Tips For Career Fair Success

Know what's happening when. Your campus career services center should have a schedule of career fairs.

Be ready with your resume. If you don't have a resume to take with you to a career fair, visit your campus career services center. The professionals there will help you portray your previous work, academic, and campus experiences effectively. If you already have written a resume, consider having your campus career services professional review it before it makes its professional debut.

Research, research, research. Check with your career services office to learn which companies will attend the career fair. Research the companies that interest you most.

Dress to do business. Your first impression can be your most important impression. Although some of the employers at a career fair may dress in casual business clothing, Merrill recommends that job seekers wear standard business attire. Dressing professionally makes a statement, and being overdressed makes less of a negative impression than being too casual.

The early bird...catches its favorite employers before long lines form. Beat the crowds to the career fair, and representatives from your target employers may be able to spend a little more time with you--that means more time to make a winning impression and learn details about the organization.

"But what should I say?" Almost anything besides, "Hi, umm..I don't really know what I'm looking for." Merrill reports that employers "hate when students rely on them to respond to these general, unfocused questions."

Instead, introduce yourself. Summarize yourself in a few sentences. Remember your research about the organization. Have a few questions prepared ahead of time that show you're interested in the company. Don't be afraid to promote your skills and abilities when you respond to employers' questions.

P.S. Be alert. Use correct grammar. Smile.