Your Roadmap to a Successful Career Fair
Welcome, aspiring interns/prospects and future industry leaders! If you’ve ever attended a career fair, you’re no stranger to the nerve-racking mix of anticipation, the mad scramble for free pens, and the crisis over whether your resume is actually, well, resume-worthy.
However, whether you're a first-time fair-goer or someone looking to up their game, I’m here to help you prepare, stand out, and make meaningful connections at your next career fair. As a person who’s been to countless fairs as a student attendee and as a recruiter, I’ve been there and I’m excited to share my insider tips for making the most of an event.
So, grab your notepad and pen, because it's time to turn your internship fair experience into a resounding success. Let's dive into my top tips for acing the internship fair and turning it into a stepping stone toward your dream career.
Preparation is Key
Before you step into the buzzing world of an internship or job fair, knowledge will be your superpower. The right preparation will help you feel and appear more confident. Here's how you can prep before the event.
Research The Companies Attending
Most career fairs will provide a list of attending companies beforehand, and taking the time to research them can make all the difference in your confidence and effectiveness at the event.
Let’s break it down into actionable steps:
Dive into the Company Story: Every company has its own unique tale, and it's a great place to start your research. Visit the "About Us" section on their website to uncover their culture and dynamics. This isn't just about impressing recruiters; it's about understanding if the company aligns with your values and aspirations. Plus, it's like a sneak peek into their world.
Understand the Industry & Pain Points: Companies exist to solve problems, plain and simple. Figure out what issues their target audience is grappling with and how the company's product or service comes to the rescue. This can help foster great talking points!
View Current Job Openings: Some career fair hosts require attending companies to have job openings available. Take advantage of this by checking out their job postings. It's a window into their expectations—what skills they're seeking, what responsibilities the role entails, and what qualifications they value. This information can help you tailor your pitch and questions.
Craft Smart Questions: Your time with company representatives will be limited, so aim for 1-2 impactful questions. Your research should guide you here. Think about inquiries that show you've done your homework and are genuinely interested. These questions will not only make you stand out but also give you material for follow-up emails.
Something I want to note here is that you don't need to become an expert on every company. Focus your research on your top choices, and make concise notes for the others. Companies don't expect you to know everything about them; they'll often provide you with a quick overview during the fair. So try not to stress too much if you don’t know everything.
Now that you've gained some company insights, the next crucial step is crafting or revising your elevator pitch—a topic we'll dive into shortly. With preparation on your side, you're well on your way to making the most of your internship or job fair experience.
Create or Revise Your Elevator Pitch
The challenging part of crafting a great elevator pitch is that you’re trying to give a ton of information in a very short amount of time. Remember, you want to shoot for 30 to 60 seconds of talking time. Additionally, your pitch should be clear, concise, and interesting. The goal of your elevator pitch should be to start a conversation, not just list your accomplishments.
Try ending your pitch with a question or talking point. Not sure what to ask? This is where those questions you gathered earlier come into play! An impactful question not only engages your listener but also positions you as a confident and active communicator.
Here’s a common elevator pitch template for college students:
Hello, my name is [input name], I’m a [input year] majoring in [input major] at [input college name]. As an aspiring [desired job role], I’m passionate about [input what about your field is interesting to you]. I’m a strong believer that [input an item that relates to your passions]. In my [input-related experience]. I’m very interested in learning about [input company item that interests you]. Could you tell me more about [input your question]?
Let’s see it in action (from the perspective of a sophomore marketing major seeking a role in PPC):
Hello, my name is Susan! I’m a sophomore at the University of Central Florida seeking a bachelor’s degree in marketing. As an aspiring digital marketer, I’m passionate about market research and omnichannel advertising. I’m a strong believer that insightful metrics and strong keywords are the cornerstone of effective pay-per-click-based campaigns. In my recent consumer behavior course, my team and I were part of a simulation where we were tasked with creating an ad campaign based on athletic women between the ages of 40 and 60. Based on our keyword research, our ad received over 600 impressions and gained 30 conversions over a period of 6 weeks. I’m very interested in continuing to expand my experience in PPC ads, could tell me more about how Google helps interns prepare for full-time positions?
Now that you have your elevator pitch ready, it’s time to practice and memorize it!
Try practicing in front of friends and colleagues, as well as in the mirror. You’ll want to sound clear and confident. Most importantly, remember to slow down and enunciate when speaking. I know when I’m nervous that I tend to speak fast and my message is lost on the person listening. If you have a similar issue, practice taking a pause in between your sentences. Sometimes even just repeating the words “slow down” in your head before you speak can help you focus on not talking too fast.
Proof, Revise, & Prepare Your Resume
Your resume is your first introduction to potential employers, so let’s make sure it’s one that’ll make you shine. Here’s your pre-event resume checklist:
Use Action Verbs and Keywords: Elevate your resume by using dynamic action verbs, relevant keywords, and detailed metrics. These not only make your accomplishments stand out but also align your resume with the industry’s language. For example, replace passive phrases like “responsible for” with engaging verbs like “led,” “achieved,” or “implemented.”
Proofread for Perfection: It's the little things that count, like the difference between "their" and "there" or "manager" and "manger" (yes, that typo can happen). Give your resume one more thorough proofread, and make sure others read it too! Having a fresh set of eyes can help spot things you might have missed.
