Getting Ready for the
QU Career Fair

What to expect at a career fair

• Employers with materials about their company and jobs/ internships
• Representatives who will speak with you about future opportunities Do some research first:


Know your employers.

Pick up a list of employers expected at the career fair from your college career center and focus your research on the three or four that interest you most. Go to the fair knowing something about each of these companies. Good research will make every other tip in this article easier to accomplish.


Know what you want.

What position or department are you interested in? You can get this kind of information while doing your research. Saying, "I'll take anything," or "I don't know," to a recruiter shows a lack of research.


Dress the part.

This is your first impression on the employer—you want to look like a professional.
Employers say a common mistake students make is not being dressed professionally.


Pack your credentials.

Be able to supply potential employers with: a resume, and a completed job application (* if the employer prefers, complete the application online ahead of time).

Submit your Application
Online in Advance


Many employers track every applicant submitting a resume, in order to comply with Affirmative Action requirements. 

In many cases, recruiters will refer you to their website and not speak with you until you have submitted a resume on-line via their website.



Bottom
Line: Select the employers you most wish to talk
Bot
with in advance of the career fair. Go to their websites and submit your application before you attend the fair- if you see a job or internship of interest to you.

Mind Your Manners


Carry your credentials in a professional way. A neat folder is fine. A small briefcase works well too. Stow your coat, backpack, and other gear in the recreation center.



Come early. Don't arrive 30 minutes before the end of the day and expect

to talk to employers. Some will have planes to catch; others will be tired and ready to wind up a long day of chatting with students. Come early while employers are fresh—and hit the booths of employers you are most interested in working for first.


Give them a strong handshake and a positive attitude . Greet each employer with a smile and an enthusiastic 30-second introduction – your name, your major, and your career interests as they relate to their company.



Pick up the cards. Collect business cards from recruiters you speak to.
Jot notes on the recruiter and the company on the back of the card. Use those notes—and the information on the front of the card—to personalize your thank-you notes.



Ask for the next step. At the end of a conversation with a recruiter, ask what the next step is in the application/ hiring process.

The 30 Second Elevator
Speech

Follow the formula:
 Name
 Class

(senior, junior, sophomore)

 Major
 Opportunities

that you are seeking
 Relevant experience (work, internship, volunteer work)  Highlights of skills and strengths
 Knowledge of the company

Practice to perfection


Don’t “wing it!”



Here’s an example:
Hello. My name