Are you planning on attending an upcoming career fair? Need help preparing before the big day? You’ve come to the right place!
Follow us on Instagram @kucareer for more content on how you can prepare for the fair!
What do I wear?
Plan to wear business professional or business casual attire. If you don’t have these pieces of clothing – no worries, a clean and pressed pair of slacks, shirt and jacket or cardigan in neutral colors will do. A simple pair of shoes, like flats, boots or walking shoes will be fine.
Check out The P.H.O.G. (206 Summerfield Hall) to build your professional wardrobe.
What do I say?
No need to overthink this- a simple introduction that includes your name, year in school and/or major and what types of opportunities you’re looking for, will be enough to get the conversation started.
Example: “Hi, my name is Wendy and I’m a sophomore majoring in Geography – I see you’re recruiting public policy positions – can you tell me more about that?”
You can also say something like this if you are unsure: “I’m still figuring things out – I’d like to know more about your opportunities”.
What do I bring?
A portfolio or padfolio, as they are sometimes called, is a leather folder that carries a pad of paper, other documents and has a place for a pen. Don’t worry if you don’t have one – you can also use a simple folder. With the folder, be sure to bring 10-15 copies of your resume, paper, and a pen. Along with your portfolio, be sure to have the Handshake app downloaded on your phone to navigate the fair like a pro!
Who do I talk to?
A list of employers that plan to attend is available on the Handshake app. On the app, you will be able to sort through organizations by categories like industry, experience, job type (such as internships or jobs) and more! Career Fairs are the perfect opportunity to network with employers in the industry of your interest, so start by seeing which organizations fit your interests. Be sure to check the list regularly as employers are being added almost daily!
Contact a career advisor if you want further help sorting through and developing a strategy for navigating the day of the fair.
A career fair is your opportunity to meet employers in person. Here’s what typically happens:
- Employers have tables or booths where you can introduce yourself.
- Students walk around, ask questions, and hand out resumes.
- You will see a mix of formal and casual conversations, giving you a sense of professional networking.
- Dress in business professional attire, bring copies of your resume, and be ready to ask questions about companies and roles.
Even if you’re not applying for a position yet, you can make your attendance valuable:
- Practice your introduction and networking skills.
- Observe how other students interact with employers. What questions do they ask? How do they present themselves?
- Take notes on companies, roles, or skills you might want to explore later.
- Follow up with any contacts you make to start building long-term professional relationships.
- Some companies do hire motivated first- and second-year students for internships, part-time jobs, or projects.
- You gain insight into what employers are looking for and what experiences you can build toward.
- Early exposure makes future career fairs easier and less intimidating.
