Career Fair Tips

Do you want to learn about specific employers, explore your career options, or research the demand for your field and your skills? Do you want to make a one-on-one contact with someone in a specific company? Do you want to practice your interviewing skills in an informal situation? Do you want to apply directly for job or internship openings? All this and more can be accomplished at the Career And Job Information Fair.

Numerous organizations will be represented. Representatives will be standing or seated by tables set up in booths. When you enter, pick up an employer list and a map of the layout of the exhibit booths. By studying the map, you'll be able to tell where each organization is located. We advise that you take a few minutes to become familiar with the layout and mark the location of the employers that interest you.

Dress as you would for an interview, in appropriate business attire. Make sure your clothes are clean and well pressed. Bring a minimum of twenty copies of your resume. Carry a portfolio or business notebook to hold resumes and a notepad to jot down information and questions you'd like to ask recruiters. Plan where you'll put company literature and the business cards you'll collect at the fair.

The "Pathways to Your Future" Career & Job Information Fair exhibitor list page is the best resource to find out who will be at the career fair. A listing will be updated and regularly before the date of the event. And when researching a company you can find some company home pages listed in the Employment Resource links to Portland/Vancouver's major employers.

You may also want to do further research by reviewing company literature in the Career Center and reviewing books and directories in the campus libraries.

Target and prioritize specific companies. Identify three to five companies of greatest interest to you. Plan to talk first with lower priority companies on the list so you can rehearse your presentation before talking with your top priority companies.

Ask for a business card and inquire about the best way to follow-up on your interest in their company. After the Career Fair, you'll want to write a short thank-you letter to each employer with whom you spoke, thanking them for their time and reiterating your interest in their opportunities. Send another copy of your resume with the thank you note.

Typically you will spend only three to seven minutes with each employer. To make the most of the Job Fair, you will need to approach the employers, introduce yourself, and discuss your strengths and how they match the employer's needs. To communicate all this information in a short amount of time, preparation AND practice is essential! Practice with a friend or in front of a mirror until you feel comfortable. It's important to appear confident and enthusiastic.
Be direct. Introduce yourself with a firm handshake and a smile. Give your name and tell where and what you are studying. Mention the types of opportunities in which you are interested and describe the skills and experiences you would bring to the position. If there is time, you may want to ask questions about the company and their opportunities to further underscore your interest.

Don't apologize for lack of experience, rather mention how your academic studies and interests apply to the opportunities the employer has available. Answer questions clearly and concisely. Have your resume available and offer a copy to the representative.

This meeting creates a crucial first impression; making a good impression requires preparation and practice!

Include the following: work-related and voluntary experiences, including course projects, outside activities that demonstrate broad interests, leadership and communication skills, computer skills, foreign language fluency, international travel and living experiences.

For examples, review the resumes in the Career Center's books. You may also want to review the examples in the Sample Resume hand out in the Employment Services Center. Once you have a draft, you can have it reviewed by one of our employment specialists in the Employment Services Center, which is also a WorkSource Affiliate site.

Don't forget that we will have an area where human resource professionals will be at the Job Fair throughout the afternoon to personally critique your resume and conduct a mock interview with you, if you wish. This is done, however, on a first-come, first-served basis.


Be yourself and don't forget to smile!