Career Event Preparation
The Career Management Center hosts a variety of career fairs and events throughout the academic year with the goal of providing opportunities for students to connect with employers, learn about opportunities, and practice valuable skills that will serve BizRams now and throughout their career.
Employers attend events to identify new talent, meet candidates, and increase the visibility of their company. When interacting with employers you can learn about job and internship openings, learn about possible career paths, and company values and goals.
While the experience may seem overwhelming, remember that company representatives are there to specifically learn about you. They often are paying to attend because they want to meet you!
Preparing for every career event you attend is important and will help you stand out from others. Career Fairs are designed to connect students with a wide range of companies, providing the opportunity to explore career options, learn about job and internship opportunities, and build valuable connections. Taking some time to plan ahead can create a more meaningful, successful experience. Follow the tips below to make the most of your time!
Career Event Check List
Use the following guidelines to help you excel before, during, and after a career fair or event. Before the event, you’ll want to prepare your resume, research the companies in attendance, and practice your introduction. During the event, you’ll want to be strategic about who you talk to and take notes as you go. After it has ended, follow up with your new contacts! That will set you apart in their minds and take your networking to the next level.
*If you’re a first or second year student, here’s an additional event/career fair prep resource specifically for you!
✅ Register early! Search upcoming events and click to register as required.
- Registration is not always required – but you will get employer updates and reminders once you are registered.
✅ Add to your calendar. Ask for time off early from job/student org/professor, if needed, to attend your registered sessions.
✅ Identify employers attending. From the Handshake event, click “show all employers.” Find detailed information including company description, position titles and employment type they are recruiting (full-time, part-time, internship, etc.), school years desired, and sessions the company will have available. (Check back often in Handshake – new employers may be added right up to the event date.)
- Make a list of companies to visit and research! Know their key products and services, recent successes/challenges, financial situation, cultural information including their company affinity groups, leadership representation, values, and future growth plans.
TIP: Create an event cheat sheet that includes key company information and a space for you to take notes. Here’s a sample!
- Check Handshake to identify positions that companies you’ll be meeting with are hiring for. If positions aren’t posted in Handshake, try looking on a company’s website for a glimpse of their roles.
✅ Prepare your resume. Check out the CMC resume samples for ideas and review your resume with a career counselor.
TIP: Keep an eye out for the CMC recruiter resume revisions event prior to the career fair. It is a great way to connect with employers and get a few more tips!
- Print your resume and bring enough copies to share with recruiters at the in-person event.
- Upload your resume to Handshake and make it public so employers you visit can access.
✅ Develop your questions. Make note of what you will ask each company to show that you have an interest and help you get to know them better.
✅ Practice a 4-step introduction:
- Who You Are (i.e. name, area of study, year)
- Your Interests (i.e. job, internship, type of role, etc.)
- The Highlights (i.e. key info to know about you – experience, skills, knowledge, etc.)
- A Question (i.e. ask them something to get the conversation going). Researching the company you’ll be meeting could be helpful to form your introduction talking points.
HINT: Refer to our Professional Introduction page for tips and tricks!
✅ Plan for how you will take notes. Bringing a padfolio or folder and notebook works great and gives you room for hanging onto handouts and business cards. Jot down contact information, answers to questions, instructions for follow-up. (Didn’t bring your padfolio? Jot down notes on the back of business cards!)
✅ Prepare to dress for success. Plan your professional attire to show confidence and make a great first impression.
TIP: Need assistance purchasing professional clothing for events? Check out the CMC Professional Development Fund.
✅ Familiarize yourself with the room. Take a walk around. Get comfortable. Locate the employers you want to meet and make a plan.
- HINT: Register for the Career Fair Preview Tour just before the event to become familiar with the space and snag some tips from career counselors and employers on how to best navigate the fair.
✅ Work out the nerves. Practice by visiting with a company lower on your list before heading to your top choice.
✅ Take notes. Perhaps you wait until after the conversation, but take time to jot down next steps, impressions, and who you spoke with at each company. Feel free to use this cheat sheet to stay organized.
✅ Get contact information from recruiters. This is important; you can send a thank you note and follow-up for continued networking. (Hint: Ask if it’s acceptable to follow-up later with questions.)
✅ Have copies of your resume handy. Recruiters are most interested in the discussion with you, but it’s common to offer a copy of your resume.
- Don’t be discouraged if they don’t keep your resume. It’s often not efficient for recruiters to leave with a stack of of resumes. They’ll likely ask you to submit your application online so you are in their tracking systems. The discussion was still an important step to standing out.
- There is free printing in the COB computer lab (Rockwell West Basement).
✅ Smile and be yourself!
✅ Connect on LinkedIn. Use search functions to identify recruiters you spoke with and send them a personalized invitation to connect. Find posts they make for added opportunities to engage (Like, Comment, or Share).
✅ Send a thank you note. Ideally within 24 hours of the event. This demonstrate both gratitude and a genuine interest in the company. A handwritten note is a nice touch; an email is more timely. Check out our Guide to Sending a Thank You Note.
✅ Complete any next steps from recruiters. Did they ask you to apply for a position on Handshake or the company website? Did they tell you to email them? Did they suggest a skill to develop? Come up with a plan to complete these steps and keep the recruiter updated.
✅ Brush up on interview skills. Hopefully your positive interaction and subsequent application lead to an interview. Start getting ready in advance. Practice 24/7 from anywhere using Big Interview or meet with the CMC for individual guidance and practice.
✅ Mark your calendar to follow-up. Stay in communication with employers to see where they are in their hiring process.
- TIP: Follow the employers’ timeline. If they suggest one week for a decision, then follow-up in a week. If they don’t provide a timeline, a 1-2 week wait is sufficient before you follow up with them.)
