How to Make the Most of Job Fairs

Career and Student Employment Services

Learn about the variety of positions available to a student or college graduate.
Talk to someone working in your field of interest.
Gain networking and interviewing experience.
Learn about internship and/or employment opportunities.
Establish employment contacts and obtain referrals for job leads.
Obtain employment. Employers indicate that career fairs and on-campus interviewing are among the top five ways they find new hires.

Know your objective. Decide whether you are seeking full-time employment, co-op, internship, or networking contacts.
Create a personal commercial to introduce yourself and present your qualifications.
Review the list of employers coming to the fair.
Select the top five employers you are interested in and visit them first.
Research employers before visiting their tables
Develop a short list of questions to ask recruiters.
Prepare at least 20 copies of your resume on resume paper to leave with recruiters.
Be prepared to interview on the spot, but do not expect an individual interview.
Pack a pen, a notepad, and small breath mints (no chewing gum).
Plan to arrive early while employers are fresh.
Dress professionally.

Behave professionally, even in elevators, corridors, parking lots, and restrooms.
If you come with a friend, separate at the door and approach each employer by yourself.
Be organized – carry a portfolio or briefcase; avoid digging in a backpack for your resume.
Wait until the employer asks for your resume.
Maintain professional space and behavior when approaching the employer’s table. Avoid taking “freebies” until after your conversation.
Use good eye contact, a strong handshake, and body language that projects confidence.
Speak naturally – avoid presenting your personal commercial like a speech.
Ask open-ended questions; avoid obvious questions or questions about salary/benefits.
Collect business cards and organizational literature.
Ask the preferred way for you to follow up and thank the recruiter by name.
Immediately after speaking with employers that interest you, document what you have learned to follow up appropriately.

Send a thank you letter or email to employers you have a high level of interest in, not necessarily everyone you met.
Follow up with a cover letter and resume to employers you are interested in. Mention you met their representative at WMU.
File away the literature you have collected. It can be helpful later in writing cover letters or preparing for interviews.
Improve your resume if you learned something that better reflects your qualifications or focus.
Maintain contact with employers – perseverance pays off.