Getting the Most Out of a Career Fair
“Are career fairs worth the time?” “I waited in one company’s line for almost an hour.” “When I finally got to talk to the recruiter, he wasn’t even accepting resumes.” I hear comments like this from students after each fair. So, are career fairs really worth your time?
The answer is a resounding “Yes!” However, the problem is that most students don’t understand career fairs and they go into them unprepared and without a strategy. Realistic expectations, proper preparation, and follow-up are keys to getting the most out of a career fair.
Behind the Scenes
Companies pay big bucks to attend career fairs. So, what are they hoping to accomplish? While some companies have specific quotas and aggressively work to sign students up for immediate interviews, others are simply there to advertise their brand and direct students to their website. Many large companies have full-time recruiters that attend career fairs. It is also common to see university alumni volunteering their time to help recruit talent from their alma mater. Some companies have a strategy to only hire interns and then to convert their best interns to full-time upon graduation. Other organizations do not have internships and only recruit for full-time opportunities. As a student, you can expect to see all of the above scenarios and more. No matter the case, if you come to the fair prepared, you won’t leave disappointed.
Reality Check
Sterling, a media arts graduate, had a great resume and felt like he was top of his class. He ran on the university track team and sports were a big part of his life. His dream job was to work for ESPN. He attended a broadcasting career fair in Las Vegas and was excited to see two recruiters manning an ESPN booth. After waiting in line for quite a while, he finally had an opportunity to talk to one of them. He introduced himself and then told the recruiter he had been applying for jobs with ESPN, but he wasn’t hearing back on any of his applications. Here’s a summary of the conversation:
Sterling: Can I give you my resume?
Recruiter #1: We aren’t taking resumes, but we’d love to have you keep applying as you see openings on our website.
Sterling: Great. Do you have a business card? I’d love to stay in touch.
Recruiter #1: I’m sorry. We’re not giving out business cards.
After a little more conversation that didn’t seem to be getting him anywhere, Sterling shook the recruiter’s hand and walked away, disappointed. He was no closer to getting a job with ESPN now than he was before the career fair.
After visiting a few more booths, the thought came to his mind that he needed a different strategy for connecting with ESPN. Months ago, he had prepared a 30-second pitch for a class, but it felt awkward, and he never really planned to use it. He wondered if it might actually make a difference. So, Sterling went back to the ESPN booth and looked for an opportunity to talk to the second recruiter. When his chance came, he shook hands, smiled, and introduced himself. The conversation went something like this.
Sterling: “Hi, my name’s Sterling and I speak Portuguese. I ran track in college and recently graduated at the top of my class in BYU’s film program. Considering my passion and talent for film, sports, and Portuguese, I’m wondering if there might be a place for me at ESPN, especially knowing that the next World Cup will be in Brazil? I lived in Brazil for two years.”
Recruiter #2: (Pause) You speak Portuguese?
Sterling: Yes, I lived in Brazil for two years before enrolling in college. I speak, read, and write Portuguese fluently.
Recruiter #2: Do you like soccer?
Sterling: I love soccer. I played it all through my childhood. That’s what got me into running track.
Recruiter #2: I might know someone who could use your help. Do you have a copy of your resume?
Sterling: (Smiles as he hands over his resume.)
Recruiter #2: Reaching into his suit pocket and pulling out a business card, “Will you shoot me an email tomorrow, so I don’t forget to pass your resume on?”
Sterling couldn’t believe what had just happened. He followed up with an email the next day and then he received a phone call. After a couple of interviews, Sterling landed a job with ESPN! Sterling wasn’t the perfect job seeker, but he did a few things right before, during, and after the career fair. Seemingly minor details can make all the difference.
Sterling and others who have learned to successfully navigate career fairs offer the following four tips for success.
Tip 1: Do Your Homework
Prior to the career fair, look over the list of companies and do some quick research on those that catch your attention. Look at their website and make sure you know 1) what they do, 2) where they are located, and 3) if they have any relevant job postings. Take some quick notes to reference just before you visit each booth. Also, find out if they are doing anything else while they are visiting campus. Many companies will host information sessions, resume reviews, or other activities to make the most of their trip to campus. Those opportunities to connect may prove to be more valuable than the career fair itself.
Tip 2: Have a Game Plan
Once you have researched your top companies, rank them in order of interest. If you have researched three companies, locate them on the career fair map and plan to visit them in reverse order. This will give you the opportunity to practice with numbers three and two before you introduce yourself to the top company on your list. And don’t forget these details.
Suit up in professional attire.
Invest in some mints to keep your breath fresh.
Bring several copies of your resume in a professional-looking padfolio.
To avoid typos, be sure to have someone proofread the most recent version of your resume.
Tip 3: Pitch Yourself with Confidence
It feels awkward, but recruiters want to know who you are and what makes you unique. Greet the recruiter with a smile and follow their lead. If they extend their hand, shake it with confidence. They may want to introduce themselves first. Being a good listener is just as important as presenting yourself well. When it’s your turn to introduce yourself, know what you want to say.
Sterling’s example is a good template.
Hi. My name is ______.
Three things you need to know about me…
Ask an open-ended question (that couldn’t be easily answered by Google).
Here’s another effective template for preparing your pitch.
Present: What are you studying?
Past: What made you interested in this field?
Future: What are your short-term or long-term goals?
Tip 4: Follow Up
The reality is you will only get a few minutes with each recruiter. The chances of anything coming from your short conversation are slim. Although Sterling hit a home run, you might not have the same result. Your success will most likely come after the fair. Immediately after visiting with each recruiter, write down their names and a few notes about what they said. Don’t wait too long to send them a “thank you” email. Most students will not take time to do this, so you will stand out.
This is also a great opportunity to connect on LinkedIn. Be sure to include a short note with your invitation to connect reminding them of something you talked about at the fair. If you see a job posting later on, reach out to the recruiter and ask about it. The recruiter’s job is to connect top talent with their company. So, if you have effectively conveyed that you are “top talent,” you will be helping them do their job by asking about the position.
Over time, recruiters recognize and remember those students who stay in touch and visit them each time they are on campus. Recruiters are ordinary people, and they are typically very friendly. There is no reason to be intimidated or nervous. Get to know them, and start building professional relationships early on.
The Value of Career Fairs
Career fairs are most certainly worth your time, but you have to understand them and create a strategy. Do your homework, have a game plan, introduce yourself with poise, and follow up. Be confident and enjoy the experience of learning about companies and using the career fair as a step toward landing your dream job!
