How to Prepare
for a Job Fair
Mr. Endicott
Career Services
Maximize Your
Success
Career Fair Tips
Please take a moment to
review the following tips
to maximize your success
at the fair.
10 Steps to
Maximize Your
Success
Polish your resume
Do your homework
Prepare effective questions
Create your pitch
Practice
Dress professionally
Come prepared
Make a good 1st impression
Never do the following
Follow-up
• It is not enough to simply have “a resume”
• An effective resume…
o Is free of errors
o Is pleasing to look at and quick to interpret
o Demonstrates transferable skills
o Suggests 110% effort
o Has self-promotion as its main purpose
• See SU Resume guide and other resources at
http://www.salisbury.edu/careerservices/students/resumes/default.html
• What companies are going to be there?
• Which are of interest to you?
• Find out more about the company
– Services/products, mission, competitors, locations
• Find out about entry level jobs/training
• Show off your knowledge by asking
specific follow-up questions. Some
possibilities…
o Describe your background and a particular opportunity
to get their assessment of fit
o What is the timeline for the hiring process and how
might you learn more?
o Are there any training/development opportunities not
described on the web site?
o What is the culture like at your organization? What do
you like best about working there?
o Impact of economy
• Elevator pitch
oWho are you? (name)
oWhat do you do? (major/graduation)
oWhat sets you apart?
(unique experiences,
personal strengths)
oWhat is your objective?
5. Practice
• Role play with your neighbor
oImagine a company you’d love to work
for
oYou expect them to be at an upcoming
job fair; How will you open?
oDon’t forget: handshake, smile, eye
contact
• Practice on your own!
6. Dress Professionally
Wear comfortable shoes!
7. Come Prepared
• Arrive early
• Be sure to bring…
o At least 20 copies of your resume (business
cards may be helpful too)
o Supplies: portfolio or folder, paper, pen
o Questions and brief notes
o Energy, and a positive attitude!
8. Make a good impression
• Visit your top employer first or last?
• Walk right up if you can; otherwise take
the lit and return
• Still a line? Stand aside respectfully and LISTEN!
• When you approach…
o Start with what you prepared, but improvise
o Focus on the conversation; avoid distraction
o Try to keep it fresh and sincere; only you have heard
yourself over and over
o Hand over your resume and ask for a business card
• Be respectful of others; you never know who’s watching…
9. Never do the following
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ask “What does your company do?”
Argue with a recruiter
Monopolize recruiter time
Get greedy with giveaways
Just leave your resume on the table
Act rudely to other students or recruiters
10. Follow-up
• To set yourself apart, you need to make an
impression AFTER as well as during the fair
• Send a thank-you card/email within a few days
o Mention something specific from your
conversation (make quick notes during the fair,
and more extensive notes soon after)
Upcoming Job Fairs
• Meet the Firms Job Fair (Info Systems and
Accounting ONLY)
• When: Tuesday, September 23, 2014. 4:00-6:00
• Location: First floor of Perdue Hall
• -----------------------------------------------------------------• Fall General Job & Internship Fair-for ALL majors
• When: Wednesday, September, 24, 2014.
12:00-4:00
• Location: Wicomico Room & the second floor
in the Guerrieri University Center
• ------------------------------------------------------------------------------•
.