Trainer's Tips #3 -- The Career Fair Game Plan

In my previous blog post, I noted that Career Fairs offer a plethora of opportunities for career planning in addition the opportunity to inquire about available positions. Employers travel lengthy distances and spend their time to come see and speak with you, so you should follow these steps to make the most out of the experience.  A little preparation allows you to spend less time hearing an overview of the organization, giving you more time to get detailed important information which may aid you in your application with the organization.

BEFORE THE FAIR

Make certain that you have prepared several copies of your resume so that you may distribute them to employers on the day of the event. 

You can see what companies are coming to the fair by RSVP-ing for the event on our Online Job Board: https://captechu-csm.symplicity.com/

Try not to submit the same resume to every company. Adjust your resume to match the skills that they are seeking. It is important to think about what it is that you want to say to employers when first meeting. We suggest practicing a 20-30 second introduction to tell employers who you are and what you are looking for.

Research the company and have some questions prepared to ask the employers before you meet with them. The more thought put into your questions, the more you stand out.

Also, bring a list of jobs you for which you have already applied or may be interested in applying.  That may one of the first questions the recruiter will ask.

Pull out your appropriate attire/outfit a few days before and check to make sure it is clean, pressed, and there are no loose hanging strings or missing buttons.  If you do not have an iron, one trick I use is to hang my suit in the bathroom while I shower; the heat from the shower will act as a steam presser. Just make sure it has a chance to dry before you wear it.

The day of the event, practice proper hygiene. Wear deodorant, brush your teeth and use mouthwash, and do not eat anything that has a strong odor. Food will not be served at the event, so make sure to eat a balanced hearty breakfast.  It may be a good idea to bring mints with you (although we will have a bowl of mints for you at the event).

DURING THE FAIR

On the day of the fair be very mindful of how you present yourself. Keep in mind that the career fair is for you to network with future employers so don’t look at it as a social get-together. Remember to be engaging, speak clearly, as well as have an open mind and a good handshake; all of these factors together add up.

While waiting in line to speak with the recruiter, wait patiently and quietly. If possible, look at the materials that are on the table.  Hopefully, if you followed the advice about preparing for the fair, you would have researched the company in advance, planned a brief personal introduction, have a few questions ready. The last thing you want to do is walk up to a table and ask them who they are and what they do.

You will receive a program with a map and a list of the registered employers. Take some time to identify which companies you would like to speak with. There are only 3 hours, so use your time wisely. Also do not limit yourself with only speaking to the employers whose company names you recognize, there will be some smaller companies at the fair that have great opportunities as well.

Also, ask if they have a business card so you can stay in touch.

AFTER THE FAIR

If you received any sort of contact information from the employers, be sure to follow up with them after the fair by sending an email, a thank-you note, and/or connect with them on LinkedIn. Be sure to remind the employer that you met at the Capitol Technology University’s Career Fair, reiterate your interest in the company, and remind them you’d be available for an interview. Lastly, always remember to thank them for their time and for speaking with you. 

If you did learn of any positions that you are interested in applying for, I would suggest applying as soon as possible while you are still fresh on the recruiter’s mind.

KNOCK 'EM OUT

If you followed the steps in this article, you surely expanded your professional network and made a great impression on several employers. You’ve gained the basic skills required for a successful job search, and you are on the right path to locating and securing a job or internship.

By Sarah Alspaw, Assistant Director of Career Services and Graduate Student Support