How to Prepare for Career Fairs

August 22, 2022
How to Prepare for Career Fairs

The new academic year is right around the corner, which means a clean slate for new opportunities and experiences. If you are a U.S. or international student that is on the job hunt, career fairs can be a great place to start networking.

Nowadays, universities have been hosting career fairs both in-person and virtually, making it much easier for students to attend. Although, before attending, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind in order to prepare.

Let’s take a look at some great preparation strategies that will set you up for success.

 

1. Check out what companies are attending and do your research.

Companies from a variety of industries participate in career fairs, so it is crucial that you find those that align with your goals and field of study. Universities often release a participation list prior to the fair, so be sure to select which companies will be your priority. 

From there, dig into research about the companies you’re interested in. This includes visiting their website and pinpointing the company’s mission, objectives, core values, service offerings, and more. It may also help you to do some research on the specific industry to provide you with more knowledge. This will ensure you’re well prepared for any questions they may ask. 

 

2. Have your elevator pitch ready.

Nailing your first impression can be quite intimidating, especially since you are one potential job candidate out of many. A great tip to stand out amongst the others is to perfect and personalize your elevator pitch. 

Your elevator pitch should include an attention-grabbing introduction, an identified pain point and solution, what you do, and how you can add value to the organization. It’s important to keep this elevator pitch conversational and open. Make sure to practice this pitch out loud and ask family, friends, or professors for some feedback.

 

3. Prepare questions in advance.

Although the interactions you will have with recruiters aren’t necessarily interviews, you should still prepare a set of questions. This will help promote more conversation between you and the recruiter and will make better use of your time at the fair.

A key tip to remember is to not make your questions too general. If you can find the answer to your question on their website, don’t include it. Instead, tailor your questions towards learning more about the organization/position in a little more detail. Questions like the following are great examples:

  • What is your company culture like?
  • What professional development opportunities are available to your employees?
  • What do the first 30, 60, 90 days look like on the job?
  • What excites you about your own role at the company?


4. Revise and tailor your resume.

While we encourage you to use all of the tips within this article to prepare you for career fairs, this tip is absolutely essential. During both in-person and virtual career fairs, recruiters may ask you to either drop your resume off or send a PDF to them. This will allow them to thoroughly review your skillset, experience, education, and accomplishments to consider you for the job.

We highly recommend tailoring your resume for each potential employer. As we stated in the beginning of this article, you should research all companies you’re interested in. If you’re willing to put in time and effort, make sure to review keywords for job positions and customize your resume to fit that particular opening. Ultimately, this will differentiate yourself from other candidates who may be using a “one-size fits all” resume.

 

5. Make sure to choose the right attire.

Choosing the right attire will be important whether you are attending the career fair in-person or virtually. All in all, your attire is a big part of your first impression, can be a sign of respect for the recruiter, and shows how serious you are about being part of their team.

Avoid flip-flops, denim jeans or shorts, tank tops, tight-fitting clothing, or intense colors. For men, opt for neutral colored button-downs, polos, dress pants, polished shoes, and a tie. For women, a similar color scheme can apply. A dress, conservative skirt, blouse, flats, loafers, and pumps are a good guideline to what you will want to wear. 

All things considered, career fairs are a great opportunity to showcase yourself and your talents. With proper preparation and a positive attitude, you’ll be successful in all of your interactions with potential employers.

 

About Comrise’s International and Student Relations Program

At Comrise, our International and Student Relations Program supports bicultural students looking to kickstart their career journey in the U.S. Comrise provides a variety of services ranging from job-matching opportunities, webinars, career fairs, guidance, and so much more.  

If you’re interested in learning more, our Cross Border HR Specialist is here to help. Reach out to her through WeChat at YunfanMC, or through email at Yunfan.Li@comrise.com

Related Posts

Engineering the Future: Top Trends Shaping 2024

March 27, 2024

Engineering remains a pivotal field, merging science, math, and innovation to tackle global challenges and improve daily life. As we enter 2024, several emerging trends signify a dynamic shift in...

Malaysia: the Next Blue Ocean for Chinese Automobile Industry

March 26, 2024

  Competition in China’s domestic automobile market is intensifying. Consequently, many Chinese automobile manufacturers and parts enterprises are expanding abroad and speeding up their exploration of overseas markets. Southeast Asia...

Comrise: Your Partner in Securing the Right Talent

March 21, 2024

  What if all of your candidates meet or exceed the hiring manager’s expectations?   The demand for high-quality talents never stop.   New growth, new product or new factories...

Global Contact Information

We have offices across the globe. Please ensure that you are getting in touch with the correct office for your region.

United States

Woodbridge, NJ (Global HQ)

90 Woodbridge Center Drive Suite 360
Woodbridge, NJ 07095

Tel: 1-732-739-2330
Fax: 1-732-739-1996

Philippines

Metro Manila

1105 Raffles Corporate Center, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

Unit B12, Level 1, Menara BT, Tower 3, Avenue 7,
Horizon Phase 2, Bangsar South, No.8, Jalan Kerinchi, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel: +60-03-27794130

 

Beijing

Room 1015, 10/F, Hanweidasha Building, Guanghualu Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing,100020

Tel: +86 10 58780578

北京市朝阳区光华路7号汉威大厦东区1015室

邮编:100020
电话:+86 10 58780578

Qingdao

Room 822, 8F, Building 1, HNA Center, 234 Yan’an Third Road, Shinan District, Qingdao, China

Tel: +86 532 68669385

山东省青岛市海尔路182-8号半岛国际大厦2104室

邮编:266000
电话:+86 532 68669385

Shanghai

Room 18F/G/H, Shanghai Industrial Investment Building, No.18 Caoxi Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200030

Tel: +86 21 64270570

上海市徐汇区漕溪北路18号上海实业大厦18楼F/G/H座

邮编:200030
电话:+86 21 64270570

Chengdu

26th Floor Bldg.2,No.88 Jitai 5th Road, Xiangnian Square, Tianfu Avenue, Hi-Tech Zone, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041

Tel: +86 28 86703369

四川省成都市高新区天府大道中段吉泰五路88号香年广场T2座26层

邮编:610041
电话:+86 28 86703369

Wan Chai, Hong Kong

EA Licence no. 66051 & 64845

5/F Heng Shan Centre, 145 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 36223225

牌照号码: 66051 & 64845

香港湾仔皇后大道东145号恒山中心5楼

电话:+852 36223225

Wuhan

Room 1419, 14 / F, Building A, New World Center, No. 634, Jiefang Street, Qiaokou District, Wuhan, Hubei

Xi’an

C17, 18 / F, Block E, Chang’an International Center, 88 Nanguanzheng street, Xi’an, Shaanxi

Hefei

A11-10, 1701, Building 7, Wanda Office Building, Wuhu Road, Hefei, Anhui

Change Language