Before the Career Fair
Wear professional attire!
WHY? Do not offend an employer by not dressing professionally or not treating the career fair networking as a first-round interview. If you wouldn't wear jeans or other relaxed clothing to an interview with the president of the company, do not do so for the career fair either!
For men, this means a conservative shirt and tie, polished shoes, styled hair, and removal of distracting jewelry.
For women, this means a conservative suit (pants or skirt), shoes and pantyhose, styled hair, and removal of distracting jewelry.
WHY? This will allow employers to contact you in advance for interviews on day 2 of the Career Fair.
Obtain a list of employers attending the event.
WHY? Researching the employers that most interest you will help you make a stronger impression.
Research the employers that might be of interest to you and gather basic information about the company (size, locations, hierarchy, and their products).
WHY? This will allow you to better understand what your place with the employer could potentially be.
Be prepared to ask questions of the company representative, their position, and the company in general.
WHY? This will enrich your knowledge of the company and help you decide if you want to continue pursuing their opportunities.
Try to identify specific experiences where you have demonstrated your strengths and skills.
WHY? Employers want to know the attributes you will bring to the position and company.
Be able to express why you want to work for their company.
WHY? Employers will be meeting many students and will need to know why you are the stand-out candidate they should hire.
Develop a strong resume/vitae/portfolio and bring several copies for distribution.
WHY? This will showcase your talents and past experiences, while giving employers something to remember you by.
Consider a mock interview if it has been a while since you have been interviewing.
WHY? Communication and interviewing skills are important and need to be fine-tuned from time to time.
Remember to pack a pen and paper for jotting down notes, contact information, and other vital details.
WHY? Keeping track of details is important, especially regarding the follow-up process with employers you will be meeting at the career fair.
