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There are many reasons
to go to a Career Fair.
You can go to a Career Fair to
find a job, to explore career
options, explore industries,
practice networking skills and
to secure an interview.
It is very important that you
prepare in advance for a Career
Fair.
Some things that you should do
in order to prepare would be to
update your resume, register
for KU Career Connections, find
out which employer
organizations will be
attending, research the
employers you are interested in
and narrow your focus to 5-8
target organizations.
Prioritize those 5-8 target
organizations and also be open
to opportunities you haven't
thought about.
It will also be very important
for your success at the career
fair for you to Dress for
Success.
Be sure to wear a business
suit or business casual
clothing in neutral colors,
make sure your hair is clean
and well groomed, wear clean
nice shoes, ladies should wear
minimal jewelry and guys be
sure to shave.
You will need to plan ahead
for what you are going to bring
to the career fair.
You will need to bring
multiple resumes.
Some of those you will want to
customize to particular jobs
others you want to be very
general so you will have
resumes to give to employers
that perhaps you didn't think
about prior to coming to the
career fair.
You need to also bring a
portfolio or folder to keep
your resumes and other
materials in.
It's a good idea to also bring
your student business card if
you have them.
If you don't have student
business cards visit the
University Career Center to
find out how you can purchase
them at cost.
They add a nice professional
touch.
You will also need to bring
pens and paper so you can make
notes about the information you
learn from the various
organizations at the career
fair.
It is also probably a good
idea to bring a comb, breath
mints, a kleenex or
handkerchief just to make sure
that you are looking your best.
Some things you want to avoid
bringing to the career fair
would be your backpack.
If you need to bring your
backpack that is okay just talk
to the career center staff
working the career fair and
they will help you find a
location to keep your backpack
while you attend the career
fair.
You definitely don't want to
bring gum, you don't want to
approach an employer chewing
gum, so just avoid bringing gum
altogether.
Don't bring your iPod or your
cell phone as those can serve
as distractions when
interacting with recruiters.
When you arrive at the career
fair you will want to check in,
get a name tag and a career
fair map so you can locate the
organizations you are
interested in.
Before you go into the career
fair check your appearance,
take a deep breath, smile and
walk in with confidence.
Once you are in locate your
target organizations.
When you approach a recruiter
at a career fair be ready to
introduce yourself, offer a
firm handshake, tell the
recruiter about yourself and of
course smile.
We recommend you create a 30
second commercial about
yourself so you can approach
recruiters with confidence.
Tell the recruiter your name,
your major, your year in
school, your leadership
activities, your job interests
and why you are interested in
working for that organization.
Also, be ready to listen.
The recruiters will have a lot
of important information to
tell you about their
organization.
When you are interacting with
recruiters at a career fair be
sure you ask relevant questions
that can't easily be found on
the employer's website.
Also offer your resume but
don't be disappointed if a
recruiter can't accept it.
There are certain guidelines
that different employers need
to follow and not all employers
can accept a paper copy of your
resume.
They will most likely direct
you to apply on line through
their employer website.
Find out whether the
organization will be
interviewing and when and how
to apply.
Also be sure to request the
recruiters' business card or
contact information so you can
follow up with the recruiter
following the career fair.
Most importantly, thank the
recruiter for their time.
After the career fair be sure
to follow up with recruiters
whose organizations you are
interested in by sending them
thank-you notes or emails
within 24-48 hours of the
event.
Most importantly if you are
invited to interview, respond
even if you are declining the
offer to interview.