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Get the Most Out of Career Fairs

As graduation approaches, a new crop of young adults are poised to enter the work force.  Career fairs aren’t just for them though.  Here are tips to make the most of those fairs.

Tip:  Don’t Forget Your Resume.  Make sure you have a number of copies that look professional to hand to potential employers.

Tip: Allow Yourself Enough Time.  Some of these fairs can have hundreds of employment opportunities, so they can get time consuming.  Typically, fairs are less crowded in early hours and are busiest during the lunch hour and at the end, so try to be there early.  You can always leave and come back if you feel you need a break. 

Tip: Get the lay of the land.  You don’t have to dive into meeting potential employers right away.  Take a lap and get a feel for what’s going on, review a map and find where you want to get to most.

Tip: Be flexible. The fair web directory provides a brief summary of employers' opportunities and may not have been submitted by the same people who come to the fair.  Some positions may no longer be available and other openings may have just emerged.  No single employer representative is knowledgeable about all positions available, especially in a large organization.  Some reps attending fairs are there to share their experiences working at the organization and may not be involved in the hiring process. If the employer rep at the fair does not know specifically about jobs/internships of interest to you, ask for the name of someone who can help you.

Tip: Take notes when you inquire about next steps and the possibility of talking with additional managers. The representative at the fair may not be able to answer all of your questions or know specifics about your job interests. Write down the names, telephone numbers, etc. of other staff in the organization whom you can contact later.

Tip: Dress appropriately. First impressions are important. While campus attire is acceptable for fairs, you will probably be most comfortable if you at least dress in "business casual."

Source: career.berkeley.edu