Navigating College Career Fairs: A Guide for Students
Career fairs can be a golden opportunity for those on the job search- especially upcoming graduates or students seeking internship opportunities. Here are my tips for maximizing the experience.
Before the Fair: Essential Prep Work
Research Participating Companies: Don't walk in blind. Take time to research companies that interest you.
Look up their:
Current job openings and internship programs
Recent news & press releases for any relevant company developments
Social media channels, they’re great to gage company culture
From this, prioritize the employers you are most excited about that have relevant jobs open that you are interested in applying for. If there are companies you’re interested in, but perhaps don’t have immediate openings that align with your major & career goals, I’d still introduce yourself, communicate your interest in the company, and leave a resume! You never know what might be down the pipeline. This focused approach will help you make the most of your limited time.
Some schools might include the names of attendees (particularly if they are also alumni of the school). To go the extra mile, check out their LinkedIn profiles for some background knowledge of their experience, and strategically incorporate that into your conversation.
“Hey, I checked you out on LinkedIn, I played basketball at Stonehill too.” - can come off a bit direct and potentially over-eager. Instead, incorporate that specific similarity into your elevator pitch for that particular intro and let the conversation take off from there.
Perfect Your Resume (and print out a handful of copies)
Yes, most processes in a job search are online now, but when meeting at a career fair, or interviewing in person, I always suggest bringing in a hard copy of your resume to give some immediate context when you’re meeting someone face to face. Bring more copies than you think you’ll need (it’s job search season, you’ll use them eventually). You never know who you might drum up a conversation with. Bonus points for high-quality paper.
Your resume is your personal marketing tool. Make sure it's:
Updated with your latest achievements, experiences, and your graduation date (graduation date is key so employers know if you’ll be applying for internships vs. full time positions )
Proofread multiple times for errors (print it, read it out loud, then read it again)
If you need additional tips for elevating your resume as a college student, check out this blog post.
Craft Your Elevator Pitch
Develop a compelling 30-second introduction that covers:
Your name, major, and timeline
Relevant experience or projects
Why you're interested in their company
Elevator Pitch Ideas:
Hi, I’m Haley – I’m currently a communications major applying for full time roles once I graduate in May. I’m really excited about the XYZ position I saw posted, it’s similar to my internship with Sony where I supported their corporation communications department. I’d love to hear about your experience with the company so far?
Hi, I’m Haley – I’m graduating this May with my Communications degree. I’m really excited about the XYZ position I saw posted, I supported HR during my internship with WB Mason, but I’d love to explore the recruitment industry. How do you suggest an interested applicant go about applying?
Hi, I’m Haley, great to meet you. I explored the careers page of Company’s Name site, but didn’t see any roles relevant to my Communications degree. I’ll be graduating in May, and your firm has been on my radar for a few years. So I wanted to stop by and introduce myself in the event that anything opened up in the future.
Practice your pitch (out loud!) until it feels natural, not rehearsed.
During the Fair: Making a Strong Impression
Professional Presentation Basics:
Wear professional business attire
Try to remain hands free (avoid carrying around bulky bags or beverages)
Maintain good posture and eye contact
Offer a firm handshake
Keep your phone silent and *out of sight*
*Additional reminder to keep your notes in a leather bound portfolio or simple folder (with pockets!), not in your phone. You don’t want to be reverting back to your phone prior to every stop.
When speaking with recruiters:
Ask thoughtful questions about the company (this is where your research comes in!)
Show enthusiasm and genuine interest
Be prepared to discuss your relevant coursework and projects
Collect business cards or contact information
Smart Navigation
Arrive on the early side when recruiters are fresh (if you can)
Use the venue map to plan your route, prioritizing the companies you know you want to apply to
Take short breaks to review notes and stay energized
Be mindful of recruiters' time, especially if there are others waiting to speak with them.
After the Fair: Following Up
Within 24-48 hours send personalized thank-you emails to recruiters and connect with those you met with on LinkedIn
When connecting, include a personalized note to remind them of where you met.
Name –
It was great to meet you at the Northeastern career fair yesterday, thank you for your time. I’d love to keep in in touch.
-Your Name
Apply for positions online as instructed
“Follow” the companies you met with on LinkedIn
Keep the ball rolling
Maintaining your LinkedIn profile, updating it as you progress through the semester to add relevant content as needed.
Keep in touch with promising connections. If you met with someone who offered a specific next step – coffee chat, connecting with a hiring manager, or wanting to keep int ouch – take them up on it!
Document what worked well and where you struggled so you can tackle future career fairs with confidence
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Approaching booths without any company knowledge
Asking about information readily available on the company website
Focusing only on the most popular companies
Forgetting to bring essential materials
Neglecting to follow up after the event
Final Thoughts
Career fairs are invaluable networking opportunities that can open doors to internships and full-time positions. You can maximize your results by taking a professional and prepared approach.
Remember, success at career fairs isn't just about landing a job on the spot – it's about building relationships and learning about potential career paths.
Stay confident, be authentic, and treat every interaction as a learning experience.
