- Your student ID.
- Research notes and questions you plan to ask each employer.
- Copies of your resume (reviewed by Career Services, of course!); one copy for each employer with whom you plan to speak, plus several extra copies for those employers you meet unexpectedly. The resume should be printed on high-quality, resume-appropriate paper.
- A professional portfolio with paper and a pen in which to carry your resumes and any company literature you receive at the event. Don’t take a backpack to a career fair with you if possible. Leave a backpack in your car or with a friend during your time at the fair.
- Research employers attending the fair; locate the information on the event website.
- A winning smile and positive attitude!
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Career fairs allow you to meet various employers offering internships and job opportunities in one location. They're also an excellent place to practice your networking and professional communication skills before an interview. Also, you'll be able to learn about a variety of job opportunities from many industries. It's always a good idea to check out your competition while at the fair. Just stand back a bit, listen to what other students and prospective employers are asking, and survey the room to see what professional attire attendees wear.
While most employers only accept applications online, they often use career fairs as a way to assess candidates on professional appearance, verbal communication skills, sense of purpose or career direction, and seriousness about employment with their company. If you really want to impress a recruiter, use the career fair as a way to follow up, letting them know that you have already submitted your application for a position with their company and are happy to meet personally with a company representative at the event. Be sure to follow through with the questions you've prepared.
Yes! Frequently, many employers attend career fairs to recruit for full-time positions and internships. Some fairs are dedicated solely to internship opportunities. Speak with Career Services to identify additional sources for internships.
It is strongly recommended that you dress in business professional attire for career fairs and interviews. It is the most formal dress option and helps you to look sharp and professional. "Business professional" means wearing a pantsuit or skirt suit in a solid neutral color (black, blue, or gray). Make sure it fits properly and is pressed to remove any wrinkles. If you want to add some personality to your outfit, shirts and ties are a great way to do that. Woven and printed tops, patterned ties, and jewelry are professional and showcase your individuality. Make sure that you don’t choose anything too flashy, as it may not be received as professional.
Finally, be sure to wear professional, close-toed, and polished shoes. If you choose to wear socks, they should be dress socks. Whether you wear heels or flats is up to you and your comfort level but remember to be conscious of how much you will be walking during a career fair.
Don’t have business professional attire? The Career Closet may be able to help.
Visit the career fair website for a list of registered employers for the event. Continue to check the site for updated employer registration information. If the fair runs for multiple days, note which dates the employer is registered to attend. Most sites will allow you to search for employers by name, keyword, industry area, or major.
Creating and practicing a thirty-second pitch for employers is a good idea. Introduce yourself by name, include your major/degree, and briefly let the employer know about your career interests, top skills, and internship, leadership, or other relevant experiences. If you're unsure, try starting with this sample format and tailoring the introduction for yourself:
"Hello, my name is _____________, and I'm a senior communications major at Penn State. My goal is to work in corporate communications, where I can combine my skills and interests in writing, editing, and public relations. This past summer, I completed an exciting internship with XYZ Corporation, where I assisted the marketing-communications department with a new initiative to ________. I'm also the chief editor of our school's literary magazine while building my corporate experience through my part-time position with _______. Your company particularly interests me because _____________, and I'm interested in learning more about ________."
That depends on how many employers you plan to visit and how long the lines are to see those employers. Career fairs are typically very large events attended by hundreds of people. Don't become overwhelmed; just focus on your list of employers you intend to visit. You may want to prioritize your list by creating a "Top five" selection just in case you don't have time to visit every company you plan to see. Very popular companies tend to have very long lines, so you may want to visit other employers on your list and come back to that line later.
Fantastic! Some employers add students to their interview schedules during a career fair. Typically, this happens in high-need areas such as engineering or technical disciplines and high-priority federal jobs. If an employer invites you onto their interview schedule, you'll need to apply officially for the position. That's typically done through the company's website, but feel free to ask the employer about their application process. Be sure to clarify the location of the interview with the employer.
For Career Days events at Penn State University Park, your interview will most likely occur in the Bank of America Career Services Center. If you cannot return to University Park for an interview, indicate to the employer that you're attending PennState Altoona. Ask if it's possible to complete the interview by phone, virtually through Zoom or Teams, at the Penn State Altoona Career Services office or a company location near Altoona.
Be sure to ask each recruiter for a business card so that you can send a thank you letter to the recruiter within twenty-four to forty-eight hours of the event. Thank the recruiter for their time as well as the information provided during the event. Remind the recruiter of your school, major, and career intentions, and try to include a unique discussion point that might help the recruiter to remember your conversation. Typically, candidates who take the time to follow up with a thank you letter stand out for the recruiter.