Preparing for a Career Fair

Workshops The How to Get the Most out of Career Fair workshop can help you make the best use of your time at the October 10th Career Fair. Monday, , October 2, 3:15pm Location: Tresidder, Cypress N & S Information Packets Available in the CDC Library: Curriculum Vitae Resumes and Cover Letters for Masters Level Students Career Planning Guide (a CDC publication)

Prepare for our career fair online! Through this website, you can prepare for the October 10th career fair. Review sample resumes and cover letters, see who's coming, and even find a map of the career fair so you'll know where to find them. Organizations participating in Career Fair Map of career fair 2000. (In PDF format) Information Packets Available on this website in PDF format: Writing Your Resume Writing Effective Cover Letters Interviewing Strategies

Career Fair Slide Shows. See what takes place at our Career Fairs:

What is a Job Fair?

Job fairs, also referred to as career fairs are usually one day events set up to connect large numbers of employers with job fair participants. Employers are there to recruit employees, so if you are interested in looking for a job or finding out more about a potential career don't miss out. Career Fairs are typically sponsored by universities, professional associations, local employment agencies or by a job fair promoter.

Job fairs are usually free to those seeking employment. These fairs are held at local universities, hotels, and conference centers. To find out about upcoming events check your campus career center, the radio stations and newspapers. The National Business Employment Weekly's event calendars lists many such fairs. Some fairs are targeted for entry-level, technical, education or other specified groups and may be advertised through your campus clubs and organizations.

What can I expect?

You can expect anywhere from 25 to 350 plus employers represented at different booths or tables. Employer representatives are anxious to give away their company brochures and other promotional materials (key chains, pens, notepads etc.) they have brought with them. Their job is to meet as many attendees as possible and promote their organizations to YOU. It is likely that the table you want to approach will be crowded - be patient and observe. You can also expect a carnival type atmosphere with lots of background noise with which you will have to compete.

Numerous fair organizers will offer formal group presentations simultaneous to the job fair. This is a great way to learn more about a specific topic and also have a chance to introduce yourself to an employer/presenter and get some individual attention.

Benefits of a job fair

Consider a job fair to be one-stop shopping. What a luxury to have the opportunity to talk to numerous employers at one time and place. Some direct benefits of attending a career fair include:

• An efficient and economical way to make contacts.
• Learning more about specific industries, careers and organizations.
• Actually talking to a company representative instead of just mailing in or submitting an on-line resume.
• Asking someone in the field for feedback about your resume, education or experiences.
• Making a company contact.

Of course, if a job fair is such a good deal then there may be hundreds to thousands of other people just like you trying to talk to employers. This is why it is so important to BE PREPARED to get the most out of attending a job fair.

Some fairs allow time for employers to schedule interviews on-site, but many use the time to screen applicants or collect resumes to bring back to their organization. It is ideal to be able to engage the recruiter in a conversation so that they will remember you and your skills. Do not be discouraged if this does not happen, there can be numerous people to compete with in this setting. In the very least, use your time to collect valuable company information via conversation and company materials so that you can write an incredible well informed cover letter stating your interest in an organization.

Do your homework. Contact the organization sponsoring the event and find out some of the following details:

• Is there an admission fee?
• How many companies will be represented?
• Is there a published list available ahead of time or on the day of the event?
• How will the employers be organized? alpha order, by industry etc.?
• What is the starting and ending time of the event?
• What is the dress?
• Are there any special procedures to participate? (This is rare)

Put together your resume. You may have a dichotomy of interests and in that case it may be ideal to have different versions of your resume. Be realistic in your preparation time and remember that it is most important to have a well polished resume which shows off your education, skills and experiences. Be sure to have your resume critiqued by at least three people. It is better to attend without a resume than to NOT attend the job fair at all. At least in this case you can pick up pertinent information about an organization to apply later.

