Think of a Job Fair as a chance to Interview

According to the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) and the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, the number one reason incoming students decided to go to college was “to be able to get a better job.” Of incoming students nationwide in 2009, 84.3% listed this as a “very important” reason in their decision to attend college.

A job fair can have anywhere from 50-150 companies ready to talk to job seekers. This isn't like walking into a fast food restaurant and asking for an application... the employers you'll meet at a job fair are ready to interview you!

So what does this mean to you? Prepare for a job fair like you would for a professional interview.

1. Do research on the companies you want to meet. This way you already know what they do and you can ask other questions like, "What's a typical day like for an intern?" An easy way for you to not be considered for a job is to ask what the company does. All of that information is on their website which you should have reviewed.
2. If you kept notes on the companies, consider writing them on separate index cards. This way you can easily refresh your memory about each company in between visiting each booth. And, you can also write any additional notes on the back of the card, like the name of the employer you spoke with and anything interesting you want to refer to in a thank you card.
3. Update your resume. Utilize your college career center and request a resume critique. It's important to have another set of eyes review your resume for typos and content. IPFW's Career Services center is located in Kettler Hall 109 and has drop-in hours Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm.
4. Dress to Impress! Wear a suit & tie, or pant/skirt suit for the job fair. If you dress up then you send a clear message to the employer that you're serious about working for them and can look and behave professionally.
5. Shake their hands firmly. Make a good impression with your handshake and eye contact. Avoid these types of handshakes: (images from theoatmeal.com)

Last bit of advice: FOLLOW UP WITH A THANK YOU NOTE! Make sure you get the employers' names and send them a thank you note within 24 hours. Write the note with a personal touch by mentioning something you discussed at the job fair. This helps to impress upon them your interest in the position and sets you apart from the many who won't send thank you notes.