How to "Work It" at a Career Fair

For my fellow K-Staters, the Agri-Industry Career Fair is in a few days. Career fairs can be intimidating. There are rows and rows of tables to navigate through crowds of students. How do you make yourself standout from the crowd to potential employers? K-State Career and Employment Services will give you this list of advice in a packet when you arrive at the career fairs, but check it out now so that you are prepared. Of course, all of this advice applies to other career fairs as well.

1. Know your job interests and your qualifications

Be able to express your qualifications - strengths, academic preparation, related experiences, and skills. For more information on how to best do this, check out my Elevator Pitch post. 

2. Have a well-written resume

This is key. If you want some resume-writing tips, check out my post On Resumes.

You may also want to have a business card with your name, degree, date of graduation, email address, and job objective.

3. Research companies in advance of the fair

There will be a lot of companies at the career fair. Too many to decide who you want to talk to after you arrive. Take the time to look over the list of companies who will be attending in advance, research those that interest you, and prioritize them so that you can better manage your time. In addition to your being able to better utilize your time at the career fair, the knowledge you gained while researching the companies will show potential employers that you are hard-working eager to work for them. 

4. Allow enough time and plan ahead

Realize that career fairs are typically held in large venues, they will be slow-moving crowds, and you will likely have to wait in line to speak to company representatives. Make sure you allot enough time in your schedule to account for all these factors. It's better to start earlier rather than later because you will be upset if you run out of time. Also, some companies may leave early if the weather is bad, they have a long drive back to their offices, or weren't having many students approach their table. 

When you first arrive and pick up your packet of information, find the map. Orientate yourself, and mark the location of the tables for the companies you want to visit with. 

5. Appearance counts - wear professional or business casual clothing

Dress like you would for an interview. Typically, people dress more nicely for an interview than they would for their job from day to day because they want to make the best impression possible for their interview. Think of this as a stepping stone to get an interview, so it just as important. 

Make sure you get a name tag at the registration table on your way in, too. 

6. Ask questions and listen

Find out what you can do to be considered, get more information, arrange an interview, or make an on-site visit. Reveal information in give and take fashion... this is an opportunity to identify employers' needs and the match of your skills.

Questions you may want to ask:

• What courses/major do I need to better prepare for a position in your organization? 
• What value do you place on GPAs? How important are extracurricular activities? 
• How beneficial/necessary is graduate work in this particular field/industry? 
• Describe your organization's training program. 
• What are the chief qualifications you seek in a first-year employee? 
• Does your organization hire _______ majors? What positions or division would they typically work in? 
• Do you offer internships or co-ops and if so, in what areas? 
• What do your interns or co-op students do? 

Make sure you ask for business cards or literature!

7. Record information in your notebook/padfolio

Take time between speaking to each potential employer to take notes on what you learned. Find a place that is out of the flow of traffic to do so - against a wall, for example. 

Oh, and heads up: You will feel silly if you have a notebook. I did at the first career fair I attended. Every student that is serious will have a padfolio. Get one.

8. Follow-up with a note

Show the company representatives you are interested by sending a follow-up note as soon as possible expressing interest. If there was a company's table that you didn't get to visit, then send them a note, too, with your resume included. Sending a note is a nice personal gesture, and it helps you stand out as a person so company representatives are more likely to remember you in the future.

I, personally, have experienced the benefits of sending a follow-up note. Company representatives may email you when they learn of a new job opportunity. Or, they may offer to schedule a phone call or meeting with you to discuss you employment options further.