Written By Maithily Sanjay Pande
Career Fairs are a great way to network and learn more about companies, opportunities and jobs/internships. Try and attend one every chance you get and make the most of the experience. Career Fairs are can be quite crowded, and you may find yourself waiting in line in order to speak with representatives of your targeted employer. This is why it is so important to prepare ahead of time.
Here are some tips that you may find useful:
Things to take along:
- Resume copies (at least 15)
- Padfolio/Folder
- Pen
- Student ID Card
- Business Card (if applicable)
Dress appropriately:
First impressions are important. While campus attire is acceptable for fairs, it is highly recommended that you at least dress in “Business casual” attire. Take time to try on a few items from your closet and plan what you will wear. Business attire is suggested for career fairs as well (i.e., full suit).
Allow yourself adequate time:
Come as early as possible. Typically, fairs are busiest during the lunch hour. Fairs close promptly at publicized ending times to accommodate employer’s travel arrangements. Depending on the day, you may find yourself enter and leaving the career fair multiple times.
Get your bearings:
When you arrive, take a few minutes to review the career fair map and directory. You may feel more comfortable if you quickly locate and walk by the employers in whom you’re most interested. This will confirm their location and alert you to any crowds or lines of other students waiting. Sometimes you can reserve your spot and avoid the long lines through your phone by installing the Career Fair Plus app.
Prioritize:
Make a list of the companies that are a top priority to visit. Stop by other companies if time permits. If your schedule allows, you may find it easiest to start with the employers in which you’re less interested. This will allow you to hone your approach and to be most confident when you approach the employers you are especially excited about. Please be aware though that time is limited and and many other students might be interested in the same employers. Assume that you will need to wait to speak with some employers.
Introduce yourself:
Extend your hand and say “hello” and state your name. Welcome the representatives to UCI. The career pitch is a quick synopsis (20-30 seconds) of your background and experiences. Be ready to talk about your career interests as well as academic and extracurricular experiences to show your skills and strengths. Offer a copy of your resume and business card, if you have one.
Develop and practice a self-introduction:
- Who am I? (e.g. name, university, class standing, major)
- What am I seeking? (e.g., job or internship, exposure to a certain field, learn about an industry)
- What can I offer? (e.g., highlight relevant experience, skills, achievements)
- What is my objective? (e.g., learn about opportunities in a certain field, start a conversation, make a connection) *Perhaps end with a question*
Ask Questions:
When recruiter asks. “Do you have any questions?”, it’s important to have a few ready. It shows you’re interested in the company and serious about your career plans. Concentrate on getting information that will help you make a career decision compatible with your expectations. Tailor the questions you ask to your career interests and goals. Do not ask questions just for the sake of asking questions. Make sure it is information that you need. Also, try to avoid asking questions that are answered in the company’s annual report or employment brochure. The questions you ask can sometimes inform the recruiters how much preparation was done by the applicant/student.
P.S. When all else fails and you can’t remember what to ask, you can always ask the recruiter and representative about them!
Take Notes:
When you inquire about next steps and the possibility of talking with additional managers, take notes. The representatives at the fair may not be able to answer all of your questions or know specifics about your job interests. Write down the contact information (e.g., names, telephone numbers, emails, etc.) of the other staff members in the organization whom you can contact later. Remember to note specific employer information sessions, on-campus interviewing, and projected hiring dates. You will not be able to take advantage of any of this information if you are unable to remember it.
Ask the representative for his/her business card:
Asking for the business card of the representative you have just spoken with serves three purposes. First, you have a direct contact with the organization, including the proper spelling of representative’s name, direct telephone line, etc. Second, it will allow you to send a brief thank-you note acknowledging their help and time.
Be courteous:
In addition to representing yourself, you also represent your department and the university. All of the organizations at the fair are there because of their interest in hiring UC Irvine students. Some representatives are UCI alumni. Demonstrate sensitivity to other students waiting to speak with employers by keeping your questions brief and offering to continue your conversation at a later time.
In Summary:
Before the Fair:
- Check the UCI Division of Career Pathways website to look at the dates in which the career fair will take place.
- Check UCI Handshake to see which companies are attending (log on to handshake, go to “Events” -> “Fair Search” -> Click on the fair you’re interested in -> Click “View all employers” -> Click on the organization’s name to find out even more information about the company)
- Research the companies and make a list of your target companies
- Create a list of questions you want to ask the company representatives
- Review and revise your resume. You can do this through the Division of Career Pathways’ drop in advising
- Rehearse your elevator pitch
At the Fair:
- Check in with the Division of Career Pathways staff.
- Review the map and locate your targeted companies.
- Approach representatives from your targeted companies. Smile, shake hands, and introduce yourself with your elevator pitch.
- Ask good questions that show you researched the company.
- Ask for the representative for a business card and/or leave your resume with them (if that is okay), shake their hand again, and smile (don’t focus on the giveaway items).
After the Fair:
- Organize all your notes, business cards, or company literature so that you can easily refer to the information.
- Follow any instruction you received from the employer.
- Follow up with the company reps by sending them a thank you email within 24 hours. You can thank them for their time, inquire about any items left unfinished, and ask any follow-up questions you may have.
- Prepare for any potential interviews
Career Fairs are only one job search strategy and you most likely will not find a job based solely on a career fair. Make sure to follow through with other strategies as well. See the Division of Career Pathways’ other resources, events, and programs for additional assistance.
Enjoy the fair and your interaction with the employers. Let your positive attitude show!
References
https://career.uci.edu/students/undergraduate/find-a-job/career-fairs/
http://career.uci.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/QT_PrepareForFair.pdf