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Events > Career Fairs > Preparing for a Career Fair
 Benefits of Attending:
- Learn about the variety of positions available to a college graduate.
- Talk to someone currently working in your field of interest.
- Obtain interview experience.
- Learn about internship and/or employment opportunities.
- Establish employment contacts.
- Discuss majors or minors of value or interest to organizations.
- Obtain referrals for job leads.
- Obtain employment.
Networking Tips:
The success of a career fair depends not as much upon the employers as it does upon YOU. Determine your goals for attending and set up a strategy to make the most of limited time.
Before the Fair:
- Decide if you want to learn about qualifications, internships, jobs, company information, or to make contacts.
- Review companies attending and select the top 5-10 to see first.
- Research websites for company information, trends and terminology.
- Bring your professional resume on quality paper (20-25 copies for a large fair).
- Be prepared to introduce yourself, highlighting relevant skills, accomplishments, interests.
For the Fair:
- Dress professionally in business attire for job seekers -- or neat casual for information seekers.
- Wear little or no cologne and discreet jewelry.
- Print name tags neatly to read easily, which could include your major.
- Be organized -- carry a portfolio or briefcase; don't dig in a backpack .
- Conduct yourself professionally everywhere -- you never know who is nearby.
Network Successfully:
- Offer your name and major and speak naturally.
- Use good eye contact, a strong handshake, and positive body language.
- Ask open-ended questions; avoid obvious or salary questions.
- Collect organizational literature and a business card.
- Ask the preferred way for you to follow up.
- Thank the recruiter by name (not first name).
After the Fair:
- Send thank you notes to employers of interest.
- Follow up with a letter or application and resume, mentioning you met their representative at the WMU Career Fair.
- File the literature you have collected for later use in application letters and interviews.
- Improve your resume if you learned something.
- Maintain contact with employers.
Make a Positive Impression:
Review and Relax--before you approach the recruiter:
- Mentally review key points about the company.
- Be clear about what you want to learn and what you want the recruiter to learn.
- Have a pen and pad to take note of information provided by the recruiter.
- Get a drink of water, freshen breath, or breathe deeply to calm nerves.
Maintain Professional Space and Behavior:
- Consider "personal space" -- Keep enough distance between you and the recruiter so others cannot walk between you and interrupt your conversation, but not too close for comfort.
- Begin discussion with a proper introduction -- Give your name and major before you ask questions or talk about your skills and interests.
- Speak naturally -- Treat this as a conversation where they can get to know YOU in just a few minutes. Do not speak too quickly or recite your personal commercial like a speech.
- Listen carefully to what is being asked -- Provide solid, honest answers to questions that the recruiter asks. Prepare questions which reflect some knowledge of the organization. Never confuse the company with one of its competitors.
- Maintain eye contact -- Practice maintaining eye contact. Offer your full attention and do not begin glancing at the recruiter's display, other candidates or "give aways".
- Display a motivated and enthusiastic attitude. Be prepared to discuss the specific skills you have to offer. Do not convey "I deserve a job" or "I'll do anything to get my foot in the door." You can ask for information on the company, job openings and benefits, but not salary. Focus should be on finding a match between your skills and their needs.
- Demonstrate courtesy -- Thank the recruiter for the time and ask for a business card so you can follow up with a thank you note.
Follow-up Goes Both Ways:
- Follow up by sending expected documents such as forms, transcripts or references--or keep in touch by letter, phone or email to reinforce your interest.
- Many employers will get back to you within two weeks, but it may be a month or more because of their travel.
Personal Commercial:
Spotlight your skills and accomplishments in less than a minute:
- A commercial is a 30-60 second sound bite describing something unique about a product, service or individual.
- It is a simple and easy-to-remember way to identify your strengths, abilities and background.
- Reflect confidence and competence by being honest and enthusiastic but do not exaggerate or inflate.
- Include 1) name, 2) education, 3) interests, 4) related abilities, 5) goal .
- Use in networking, career fairs, group meetings, cover letters, or at interviews in answer to the question "Tell me about yourself.
Examples:
Career Information/Job Qualifications:
Good morning. My name is Jason Walton, and I am a junior majoring in biomedical sciences. I am building laboratory and computer-related skills through my classes and have a strong interest in research. Can you tell me about qualifications for entry-level research positions and typical career paths, or who I could contact in your organization to learn more about experience I should be acquiring for this field?
Job Search:
My name is Jessica Sherman, I'm eager to use my nursing skills and ability to impact community health when I graduate in April. I have an educational background in nursing, and experience as a patient care assistant. I've created patient education modules and led sessions for members of the Student Nurses Association. I help train new patient care assistants and facilitate workshops for community teens. I want to apply my skills and experience in a hospital setting.
Networking/Contacts:
Hello, I am Jonathan Hill, and I will be completing a bachelor's degree in construction engineering in April. I have worked on a wide variety of construction projects involving scheduling and estimating, and I'm looking for a chance to apply my classroom and hands-on knowledge. I am hoping to learn what opportunities are available for candidates with my level of experience, and who I should communicate with in your organization regarding my interest.
Internship:
Good afternoon-my name is Suzanne Warner. I am a junior with a major in marketing, and I've had coursework in advertising, copy and layout. I have good teamwork skills and leadership abilities, and have been doing promotional work for my business fraternity. I have seen on your web page and in the career fair literature that you offer internships. I am very interested in an internship for this coming summer in advertising or promotion.
Questions to Ask:
The following is a guide for career and job fairs when you have a short amount of time to introduce yourself, learn what you want to know, and ask insightful questions. Some employer representatives have a formal approach, while others are more informal when meeting you. It is best to mirror the employer's style while maintaining professionalism and not becoming too casual. Here are some ways to begin a conversation, after you smile, shake hands and introduce yourself, when you are:
Seeking a Position or Internship:
- What are the key characteristics/skills that you look for in students applying for internships/entry-level positions?
- What types of projects are interns typically assigned to?
- For which positions do you typically hire new graduates?
- What is the best way for me to learn about current opportunities with your company?
Networking to Learn More about the Company:
- How would you describe the culture of your company?
- What methods of orientation or on-the-job training do you use?
- Are there opportunities for ongoing training at your organization?
- Are there specific career tracks within your company?
- How long have you been with __________ and what do you do there?
- What do you like most about working for _________________?
- For how many years does the typical employee stay with your company?
- What made you choose this company?
Finding Out about the Recruiting Process:
- Do you hire on a continual basis or just at certain times of year?
- How should I follow up if I'm interested in pursuing employment?
- How does your company make use of skills in ____________?
- Can you give me an address for the person I should talk with about __________, or can you forward my resume?
Planning Ahead to Acquire Industry Knowledge and Skills:
- What skills are most valued in your organization?
- Are graduate degrees important to advancing within your organization, and if so, which ones?
- Which courses or experiences do you suggest I acquire to become a successful candidate?
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