8 Ways to Make the Most of Job and Internships Fairs

Internship and career fairs are a perfect place for students to get a jump on professional networking, explore career options and make contacts that can lead to their first job — and the hilltop hosts several fairs throughout the year.

Career and Professional Development hosts a series of recruiting events each spring. The events are held specifically for students and alumni who are looking to apply for internships or full-time jobs, or research graduate and pre-professional schools. Students and alumni can network with employers and begin identifying and applying for jobs or graduate school. Many of the employers will be interviewing job candidates during the fair — an ideal time to sharpen interview skills.

Visit the Career and Professional Development events page for an up-to-date list of internship and recruitment events.

Here are tips for making the most of recruitment fairs.

A student talks with an employer at a job fair.

1. Dress the Part

Make a strong and lasting impression by wearing business casual or business formal attire. When in doubt, it’s better to be more formal than too casual. Make sure your hair is neatly trimmed and styled, your clothes are wrinkle free and shoes are clean and/or polished. Avoid flashy jewelry. Keep accessories simple.

2. Arrive on Time

Plan to arrive right when the fair opens, and make sure you reserve enough time to pace yourself during the event. Plus, spending more time at a fair allows you to meet additional employers and expand your professional network.

3. Bring Copies of Your Résumé

Not every employer at the fair will ask for a résumé, but you should plan to bring several copies, professionally formatted and printed on résumé paper. If you need to create a résumé or have someone review your résumé before the fair, visit Career and Professional Development in Moody Hall, Room 134 to access our résumé resources.

4. Scan the Room

Identify employers at the fair you’d like to talk to. While it’s a good practice to have a target list of employers, it’s equally beneficial to engage with a variety of employers and learn about their company cultures and employment opportunities.

Career and Professional Development staff talk with an employer at a job fair.

5. Be Positive

Confidence and enthusiasm make a great first impression. When you meet an employer, make eye contact, smile and offer a firm handshake as you introduce yourself.

6. Practice Your Elevator Pitch

"Can you tell me about yourself?" If you have trouble answering this question, you’ll want to practice your elevator pitch, a quick introduction you provide highlighting your personal and professional profile. Need help developing your elevator pitch? Download our Elevator Pitch Guide that takes you step-by-step through the process of creating your pitch.

7. Take Advantage of All Resources

In addition to employers and recruiters, internship and career fairs will feature several professional development resources. You should plan to have your professional headshot taken at the LinkedIn photo booth, provided by Career and Professional Development.

8. Follow Up

Once you meet with employers at the fair, plan to follow up via email or LinkedIn. Do you need a LinkedIn profile? Visit Career and Professional Development to learn how to create a profile and effectively build your network.

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