Before the Fair:
1. Know what your goal is for attending the fair. Are you looking for a full time position? Are you exploring various career industries and opportunities? Investigating specific companies? Practicing networking skills?
2. Research career fields and job titles of interest. Establish a realistic expectation of the careers you are considering by researching job titles and reviewing the posted job descriptions, requirements, promotion possibilities, salary ranges, and benefits for various positions.
3. Research companies, agencies and organization that will be attending the career fair. Know in advance the organizations who will be attending the career fair and what positions will be open; and when searching their site, find out current information/happenings within the company that would be a great conversation topic for the career fair - you will be a memorable contact for the employer!
4. Dress for Success! Make sure hair is cut and professional, wear a confident smile, light makeup, clean shave,and little jewelry. For men, suit and tie in conservative colors; dress shoes and calf-high socks. For women, dress suit or suit jacket with conservative skirt (no higher than 2 inches above knee), pressed and professional conservative blouse, and two-inch pumps.
5. Make a good impression. Prepare to take with you a well-written resume, draft a sample thank you letter for follow up after the career fair, develop a list of questions to ask employers based on your research, know what skills are needed for your career, prepare/practice/rehearse your "30 second" commercial, and prepare a career log to record your efforts of job search and companies you have researched.
6. Anticipate problems. Bring an umbrella in case of bad weather. Consider the time needed to travel, park, and maybe walk to the career fair location.
