How to Work a Career Fair

The Fairs are coming! We have a great line up of employers, and I want you to make a good impression on them. Here are some tips that will help:

1. Identify your target jobs

There will be over 50 employers at each Fair (Science and Technology on Oct. 21 and Business and Beyond on Oct. 22), all offering different jobs. If you want to be a management trainee or an accountant, you will need to know which employers offering those positions. Visit career.ucsb.edu and drill into the Career Fairs link until you find the list of Participating Employers at the fair you’ll be attending. There you will find a description of the employer, a description of the jobs they are offering and a link to their web site. In some cases, you may have a particular employer for whom you want to work and will want to research that employer. But if you are seeking a particular type of job, then you will want to check out each employer to see if they are offering the type of position that interests you. For example, if you want to go into management, you can gain valuable training in a management training program in a retail firm, a car rental agency or an insurance company. Keep an open mind and your eye on the prize.

2. Target three to five employers offering the types of positions you are seeking

To make the most effective use of your time, choose your targets. While you may want to visit and talk to all of the employer that are there, be sure you know which employers are your top choices and be sure you get to them.

3. Research the employers

While you are interested in gaining work experience, and may not have a strong preference for where you gain it, employers are generally very proud of their company and what it has to offer. You will be joining their team, and they want you to be invested in the company too. This will evolve as you become a member of that team, but you need to show some initial interest in their company’s products or services. Study your targets and be ready to talk to the employers about their company. You don’t need to be an expert – just informed. “What does your company do?” is not a good question for a career fair.

4. Prepare your resume

You will want to bring copies of your resume with you. (You won’t need a cover letter at a career fair.) It is important that is completely error free and looks presentable. Employers usually gather over 30 resumes at a fair, and you want yours to stand out. If you don’t have one, you can draw one up in a few hours. Pick up a Career Manual at Career Services, use the models as a guide for drawing up yours, then bring it to Career Services for a critique. Resume critique services are available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For a professional critique, attend Resumania on October 16, where we have employers lined up to give you feedback.

5. Dress the part

You don’t need to wear a suit (though many students do), but at least wear presentable, business attire. Shorts, hoodies, torn shirts and overly revealing attire are all taboo. And don’t look like you rolled out of bed five minutes ago. Remember, these employers are looking for team members who will be representing their companies to their customers, business partners and vendors. Look the part.

6. Prepare a one to three minute intro

Employers at these events are chosen because they are good at meeting people. They will do their best to make you comfortable when you meet them. But it is up to you to make a good impression. Create you “elevator speech” – a one to three minute intro that gives them the highlights of what you bring with you to their company. Let them know you’ve done your homework and know their company, and that they are the ones of strong interest to you.

7. Have fun

This is kind of a professional version of speed dating. You’ll get to meet and learn about several potential employers and make some preliminary decisions about which companies will be the best fits for you. While there is no one best company or job for you, there will be better and not so good options. This is your chance to find out if there is chemistry between you and a particular company that may pay a large role in your future.

Micael Kemp is the director of Career Services at UCSB.