Have a plan. It is very eay to feel intimidated at such an event. Wandering around aimlessly will only enhance this feeling. Have a plan - even if your only plan is to explore. This will help you to have some idea as to which organizations you want to approach. An example of a plan may be geographic, industry based, or by majors requested. Many organizations will publicize the types of majors or job titles they are seeking. Be open-minded and flexible, you might be surprised what you find out.

• Bring a pen, folder, note pad and/or some sort of log sheet (see below) to keep your self organized.
• A highlighter can be useful to help indicate which organizations you want to target on your employer list. A list of employers attending the October Career Fair can be found in the cdc employer lists and surveys page.

Bring your pertinent questions. Your questions will depend on your goals (career exploration vs. job search). Sample questions include:

What qualities and background are you looking for in employees?

What courses would you recommend someone take before being hired as a ______________?

What is the application process for your organization?

Do you have a business card I could have for future reference and contact?

 Back to the top.

Hand out your resume. Have plenty of copies of your polished resume easily accessible (if you chose to distribute your resume). You don't want to have to put down all of the "freebies" you collected to hand someone your resume.

Thank employers for any brochures or promotional materials you were given. This is not a time to pick up holiday gifts or stocking stuffers for your family, be reasonable with your consumption of recruiter giveaways.

Collect business cards and jot down a fact on the back to jog your memory when you write a follow-up letter.

Approach a company representative and introduce yourself. Don't sit back and wait to be approached. Shake hands, make good eye contact and tell the employer your name, major and your interests. The more focused you are the better. If you are unsure how you would fit into the organization, ask the employer open ended yet specific questions. What qualities do you look for in your employees. What kind of summer internships are available?

Create a one minute commercial as a way to sell yourself to an employer. This is a great way to introduce yourself. The goal is to connect your background to the organization's need. In one minute or less you need to introduce yourself, demonstrate your knowledge of the company, express enthusiasm and interest, relate your background to the company's need.

Other do's and don'ts:

• be assertive without being rude
• be sensitive to others waiting behind you
• realize that recruiters like to talk to groups
• maximize your time at the career fair
• observe other students/employers for clues
• don't ask about salary and benefits
• don't monopolize someone's time
• don't ask what do you have for my major?
• don't exhibit a lack of direction and focus

III AFTER - the follow-up

You are only as good as your follow up!

Keep track of those companies and representatives with whom you spoke.

Send a thank you letter to those representatives you wish to pursue. This will set the stage for future correspondence.

DRESS appropriate! Professional is best unless it is a more casual event.

 Back to the top.

CAREER FAIRS
sponsored by
Stanford's Career Development Center

Unlike most job fairs, Stanford's Career Fair is very casual and employers also tend to dress down. Although informal, do remember that these are potential employers and distasteful dress and decorum is not appropriate.

Stanford's Career Development Center sponsored job fairs are free to job seekers. Participating employers are made available prior to the event on the CDC web page. The employer information includes , type of position seeking: technical vs. non-technical, full-time, part-time or internships, and VIS A status.

Fall Quarter - The Career Fair is held in White Plaza. This is the largest on campus job fair with over 300 employers. It is very crowded. Due to it's location people must walk by and usually will take the opportunity to talk to employers.
October 10, 2000

Winter Quarter - The Liberal Arts and Internship Fairs are held in Tresidder Union . Day one focuses on Not-for-Profit Organizations and Day 2 focuses on For-Profit Businesses. Although less crowded than the fair in White Plaza you can expect the same set up with recruiters and tables.
February 14 (Day One) & 16 (Day 2) 2001

Spring Quarter - Job Connection Day is also held in Tresidder Union and unlike the other two fairs, employers must have a position available to participate. If you need summer or full-time work when spring quarter approaches you won't want to miss this event.
April 14, 2001

Sample Job Fair Log Sheet

Additional Resources :

"Selling Your Stuff" The Wet Feet Press Mini-Insider Guide to Career Fairs