After we've only being at school for three weeks, the annual Fall Career Fair will take place at the Bryce Jordan Center from September 16-18. Three days of nonstop meet-and-greets, freshly-pressed suits, and resume-handouts for many possible future employers.
The recruiters come from all over the country in anticipation of finding some raw talent at the Pennsylvania State University. All students are welcome to come for the experience of being in a professional environment, but it’s going to be the juniors and seniors who benefit the most. You have a chance to come out of college with an actual job, as opposed to living at home with your student loans weighing on your shoulders. In preparation for the job/co-op/internship fair, there are plenty of tips available to help you make the very best impressions.
Starting right off the top, you need the appropriate attire for the occasion. You’re going to need to invest in a suit (ladies, you too) but pay close attention to the color. A charcoal gray or navy blue suit is formal, but doesn’t come off too strong. A black suit gives off the vibe that you already made it when you obviously haven’t. Jos. A. Banks and Men’s Wearhouse off of North Atherton always carry a large collection and have deals all the time. They say that if you look good, you feel good, so take the extra time to fully groom yourself before going to the fair.
What a lot of students don’t realize is how helpful Career Services can be. Located right next to the Health Center in the Bank of America building, Career Services offers counseling sessions where you can discuss your job options for your major, and you can also perform a mock interview and watch how you present yourself. They have many career workshops planned throughout the semester too, and I recommend going to at least a few. On their website, you can find a list of all the companies who will be attending this fall and get some background information on them. An easy talking point during your meet-and-greet is to discuss what you find interesting about their company in particular.
You absolutely need to take the time to fine-tune your resume before handing it out to recruiters. The activities and clubs you’re involved in, work experience, character qualities and unique skills you possess are all important attributes of a well-organized resume. I’m sure most people have constructed at least an outline of one at some point in college. Through many organizations on campus like Career Services, you can attend a resume workshop to get a much better idea of how you want yours to look. Also, having counselors and other professionals look over it before you head to the Career Fair wouldn’t hurt, either. This is your chance to market yourself to the world, and being Greek definitely helps you out. The leadership roles you can take on in your own fraternity or sorority, along with the IFC or Panhel, provide you with ample opportunities to pad your resume. A lot of the companies like to send recruiters who were former Penn State students, and, who knows? You may meet a recruiter who was in the same fraternity as you.
