At the Career Fair
1. Prioritize/Strategize
- Review the list of employers (At the career fair, you will receive a printed list that includes a short description of the organization.)
- To whom do you most want to speak? Plan to approach your top choices after you've spoken to a few other employers.
- Research on the run
- If you haven't already researched the organization, review the information the employers have with them today before approaching them.
- You can use the "hit and run" method - go by the table when someone else is talking to the employer, pick up some literature and approach them after you've reviewed it.
- Even better, try "working in pairs," - let a friend pick up the information for you allowing you to review it before approaching the employer.
2. Connecting with Employers
- First impressions count
- Check a mirror. No gum. Drink some water, grab a mint so that you will pass the "fresh test."
- Approach employers with a firm handshake. Remember to stand tall, make eye contact and smile.
- Be positive! Be confident!
- Emphasize your skills and personal qualities. Do not dwell on any qualifications the employer wants that you do not have.
- Be ready for a dialogue
- Know enough about the organization and career field to ask good questions.
- Be assertive
- Hand your resume to employers and ask for their business cards.
- Ask for an interview!
- Collect your thoughts
- Leave the area periodically. Write notes on the conversations you've had so far, decide who you'll approach next.
- Just gathering information?
- Ask employers for additional sources of information such as people, web sites, books and professional associations.
3. Need Help?
- Come to the career center.
- At the fair, look for a career development staff member at the career center.