How to Prepare for a Job Fair
A job fair is a great way to meet a number of employers in one place. Oftentimes, participants are unsure
of how to approach this event. “What should I do? What should I wear? When is the best time to
attend? How do I approach an employer in a professional manner?” Here are some strategies to make it
the best use of your time.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE:
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Updated your resume so it is current. Schedule an appointment with Career Services
for assistance. Call (202.319.5623) or stop by the office in Pryzbyla 127.
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Bring copies of your resume – use resume paper for a more professional look.

Review companies who will be attending & plan who you will see.
o Be strategic. Don’t try and see “everyone.” Select your top 3 or 4. Then have
a back-up list.
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Research those companies before you arrive.
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Prepare a 1-minute “commercial” on how you will market yourself.
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Plan to dress professionally. Both men and women should wear a suit in a
conservative color – navy, black, gray.
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Wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking around a lot.
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Avoid wearing cologne or perfume.
AT THE FAIR:

Try and leave purses, backpacks, briefcases at home. A portfolio is acceptable, or
make sure you wear a suit or trousers that have pockets.

Plan to arrive early. Try and be at the door first.
o Employers are fresh and tend to have more energy.

If you are given a map or layout of the room, study it carefully before you go inside.
Plan accordingly.

Physically walk around the space and see where your targeted companies are
located.
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Warm up. Do not go to your top company first. Instead pick an organization or two
that is not quite as important to you and talk with them. Once you are comfortable
and work out your jitters, then move to your #1 pick.

Be conscious of your surroundings. Do not monopolize the recruiter’s time. There
are other people who want to talk with him.

If the organization is popular and there is a crowd gathered around, you have a
couple of options.
o Wait & get as close to the table as possible to hear what the recruiter is saying
to others. It gives you a chance to mentally prepare your answers.
o Visit another table and come back when it is not as crowded. Try to have the
table in your line of vision so you can monitor it.
o Stop by and make sure to pick up a business card and the accompanying
materials.

Make sure to get the business card of those recruiters whose organizations are of
interest to you.

If you have time, go and talk with other organizations on your back-up list.

Keep in mind that it’s a networking event. Other fair participants may be able to
give you leads to other job opportunities. Should this happen, make sure to follow
up with that person just as if he were an employer.
Notes:
○ What if an employer scheduled to be there is not at the event? Go to the check-in table
and talk with the event’s organizer. Find out the representative’s name and obtain the
contact information. Plan to contact that person on your own.
○ What if a new employer arrives at the fair? Do not assume that the employer list on the
internet is the most current one. If the organizers do not offer the information, ask if
anyone new has arrived.
AFTER THE FAIR:

As soon as you can, sit down and take notes regarding specifics about the fair.

Send a thank-you note to the recruiter or networking contact within 24-hours. E-mail is
acceptable.
○ It is recommended that you do not send a generic thank-you note. Instead, tailor
each thank-you note to that specific person.

Follow through if asked. If the recruiter asks you to e-mail a copy of your resume, then
do so and quickly! Don’t send it a week later.