Over the last year, I have had the opportunity to attend several campus career fairs. Booths and recruiters everywhere, piles of brochures and other information regarding each company, and swarms of students buzzing around looking for their first job or next internship. As a freshman in college, the experience was a bit intimidating. There I was staring at a map, wandering around the giant Iowa Memorial Union building searching for companies. As scary as the experience was that first time, I learned a lot and put some of those learnings to work the next time I attended a career fair. Here are 5 quick tips to help you get the most out of your next trip to a career fair.
1. Invest in a padfolio.
Many students attend the fair and carry their resumes in a folder. What you may not realize is that you will likely be leaving with lots of brochures and other handout materials from the recruiters you meet. A padfolio can hold a lot and comes in handy in a situation like this. If you’re a female, no need to bring the purse. The padfolio looks very professional and has room for everything you need.
2. Take time to do research on the companies attending.
If you can, research ahead of time the companies you are interested in. If you happen to know anyone at any of the companies, drop them a note and let them know you are attending the career fair. That could lead a to a helpful referral before or after the fair. Career fairs are huge and the time is limited. At the University of Iowa, for instance, career fairs last from 11am-3pm and most of the booth have long lines. Plan ahead. Be strategic and use your time wisely. Researching the companies ahead of time will ensure that you will make the best of your time. It also allows you to ask questions that are tailored to the companies you investigate.
3. Have a list of questions prepared.
Having questions prepared in advance will help avoid an awkward interaction with representatives. Good recruiter will ask you questions and many of them will be designed to get past your “marketing speak.” Approaching an employer is always nerve-racking, but being prepared and ready to talk will help ensure a quality conversation. Some questions I like to ask include:
- How long have you been working for (company name) and what do you do specifically?
- What do you like about working at (company name)?
- Where do you see yourself five years from now?
- Where is your company growing geographically?
- What kind of skill is highest in demand?
- What advice do you have for me as a college student? Where should I direct my study?
- What kind of internship opportunities do you have and do you have any advice on how to pursue them?
Personalizing the conversation and getting recruiters to talk about themselves and their feelings about working for the company can generate a very productive and positive conversation.
4. Bring plenty of copies of your résumé.
Some companies will take your résumé and others will not. It is always good to come prepared and offer a resume, if necessary. Make sure your résumé is updated and edited. I discuss how to create and update a résumé in my previous article “6 Tips to Building a Solid Résumé”.
5. Download your university career fair app (if available).
Many universities have career fair apps that include lots of details, including a list of companies and a map. If yours does, download it ahead of time and use it. These apps often enable you to make a “favorites” group for companies you would like to visit the most. The app will then star your favorite companies on the map to tell you where their booth is located. I found the app for Iowa’s career fair extremely helpful. It also helped ease my nerves a bit as I walked around the huge, buzzing fair.
Although career fairs can be overwhelming, they are an enormous opportunity to connect with potential future employers. Each company’s job is to convince you that they are a great place to work. Your job is to convince them that you are the talent they are looking for. Be prepared. Do your homework. Bring your questions, résumé, professionalism, confidence and a friendly smile to your next career fair.
Keep working, networking, and goal setting.
Happy fair season!
