Four Steps to Career Fair Networking

ELIfe

Career Fair Prep
Perfect your resume.
Get your professional dress ready (typically business casual or business dress).
Practice introducing yourself.
Find out which employers are attending.
Research the employers you want to meet with.
Prepare specific and general questions.
What to Bring
Business cards
Padfolio, notepaper, and pen
10-15 resumes (depending on fair size)
During the Fair
Walk around to meet employers alone—you might have friends at the fair who you check in with, but don’t travel as a posse.
Limit your give-away item collecting.
Introduce yourself with a smile, a handshake (if recruiter offers a hand), and a few relevant details about yourself, your education/experience, and/or interest in the employer.
Speak slowly and confidently.
Be strategic—talk to your top three employers first, others if you have time.
Take quick breaks between rounds of visits to freshen up and take a breather.
Don’t dominate recruiters, be mindful of other students waiting in line.
Ask about opportunities and next steps if there are specific openings.
Wait for cues from recruiter regarding resumes—some will be collecting them, others might direct you to follow up by e-mail, or apply online.
Get the appropriate contact information and/or ask for a business card.
Thank recruiters after speaking with them.
Take notes as soon as you walk away from a table.
After the Fair
Take a few minutes immediately after fair to sort through your notes and make a list of follow-up items.
Follow up and thank recruiters of particular interest. (You don’t have to follow up with everyone.)
Follow up with online applications, or by sending a resume and cover letter to the appropriate contact.
Reach out via e-mail or by telephone to reps who were not at fair, but who work with your level of education/field.
Set up informational interviews with individuals at companies/ ...

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