Print Ahead of Time: The last thing you want is to be stuck in a frantic printer fiasco minutes before an event, or worse, discover an empty printer! By printing early, you ensure that your resume is in hand and ready to impress.
Dress for Success: Preparing Your Outfit and Essentials
Picking the perfect outfit for a career fair is more than just looking good; it’s about showing confidence and professionalism. Here’s how you can ensure you make the right impression:
Flattering But Not Flashy: Your clothing should strike a balance between flattering and professional. Aim for an out that’s flattering but not too flashy or tight. Personally, I find wearing slacks paired with a nice blouse or button-down shirt creates a polished look. Suit jackets or blazers are also excellent choices if you have them. This also includes your makeup. If you plan on wearing some, try a natural look - the more simple, the better.
Comfort is key: One big item I cannot stress enough here is to wear comfortable shoes (and break them in before the event)! You’ll likely be on your feet, standing, and walking for long periods of time. The last thing you want is to be distracted by sore feet. Opt for professional and comfortable footwear that allows you to move with ease.
Pack Your Essentials: Some bonus items I like to bring along to professional events are hand sanitizer, mints, a small snack, chapstick, and makeup/a compact mirror for touchups.
By taking the time to carefully select your outfit and packing your essentials, you’ll be well-prepared to look and feel your best during the fair!
Make a Game Plan
With your research done, your pitch polished, and your outfit ready to go, you’re well on your way to tackling the internship fair like a seasoned pro! Now all that’s left is to put everything into action.
Your strategy will simply come down to what works best for you. Some people prefer to start with their top companies and work their way down, while others are the complete opposite. Personally, I prefer to do the following during an internship/job fair:
Get there early: As a person who’s most productive in the morning, I like to get an early start and speak with companies while everything is still fresh. Plus, you can avoid waiting in long lines.
Start with mid-tier companies, then move to my top-tier companies: I prefer this strategy because it allows me to get warmed up before I speak to my top companies. I’ll generally leave my lower-tier companies for the end because I may not be as fresh as at the beginning of my time there.
Take a break in between tiers: Since I know I’ll be chatting for a while, I like to take a small break in between. It helps me reset my mind and gives me time to review anything again before moving on.
Make Connections
Attending an internship fair isn't just about collecting business cards or handing out resumes like candy. It's an opportunity to establish meaningful connections that could potentially shape your future career. Here’s how you can make the most of your time:
Show your interest and curiosity: As someone who’s been on both sides of the booth, companies can tell when something is rehearsed. Approach each booth with the intention of engaging in genuine conversation. Remember, you want to leave a memorable impression, and being yourself is the best way to achieve that.
Listen actively: Effective networking is a two-way street. Take the time to actively listen to what the recruiters have to say and don’t be afraid to listen when other attendees are speaking as well. They might bring up a topic you didn’t think about initially. You’re there to learn!
Collect contact information and connect on LinkedIn: Send a personalized message when connecting with those on LinkedIn and express your appreciation for their time. Mention something specific from your conversation as well to jog their memory.
Make connections beyond just the recruiters: Take the time to engage with everyone there, including other students/attendees. I’ve made some great connections from this alone. You never know who knows who and it’s always important to continue expanding your network.
After the Fair
Send Thank You Emails
Always (and I do mean always) send your thank you emails within 24 hours or less of the fair. This small gesture can leave a lasting impression! You will not believe me when I say that I’ve had multiple companies tell me that I’m one of the few who have reached out or the only person to have reached out with a thank you email after an event.
Express your gratitude for the conversation, reiterate your interest, and attach any important items for reference. Additionally, you’ll want to try to include something specific from your conversation to jog their memory. Remember, these recruiters have likely met with hundreds of attendees and will have a ton of emails waiting for them when they return to the office. Give them time to respond. If you have no response within about 4-5 business days, then you can follow up with another email.
Keep in Touch with Connections
These events are all about expanding your network, use that to your advantage! If you meet someone interesting, reach out to them afterward for an informational interview or even for a cup of coffee. Keeping up with your connections is key, as you'll never know where it could lead.
Nurturing your career-fair connections requires ongoing effort, but the rewards can be substantial. These relationships have the potential to open doors to internships, job opportunities, and valuable insights into your chosen industry. By staying connected and engaged, you'll maximize the benefits of your career fair experience and continue to build a robust professional network.
Conclusion: Seize Your Success
You made it to the end of this blog! I hope you’re feeling more confident and well-prepared for your next opportunity. I know going to these events can be overwhelming or nerve-wracking, but I promise with the right mindset it can be a great experience.
Here are a few key takeaways:
Preparation is key: Research, make your game plan, perfect your elevator pitch and resume, and grab your essentials. The right prep will set the stage for success.
Connect Authentically: Engage in genuine conversations, actively listen, and seek to build relationships (even ones beyond the recruiters). You’re there to expand your network.
Follow Up: Don’t let a connection fade away. Send thank you emails, connect on LinkedIn, and stay engaged with your contacts.
Learn & Adapt: Each internship fair is a learning experience. Take note of what works and what doesn’t, and use that knowledge to improve your strategy for future opportunities.
As you embark on your career fair journey, know that you're not alone. Countless students and recruiters have walked this path before, and they all started with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Embrace the excitement, and let it drive you to prepare, connect, and pursue your career goals with determination.
Thank you for joining me! I wish you the very best of luck at your next internship/job fair and as always, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments.
