Prepare for the FairHow to Make a Career Fair Work for You

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Presented by Clark University Career Services

What is a Career Fair?

• Career fairs are face-to-face meetings between jobseekers and employers. • Fairs provide opportunities to speak with company recruiters,

submit resumes, or simply gather information about career opportunities. • It is also a chance to grow your network of career contacts.• Two-thirds of all people get their jobs using informal search methods

such as networking with people and making direct contact with an employer! (careerchallenge.com)

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Benefits of Attending a Career Fair

• Learn about the variety of positions available in a particular career field.• Talk to someone currently

working in your field of interest.• Learn about internship and/or

employment opportunities• Establish employment contacts. • Practice interacting with

employers.

Tips and Strategies:

Before the Career Fair

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Research Participating Employers

• Look at the list of companies that will be in attendance. • Research those that sound

interesting by reading their website and talking to anyone you know who works or interns there. • Jot down some informed questions

to ask the company representative based on what you learn.

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Prepare a Resume

• Develop a polished, professional-looking resume and have it ready to present to employers.• Bring to the fair several copies of your

resume printed on high quality paper.• Career Services will help you write your

resume and will critique your drafts. You may bring it in any afternoon during drop-in hours (Mon. – Fri. 12 to 4 p.m.).• Use this link to get started on creating your resume!

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Prepare for a Positive First Impression!

• Dress appropriately. • Shake hands firmly and

maintain good eye contact. • Be positive and enthusiastic.

Show that you are interested in what the recruiter says.• Wait until you are leaving the

table to take the “freebies” offered.

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HELLO

my name is

Lasting First

Impression

Plan Your Attire

“Business casual” attire is expected at an on-campus fair; for other fairs, a suit may be necessary. If in doubt about what to wear, opt for more dressed-up rather than less.

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Master the Business Handshake

• First impressions are critical and employers may make assumptions about your professionalism based on your handshake.• Your handshake should be firm – not weak but not too strong!

• Practice shaking hands with friends and ask for their feedback. LEEP Center staff are also happy to assist.

Practice Introducing Yourself

• Be prepared to present a 30 second commercial about yourself indicating your year in school, your major, your area of interest, and the type of position you are seeking (full-time entry level, internship, summer).• Ex: “Hello, my name is ______. I am a senior at Clark, finishing

up my degree in Psychology and Gender Studies. I’m interested in beginning a career in human services and I read that your agency provides services to families in crisis. I’d like to learn more about the entry-level career opportunities you have available.” • Go on to speak about your particular experiences and

accomplishments relevant to the job.10

Prepare for Interviews

• Every time you speak with an employer, no matter how briefly, consider it an interview—demonstrate confidence, interest, and enthusiasm. • Try to anticipate the kinds of questions employers will ask you.• A common question is something like, “What are you here for today?”

• Tailor your answer to your interests and the company’s interests.• Prepare to ask the employer questions as well!

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• What coursework or fields of study do you look for in successful candidates?• Does your company hire on a continual basis or just at certain

times of the year?• Approximately how long does the hiring process take?• Are graduate degrees preferred? If so, in what areas?• Is there a G.P.A. requirement in the recruiting process? • What would your organization consider the most important

qualities in an employee?

Sample Questions to Ask Employers at a Career Fair

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• What personality traits are important for success in your company?• What opportunities are there for an entry level employee to

participate in professional development activities (e.g. trainings, conferences)?• How long have you been with this company? What made you

choose to work here?• For how many years does the entry-level employee typically

stay with your company?• How many employees work in X department?• Do you expect your employees to relocate or travel?

Sample Questions to Ask Employers at a Career Fair

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Tips and Strategies:

The Day of the Career Fair

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Arrive Early and Independently

• Arrive as early as possible to see those recruiters you expect will be busiest. • If you come late you may miss the

organizations you wanted to contact.• A professional image is easier to

maintain if you speak to employers alone.• Avoid traveling through the fair in a

group of friends.

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Maintain the Professionalism You Practiced

• Approach the recruiter with a smile and offer a hand when introducing yourself displaying a friendly, confident attitude. • Maintain professional space and behavior. • Avoid taking “freebies” until after your

conversation. • Hand the recruiter a copy of your resume

and expand on it quickly with your “commercial.” • Speak naturally; avoid presenting your

introduction as a speech. 16

Prepare to Follow-up

• After a brief discussion with the recruiter, collect the organizational literature and the recruiter’s business card. • Ask about the next step in the recruiting

process or the preferred method of follow-up. • Immediately after leaving the table, jot down

notes about your conversation as well as names of contacts you spoke with who may not have had a business card. • This will help remind you of information to

reference in a thank you letter.17

Tips and Strategies:

After the Career Fair

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Follow-up with Contacts

• Once you’re home, you should begin preparing thank you notes!• In the letter, thank the recruiter for his/her

time, restate your interest and qualifications for the position, recall something that you discussed, express your interest in a second interview, and indicate when you will follow up. • Send your thank you notes by the next day. • Following-up via email is okay as long as

you keep the letter professional. 19

Improve Your Resume

• Use what you learned at the fair to improve your resume. • Add qualifications or

details that best illustrate your fit for that industry or position.

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Remember the Career Fair FIVES(adapted from JobWeb.com)

Five things to TAKE TO a Career Fair1. Copies of your resume,

notepaper, and a pen.2. A smile, a strong handshake,

and a positive attitude.3. A 30-60 second “commercial”. 4. Information about the

organizations that will be attending.

5. Energy and enthusiasm!

Five things to TAKE AWAY from a Career Fair1. Business cards from the

recruiters you have met. 2. Notes about contacts you

made. 3. Organization information. 4. A better sense of your career

options. 5. Self-confidence in interacting

with company representatives.

Questions? Contact Career Services at: 508-793-7258

Or come to drop-in hours: Monday through Friday 12 – 4 p.m. in the

LEEP Center at Dana Commons