Career fairs offer great opportunities to practice networking and interviewing skills with a variety of companies. Here are some helpful tips to prepare to meet with potential employers.
Before the event
- RSVP to the event and add a reminder in your calendar
- Research the companies attending and open roles available
- Update your resume (check out the University of Minnesota’s resume resources)
- Practice introducing yourself (keep reading for more tips)
What to bring?
- Printed copies of your most up to date resume
- Download a resume template (word.doc)
- A pen and notepad
- Student ID and career fair registration materials
What to wear?
At the event
Introduce Yourself
This takes practice. Start by writing down your unique introduction, practice saying it out loud in a mirror to yourself, and then practice out loud with a close friend or family member and ask for feedback. Here are some steps to follow:
Step 1: Start by introducing yourself
- Name
- Year and school
- Program or major
Step 2: Key points that will help you standout from the crowd
- Experience
- Career interests
- Extra-curricular activities
Step 3: Share what interest you about working with them
- Do research ahead of time – go to their website or social media
- Ask specific questions and prepare them ahead of time. Here are some suggestions:
- General employer questions
- How would you describe the culture of the organization?
- How does leadership promote diversity and inclusion within the organization?
- Are there professional development opportunities?
- Does the organization encourage employees to pursue advanced degrees?
Questions about a specific team or job
- What does success look like in this role? On this team?
- How would you describe this team? The manager?
- What are the opportunities for growth in this role? On this team?
- Do managers encourage innovation and creativity?
- How do managers measure success for employees/interns?
- Take detailed notes for a follow up
After the event
Send a thank you note to the people you spoke with:
- Express gratitude for their time
- Include a specific item from your conversation
- Ask follow-up questions
Other resources
- CareerOneStop: Your source for career exploration, training and jobs
- O*Net Online
- Click here to watch a video with tips on how best to use O*Net Online
