Why should you attend a Career Fair?

The Business Career Services office sponsors four career fairs per year.  Beginning as early as your sophomore year, you should make an effort to attend as many as possible.

Purpose

• To unite qualified job applicants with prospective employers to facilitate job placement
• To serve as a networking tool among job candidates and employers
• To serve as an informational opportunity for students to gather information about potential career possibilities

Benefits

• Become more knowledgeable about career opportunities
• Strengthen professional networks
• Land an internship or full-time job

Prepare

• Register with BCS so when you’re invited to interview later through the Business School, you will have access to e-recruiting
• Prepare a professional resume
• Copy your resume on high quality bond paper (white or off-white is best)
• Wear business professional dress
• Come prepared with a 30 second professional sales pitch – know who you are and what you’re looking for.  Practice.
• Before the fair, ask BCS for a list of company attendees and make a plan of with whom you wish to speak.  Break this list into 3 different tiers based on your level of interest.
• Research the companies in your top 10 tier of interest so you can “wow” the recruiter with your knowledge.

Bring

• Several copies of your resume
• Questions for employers
• Portfolio with paper for note taking
• Try to leave your backpack and cell phone at home

Strategy

• Allocate your time wisely - look for shorter lines first
• Once you retrieve a map of the event, make a plan to follow the most efficient route possible
• Let the butterflies in your stomach go by practicing first with employers that are not on your list
• Try to obtain recruiters’ contact information so that you may follow-up with a thank you to remind them of your interest

Sample Questions to Ask a Recruiter

• What kind of entry level jobs are available in your organization?
• Where are your organization’s job opportunities geographically located?  Is there a relocation expectation?
• What can I do now to prepare for a career in your organization or industry (class projects, work experience, study abroad)?
• What do you look for in the ideal job candidate?
• What is the work environment like (size of organization, type of supervision, travel)?