How To Succeed At A Career Fair

Job fairs can be an extremely valuable component of your job search - but only if you know how to properly succeed at one.

Research the employers with whom you want to interview. This can be done by conducting an internet search, reading recruitment brochures, and browsing annual reports and promotional materials.
Carefully prepare your resume. Make sure you have plenty of copies on professional stock paper.
Know yourself. Be familiar with your strengths, weaknesses, values, interests, and career goals. This will enable you to be well-spoken when the recruiter asks you questions at the fair.
Prepare a list of suitable questions to ask the recruiter.
Prepare your "30 second speech."

Always wear conservative style clothing-no neon colors or bold designs. For men, that means a suit and tie, ironed white shirt, well-polished leather shoes, and matching dress socks. For women, professional dress entails a business skirt and jacket and polished leather shoes. Only wear a minimum amount of accessories.
Make sure your shoes are comfortable, since you will be on your feet for a large part of the day.
Use proper grooming and hygiene. Make sure that your nails are trimmed, your breath is fresh, and that your hair is in place. Use perfume and cologne sparingly.
For women-many business skirts that seem to be of a suitable length when you're standing in front of the mirror can mysteriously come up to mid-thigh when you are sitting down. Make sure that you sit in your outfit at home or before you purchase it to make sure it looks professional sitting down as well as standing up. (You cannot assume that you will be on your feet for the entire job fair).

You never know where a recruiter may be lurking, so be sure to act professionally in the parking lot, bathrooms, and at local restaurants if you go on a lunch break.
Be patient - lines for the recruiters at the fair may be long. Respect the privacy of the candidates before you by not hovering near the table while you wait your turn.
Organize a list of employers with whom you wish to speak. This will enable you to be relaxed at the fair, instead of frantically pacing from table to table as you decide who is next.
Start with a few employers who may not be your top choice in order to gain your confidence.
Take a break during the day to freshen up (and to make sure there is no lettuce from lunch stuck between your teeth!)

Approach recruiters with confidence and purpose.
Offer a firm handshake and tell the interviewer exactly what you are looking for. (Example: " Hi, my name is___________. I am pursuing a degree in _________ at the University of Texas, and I am interesting in obtaining a position in ___________ at your company").
Respond truthfully to questions, but always convey a positive image of yourself.
Be active, enthusiastic, and assertive, but not aggressive.
Do not ramble.
Maintain eye contact.
When stating skills that you possess, make sure to give specific examples to back them up.
Ask questions.
At the end of the interview, make sure you have obtained a business card and ask what the next step in the selection process will be. Make sure that the company has a copy of your resume.
Always thank the recruiter for his or her time.
After the interview, you may want to sit in the lounge area to jot down a few notes about the conversation you just had with the recruiter.

Send a thank you letter within three days to the employers that you met. Make sure to mention specific things that you discussed in the interview, and ask for further consideration.
Complete any applications that were given to you and mail them promptly.
Be persistent. Call to make sure that your resume was reviewed and request another interview. However, take caution that you are not overly aggressive.
Stay organized. Keep track of all applications you have sent, phone calls you have made, and resumes you have handed out.
Be confident, knowing you did your best at the job fair!

Dr. Katharine S. Brooks, Director / University of Texas at Austin, FAC 18 / Austin, TX / (512) 471-7900