First Career Fair Experience
Start writing a post
Adulting

First Career Fair Experience

As a senior in college the pressure is on to find a job by the time you graduate. Here are my thoughts on my first career fair on what went well, and what I wish I had done differently.

56
First Career Fair Experience

So in June of this year I knew that the career fair could make or break my possibility of getting a job after college. Some people I know have jobs already lined up because of internships they had, and I felt pressure to get the ball rolling. The most important thing to do while prepping for any career fair is to update your resume and make it look as professional as you can. It took four drafts before I finally got the perfect resume.

If your campus has career services you need to go there ASAP.

I went to career services countless times before going to the career fair for both resume critique as well as tips and tricks for the career fair. They are there to help you and make sure to set you up for success after graduation. They are honestly the first people you should go to when you start looking for jobs or internships. The offices also normally have information on the things you should and shouldn't do after a career fair! I left the career services office with multiple booklets and flyers on what to do for career fairs, resumes, cover letters, thank you notes, and LOTS more.

Don't let negative self talk get in the way of you finding a job outside of college

When you go in make sure to remind yourself that you are qualified. I was so nervous because I felt like I didn't belong at the career fair. You are qualified, and if you have confidence or can at least fake confidence you'll have fun. Dress for success. Wear business professional clothes so that you can feel confident walking up to some of these booths! Toward the end of the career fair I hit a stride and felt great about where I was at. I actually HAD confidence and was having FUN!

Have a battle plan, research the companies that will be going to the career fair and make sure to stop by and talk to them if you're interested.

I had a few companies that I hadn't considered reach out to me before the career fair and I ended up loving the people I talked to. Also, if you have applied for jobs at a company attending the career fair you NEED to visit them. Bring up that you applied and that you are very interested in working for them. They love to hear it. I did extensive research on a company and I was able to learn more than surface level! I had a list of 15 company booths that I wanted to talk to and I ended up talking to 20 company booths.

This may seem extra but if you can get your hands on some business cards of your own you'll impress those around you.

Personally, I didn't have any but a girl that I was talking to a recruiter with whipped out a business card and I was shocked. I hadn't even thought about making or bringing business cards! This obviously isn't a must have or else you wont get a job, but I was very impressed with the person who had it. You DEFINITELY should get a portfolio to put your resumes in as well as the flyers/ business cards you receive from potential employers. I don't know what I would have done without mine. Actually, I probably would've looked like a mess. I got so many flyers it was a little overwhelming


Be prepared for them to want YOU to ask THEM questions! I searched a lot of different websites and ended up asking questions based off of the ones I found.

The most helpful questions I found are linked here and here


Most importantly, be yourself. Yes, you want to impress employers but you also want to find people that you will be working with in the future. Be who you to figure out where you're supposed to be once graduation hits in May.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

No Sex And Upstate New York

A modern-day reincarnation of Carrie Bradshaw's classic column

427
Pinterest

Around the age of 12, when I was deciding whether or not to be gay, Satan appeared on my left shoulder. “Ramsssey,” he said with that telltale lisp. “Come over to our side. We have crazy partiessss.” He made a strong case, bouncing up and down on my shoulder with six-pack abs and form-fitting Calvin Kleins. An angel popped up on the other shoulder and was going to warn me about something, but Satan interrupted- “Shut up, you crusty-ass bitch!’ The angel was pretty crusty. She disappeared, and from that moment forward I was gay.

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

To The Classes That Follow

I want you to want to make the most of the years that are prior to Senior year

1405
To The Classes That Follow
Senior Year Is Here And I Am So Not Ready For It

I was you not that long ago. I was once an eager freshman, a searching sophomore, and a know-it-all junior. Now? Now I am a risk taker. Not the type that gets you in trouble with your parents, but the type that changes your future. Senior year is exciting. A lot of awesome things come along with being the top-dog of the school, but you, right now, are building the foundation for the next 4 years that you will spend in high school. I know you've heard it all. "Get involved", "You'll regret not going to prom", "You're going to miss this". As redundant as these seem, they're true. Although I am just at the beginning of my senior year, I am realizing how many lasts I am encountering.

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

The Power Of Prayer Saved My Best Friend's Life

At the end of the day, there is something out there bigger than all of us, and to me, that is the power of prayer.

2685
Julie Derrer

Imagine this:

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

Why Driving Drives Me Crazy

the highways are home

2107

With Halloween quickly approaching, I have been talking to coworkers about what scares us. There are always the obvious things like clowns, spiders, heights, etc. But me? There are a number things I don't like: trusting strangers, being yelled at, being in life or death situations, parallel parking. All of these are included when you get behind the wheel of a car.

Keep Reading... Show less
Baseball Spring Training Is A Blast In Arizona
Patricia Vicente

Nothing gets me more pumped up than the nice weather and the sights and sounds of the baseball season quickly approaching.

Keep Reading... Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments