Career Fair Prep

View upcoming career and internship fairs on our events page.

Overview

Many people assume career fairs are just for jobs and internships. While that may be a strong focus, we think there is a lot more they have to offer.

  • Career fairs give you an opportunity to meet with employers face to face, which is not always assured when you apply for a job.
  • Putting a face to your application materials gives you a better chance of securing an interview in the future.
  • You’re able to network outside of the context of applying for a specific position, which gives you a chance to ask questions, share what you’re passionate about and looking for, and to learn more about directions you may have not yet considered.
  • Being able to gather business cards, make connections, and add recruiters or representatives to your network helps you build a valuable list of contacts.
  • Talking to multiple people can increase your understanding of important trends, challenges, or opportunities in your target field.
  • It’s also a great way to practice your conversational and interview skills, without the pressure of applying for a specific job.

How to Prepare for a Career Fair

To make the most of your career fair experience, it’s best to dedicate some time to preparation. There are several steps you can take beforehand to make your time at the event useful and productive. The more you can fit in, the better your experience will be.

Research Employers Before You Go

Be prepared to speak with employers at career fairs! You can impress employers and find opportunities by doing research about them beforehand. 

In advance of the fair, find the list of companies/organizations who will be attending (usually available on Handshake) and decide who you are most interested in. 

Consider:

  • What questions you’d want to ask about their work, mission, or clients.
  • Things you’d like to know about the company’s culture or hiring process.
  • What qualities or skills they typically look for in applicants.

Pro tip: At the fair, you can discreetly look up a company on your phone before you introduce yourself so you can engage in a well-informed conversation. 

Prepare for Employer/Recruiter Conversations

Develop a 15-second introduction (often called your “elevator pitch”) and make sure you know it well. It should highlight your key skills, abilities, and interests, as well as some benefits you can provide the organizations or companies you want to meet. 

This doesn't need to be a word-for-word script. Leave room for natural pauses, especially as you approach an employer, shake hands, and exchange names. 

Introduce yourself and try to make a connection with the employer. Welcome them to UMass Amherst, show enthusiasm, and have your resume ready. 

Be prepared to talk (and answer questions) about your career interests, academic focus, and extracurricular experiences, and how they connect to the employer’s needs.

You might end your introduction with a question to keep the conversation going, such as: "What projects are your interns working on?" or "What do you like most about working for X company?"

Ensure You Have Your Resume Ready

Once you know who you want to prioritize, you can make sure your resume is ready to share. There is no place to make copies at the fair, so bring a few more than you think you’ll need. You can put them in a folder, binder, or notebook to keep them neat and organized. 

If you need to work on your resume, update your experiences, or get a second set of eyes for proofreading purposes, check out our Resume Guide or schedule a resume review.

Select Your Outfit

Many students will dress up for a career fair, and some employers may expect students to dress more formally than they usually do. First impressions are important, and an employer may be more likely to take an interest if you are dressed in business casual clothing. Wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident.

On the day of the career fair, if you realize you forgot to dress for the occasion, that’s okay. It is better to go than to not go! 

If you need inspiration check out Isenberg’s Dressing for Success resource and remember that all UMass students can build a full outfit for free using the UMass Professional Wardrobe Closet.

Developing Your Fair Strategy

Typically career fairs are busiest during lunch hour, so come early when possible. Walk the fair alone or with a friend. Fairs close promptly at publicized ending times to accommodate employer travel arrangements, but some recruiters will leave early if they already have enough candidates for their positions.

Don’t Start With Your First Employer Choice

If your schedule allows, you may find it easiest to start with the employers in which you're less interested. This will help you practice your introduction and ease any nervousness you may be feeling. 

Remember:

  • It’s okay to pay attention to the conversations around you, as long as you are discreet and polite.(This can be a great way to see different examples of how students introduce themselves and learn about employers.)
  • Balance preparation with making sure you have enough time to talk with your top picks. 
  • You may have little time to spend at the fair or may need to wait in line to speak with certain recruiters.

Talk Before Grabbing Giveaways

If you want to be taken seriously as a potential future hire, make sure you prioritize talking with the representatives at a table before taking any freebies. 

Offer  your introduction, ask or answer questions, and share your resume…then snag one of those flashing pens or cool T-shirts. This conveys that your first priority is the employer, while also being interested in what they brought to the table.

Take Notes and Follow Up

For the employers you are most interested in (i.e., the ones on your target list or new ones you discover), it’s okay to inquire about potential opportunities, the application process, and other people you could reach out to at the organization. The representative at the fair may not be able to answer all your questions and may be able to suggest additional contacts. 

Before you engage with a new table, it’s a good idea to jot a few notes down after each conversation. It could be something you learned, something you shared about yourself, or a memorable part of your discussion.

Note any relevant upcoming employer information sessions, on-campus interviews, and projected hiring deadlines. To really stand out, ask for a business card, and within 24 hours send a short, professional thank you email. 

Remember

The four key ingredients to a successful career fair are:

  1. Doing research beforehand so that you know your target employer(s) well.
  2. Matching what you highlight about your skills and experience to the employer’s needs.
  3. Asking interesting and relevant questions.
  4. Showing your genuine enthusiasm and interest.

If you want to talk further about any of these steps or to practice your pitch, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with us using Handshake.

Resources