15 Point Checklist To Preparing For College and University Career Fairs
Welcome back students and scholars! Most campus career fairs take place within the first or second month of the new semester and it’s likely that you are reading this article because you are preparing for your own college or university career fair, right? So let’s get into our 15 point checklist to smashing your next on-campus recruitment event!
Why Go To Career Fairs?
There are few people massively excited at the prospect of spending a day in their university’s gym or event space talking to strangers in the hopes of getting hired. It’s awkward and uncomfortable, so why do we do it? Well, it works!
Many young professionals get their first opportunities at career fairs. Career fairs help us:
to start building your list of preferred employers
to obtain information about companies
to learn about potential jobs/internships
Reasonable Expectations
You should expect to wait in lines at employer tables/booths. Depending on how large your school is, this could be 5 minutes or 50 minutes. The more popular the employer, the more likely a longer line, so be strategic in your employer approach and make a plan to determine which employers you absolutely want to talk with and which ones would be “nice” if there is time.
You should expect to hear no. Employers are on-campus to recruit for specific positions and if you don’t match their major preference or GPA or class year, they might politely recommend you try again next year or check out another employer.
All feedback is good feedback. If an employer says no, I view that as it’s not a no; it’s just not yet.. Ask for ways to improve, ask to connect on LinkedIn and take the time to build a connection with the recruiter to show them how you would be a good fit for their organization. You might hear no but don't accept no means no forever.
For organizations you are most serious about, apply for roles before the career fair and make reference of what role you applied for and why you think you’d be a good fit for the position and organization when meeting recruiters at the career fair. It might go something like this:
“Hi, I’m Waverly! I’m a second year marketing major and I recently applied to your Purchasing internship program. I was super excited by this position because I just completed a class in Purchasing and really value your company’s commitment to diversity so this seemed like a perfect fit!”
3 Phases of Career Fair
There are three phases of career fair preparation- before the fair, during the fair and after the fair.
Before the fair, you will want to do your market research on the industries and employers attending the fair and create a few talking points on each employer. You can source information from an employer’s website, social media or other students and alumni you know at the organization.
Once you determine which employers resonate with you, apply to open positions and develop questions to ask the recruiter about the role to show your interest and seriousness of your candidacy. Then, customize and practice your elevator speech or pitch towards the specific role and organization using your market research to highlight values, skills and abilities the employer is seeking. If you aren’t sure what those are- read the job descriptions! The answers are there.
During the career fair, have copies of your resume and carry them in a nice looking professional folder or padfolio. Add a sticky note to each resume that includes the employer’s name and 1-2 things you want to discuss (or roles you’ve already applied to). Leave your backpack at home and dress professionally in clothes that are comfortable and authentic to you. If you wouldn't wear heels to work on a normal day, no need to wear them to a career fair.
Go to the career fair early! Going to the fair early diminishes the likelihood of long lines and ensures you get a chance to chat with your most sought after organizations. Go early and take breaks throughout the day so recharge your batteries. Be sure to take business cards or ask for a recruiter’s name so you can find them on LinkedIn to follow up with after the fair.
After the fair, make connections! Send a follow up email or request connection on LinkedIn leveraging something unique from your in-person experience. Example:
“Hi Willa, thanks for speaking with me at my college career fair today! I found your insights on the marketing role particularly helpful. I also really enjoyed our chat on Instagram reels. I’d love to stay connected with you on LinkedIn.”
If you follow the 15 point prep checklist below to work through the three phases of career fair, you will feel more confident, better prepared and ultimately, have better success networking and connecting about opportunities with recruiters and employers. Good luck!
The 15 Point Checklist To Preparing For College and University Career Fairs
Research employers attending career fair
Create 1-3 talking points on each employer
Develop questions to ask recruiters
Apply to positions before career fair
Practice your elevator speech
Print copies of your resume
Add a sticky note to each resume that includes the employer’s name and 1-2 things you want to discuss
Carry a padfolio to hold your resumes and notebook
Leave your backpack at home
Lay out your professional (but comfortable!) outfit the night before
Go to career fair early
Give yourself breaks throughout the fair
Take business cards
Actually follow up with recruiters through email or LinkedIn
Quantity over Quality!
Related:
Meet The Writer!
Hi! My name is Nadia Ibrahim-Taney and I help people design happy and fulfilling careers through authentic career coaching. My expertise includes career exploration guidance, resume writing, interview prep and LinkedIn profile optimization. My pronouns are She/ Her/ Hers and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I focus on how diverse identities impact and influence folks holistically and professionally. Please connect with me on LinkedIn or at Nadia@beyonddiscoverycoaching.com
