Prepare for In-Person Career Fairs
Before the Career Fair
- Review the list of participating employers and available jobs and internships in advance on Handshake.
- You can also check out company reviews from other students on Handshake.
- Identify and prioritize companies and organizations which interest you and/or that have indicated an interest in your major or skillset.
- Research companies by reviewing their web sites and finding contacts who might be able to tell you more about the organization. LinkedIn is a great way to find current or past employees that may give you candid information.
- Present your education, experience, skills, activities, and goals clearly and concisely.
- Make certain your resume is professional in appearance and contains no errors.
- Bring 20-30 resumes to the career fair—you can have them printed at the Career Service Center!
- Have the Career Services Center review your resume well ahead of time! Email it to us for review or schedule an appointment.
- Cover letters are not necessary when you are giving your resumes out in person.
- Be prepared to make a 2–3-minute introduction, including information about your major, graduation date, academic accomplishments, internships, leadership experience, and/or related work experience and skills. Relate your background to what you know about the employer's needs.
- Anticipate questions the employer might ask. Think about potential answers that show knowledge of the industry and how your interests and background relate.
- Develop a list of questions to ask each of your targeted employers.
- Dress as if you are going to an interview.
- Make sure your clothing and hair are neat and tidy, since you may be making a first impression with a potential interviewer.
- Don’t have anything professional to wear? No problem! Come visit the WWU Career Closet!
During the Career Fair
- Review the career fair participants in Handshake and target employers who interest you.
- Download the career fair directory and map or grab a paper copy at the door to locate your targeted list of employers.
- Allow enough time. If you plan to see numerous companies, one hour may not be sufficient, especially if they’re popular!
- Talk to as many employers as you can. Undoubtedly, you will learn much about the employment market, networking, and job search strategies. Remember to take detailed notes so you can remember everything!
- Appear confident and enthusiastic! Demonstrate engaging nonverbal skills by maintaining good eye contact and a firm handshake.
- Ask questions that show your knowledge of and interest in the industry/organization. (link to question section below)
- Show your interest in applying your academic background to opportunities employers may have. Don't apologize for lack of experience.
- Answer questions clearly and concisely.
- Have your resume available. You can print your resume on high quality paper for free in the Career Services Center!
- Avoid questions regarding salary and benefits.
- If the representative isn't seeking someone with your skills, ask for a contact name of an individual in the organization who might be looking for someone with your background so you can mail them your resume.
- Ask recruiters for their business cards so you can get the correct spelling and titles of the recruiters you speak with regarding job opportunities. Make notes on the business cards to help you remember the nature of the contact (follow up required, etc.).
- Before you leave the booth, ask how you can best follow up or how soon you can expect to hear from the company.
- Thank them for their time and let them know you plan to follow up with them
Questions to Ask Employers at Career Fairs
The best way to approach a company representative to learn about the company and create a strong first impression is to ask good questions. Because of the research you to prior to the career fair, you will probably come up with more specific questions for each company.
Suggested Questions
- What are the entry-level jobs for someone with a background in [accounting]?
- What are the qualifications for jobs in this field?
- Can you please describe some typical projects/assignments for an entry-level person in your organization.
- Does the company offer internships or co-op positions?
- Do you have any advice for someone wanting to enter the field?
- What is the best way to obtain a position in your field/industry?
- Are there any specific courses a student might take that would be relevant in this field?
- What is the current demand and outlook for the field/industry?
- What type of training does your organization offer?
- What are some typical career paths? What is a typical time frame for promotion in this field?
- How many people are employed within the company, business, organization, or department?
- Where does this position fit in the overall organization of the company? Who will the person in this position report to?
- Will you describe the selection process?
- If there are no openings at this time, when do you anticipate future openings? Are there other companies you may know of who might be interested in my qualifications? May I use your name as a referral source?
- May I contact you later if I have other questions?
After the Career Fair
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If a recruiter asks you to follow up by sending a list of references, scheduling an appointment, submitting transcripts, etc., make sure you do so promptly.
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Send a thank you message or email to each employer with whom you speak. It is important to contact the employers within a week or two following the fair. Your letter should thank the employer for the information received at the career fair, review your qualifications, and ask for a follow up
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Connect with the recruiter on LinkedIn. You should always add a note when sending a connection request. Here’s a LinkedIn connection request template you can use :
Hello [Recruiter name],
It was a pleasure meeting you at the career fair last week. I was truly impressed by our conversation and the insights you shared about [Company Name]. I look forward to connecting further and hopefully exploring how I can be a valuable addition to your team.
Best regards,
[Your name]
AA/EO
Accessibility Statement: This event is intended for all participants, including those with visible or non-apparent disabilities. For disability accommodation(s) (such as ASL interpretation, etc.) please contact the Career Services Center, careers@wwu.edu. Advance notice is appreciated and sometimes necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.