Career Fair Tips

What should I wear? 

Professional attire is required for admittance into the Career Fair. NO jeans of any kind are acceptable. See below for examples of appropriate Career Fair attire for both women and men.

Women's Career Fair Attire

   

   

 

Men's Career Fair Attire

   

 

Important Tips:

• Practice talking about yourself and something you are proud of that’s relevant to the job/internship you want.
  
  
• We are all human. Don’t become too stressed during the interview; just be yourself. 
  
  
• Start your career search earlier rather than later. If you can get an internship or co-op during your time in college, that alone may put you ahead of others when it comes to finding positions after graduation. 
  
  
• Research, research, research. You are the master of your own fate. What do you want to do? What are you qualified to do? What is your dream job? 
  
  
• Be very honest about your interests and experience within the classroom and during previous internships. 
  
  
• Do not let your nerves get in the way of job opportunities. Recruiters want to talk to you! Tell them about your abilities, interests, and why you want to work at their company. The biggest career fair related mistake you can make is choosing not to attend the event. 
  
  
• Research the companies to understand what career opportunities are available. When you approach an employer, don’t let the first question be, “Do you have any job openings?” 
  
  
• Know what gives you energy and what makes you unique. Knowing more about who you are and what you want to do will help employers find the best fit for both parties.

Biggest Mistakes:

• Don’t be too rigid/narrow in what you are looking for – keep an open mind and be flexible. You will receive way more opportunities if you think this way. 
  
  
• One of the biggest mistakes a student can make at a career fair is wandering around not knowing what companies you want to consider for employment. 
  
  
• The biggest mistake is handing over your resume to the representative and simply saying, “Do you have a job for me?” Make it as easy as possible for the recruiter to understand your background and how you may be a fit. Communicate professionally and do your best to maintain eye contact. Recruiters want to help you succeed, so enjoy your interactions and allow your personality to shine through. 
  
  
• Don’t just say, “I’m open to anything.” 
  
  
• The biggest mistake people make early in the job search is to make comparisons to other people. Each person is different with different skills, even right out of school. Make a point to showcase your “soft skills” (also known as essential skills) as much as your “technical skills” when meeting with people, and never take feedback or rejection personally.