employers.. Pick up a list of employers expected at the career fair Pick up a list of employers expected at the career fair

from your college career center and focus your research on the three or four that from your college career center and focus your research on the three or four that interest you most. Go to the fair knowing something about each of these companies. interest you most. Go to the fair knowing something about each of these companies. Good research will make every other tip in this article easier to accomplish.Good research will make every other tip in this article easier to accomplish.

Know what you wantKnow what you want.. What position or department are you interested in? You What position or department are you interested in? You can get this kind of information while doing your research. Saying, "I'll take anything," can get this kind of information while doing your research. Saying, "I'll take anything," or "I don't know," to a recruiter shows a lack of research.or "I don't know," to a recruiter shows a lack of research.

Dress the partDress the part.. Go dressed as if you were interviewing. This is your first Go dressed as if you were interviewing. This is your first impression on the employer—you want to look like a professional. Employers say a impression on the employer—you want to look like a professional. Employers say a common mistake students make is not being dressed professionally.common mistake students make is not being dressed professionally.

Pack your credentialsPack your credentials.. Be able to supply potential employers with: a cover letter, Be able to supply potential employers with: a cover letter, a scannable resume, reference letters, your professional portfolio, your transcript, and a scannable resume, reference letters, your professional portfolio, your transcript, and a completed job application (either a paper copy—or if the employer prefers, a completed job application (either a paper copy—or if the employer prefers, complete the application online ahead of time).complete the application online ahead of time).

Submit your ApplicationSubmit your ApplicationOn-Line in AdvanceOn-Line in Advance

Recent federal regulations require employers to track Recent federal regulations require employers to track every every applicant submitting a resume, in order to comply applicant submitting a resume, in order to comply with Affirmative Action requirements.with Affirmative Action requirements.

In many cases, recruiters will not be able to In many cases, recruiters will not be able to speak with speak with you you until you have submitted a resume on-line via their until you have submitted a resume on-line via their website.website.

Bottom Line: Select the employers you most wish to talk Bottom Line: Select the employers you most wish to talk with with in advance of in advance of the career fair. Go to their websites the career fair. Go to their websites and submit your application and submit your application before before you attend the fair.you attend the fair.

Mind Your MannersMind Your Manners Carry your credentials in a professional wayCarry your credentials in a professional way.. A neat folder is fine. A neat folder is fine.

A small briefcase works well too. Stow your coat, backpack, and other gear A small briefcase works well too. Stow your coat, backpack, and other gear in a cloakroom.in a cloakroom.

Come earlyCome early.. Don't arrive 30 minutes before the end of the day and expect Don't arrive 30 minutes before the end of the day and expect to talk to employers. Some will have planes to catch; others will be tired and to talk to employers. Some will have planes to catch; others will be tired and ready to wind up a long day of chatting with students. Come early while ready to wind up a long day of chatting with students. Come early while employers are fresh—and hit the booths of employers you are most employers are fresh—and hit the booths of employers you are most interested in working for first. interested in working for first.

Give them a strong handshake and a positive attitudeGive them a strong handshake and a positive attitude. Greet . Greet each employer with a smile and an enthusiastic 30-second sales pitch—each employer with a smile and an enthusiastic 30-second sales pitch—your name, your major, and your career interests as they relate to the target your name, your major, and your career interests as they relate to the target company.company.

Pick up the cardsPick up the cards. Collect business cards from recruiters you speak to. . Collect business cards from recruiters you speak to. Jot notes on the recruiter and the company on the back of the card. Use Jot notes on the recruiter and the company on the back of the card. Use those notes—and the information on the front of the card—to personalize those notes—and the information on the front of the card—to personalize your thank-you notes.your thank-you notes.

Ask for the next stepAsk for the next step. At the end of a conversation with a recruiter, ask . At the end of a conversation with a recruiter, ask what the next step is in the hiring process.what the next step is in the hiring process.

Proven Ways to Turn OffProven Ways to Turn Offthe Employerthe Employer

Cruise the fair for free pens and Cruise the fair for free pens and

give-aways.give-aways. Bring your knapsack.Bring your knapsack. Come dressed for soccer practice or a night at Come dressed for soccer practice or a night at

the bars.the bars. Require the employer to start the conversation.Require the employer to start the conversation. Show up fifteen minutes before the fair ends.Show up fifteen minutes before the fair ends. Catch up on FaceBook and texting while you Catch up on FaceBook and texting while you

walk the fair.walk the fair.

Follow UpFollow Up

Write a thank-you noteWrite a thank-you note.. Send a thank-you note to Send a thank-you note to every employer you speak to at the career fair. Some every employer you speak to at the career fair. Some employers prefer notes by mail; some are happy for an employers prefer notes by mail; some are happy for an e-mailed thank you—check with your career center for e-mailed thank you—check with your career center for advice on which type note to send.advice on which type note to send.

Complete any online applications requestedComplete any online applications requested. . Even if you've left a scannable resume behind, filling out Even if you've left a scannable resume behind, filling out an online application ensures that your data is in the an online application ensures that your data is in the employer's data base quickly and with the information employer's data base quickly and with the information you prefer.you prefer.

The One-Minute MiracleThe One-Minute Miracle

Follow the formula Name Name Class (senior, junior, sophomore) Class (senior, junior, sophomore) Major Major Opportunities that you are seeking Opportunities that you are seeking Relevant experience (work, internship, volunteer Relevant experience (work, internship, volunteer

work) work) Highlights of skills and strengths Highlights of skills and strengths Knowledge of the companyKnowledge of the company

Ask an Engaging QuestionAsk an Engaging Question

Things to consider:Things to consider:

Recent developments in products or serviceRecent developments in products or service

Recent changes in organization or cultureRecent changes in organization or culture

Announced plans for innovation or changeAnnounced plans for innovation or change

Things to avoid:Things to avoid:

Asking what the organization does; Asking what the organization does;

Asking if the organization has any jobs; Asking if the organization has any jobs;

When asked what type of position you are seeking, saying When asked what type of position you are seeking, saying you would be willing to do anything.you would be willing to do anything.

Practice to perfection

Don’t “wing it!”

Here’s an example:

Hello. My name is Kathy Thompson and I am a senior economics and finance major at the Barney School of Business. I noticed that on your corporate website, you have a variety of openings for investment and fund managers, and I’m interested in learning more. Last summer, I had an internship with Lincoln Financial Group and was able to participate in a number of investment projects. I developed a strong interest in the management of mutual funds, but I’m also interested in other investment instruments. I have been following your company’s expansion into the New England market in the Hartford Courant. Could you tell me more about how this is progressing?