by Insight Global Staff
Career fairs can be intimidating, but they’re a great way to network and learn about potential employers.
Whether it’s the competition with other job seekers or knowing how to pitch yourself that scares you, this post will teach you how to prepare for a career fair and help you eliminate some of those job search nerves.
1. Prepare to Talk to Employers
Start by researching which companies will be attending the career fair. Make a shortlist of the ones that interest you the most!
- Which companies have open positions in your desired field?
- Check their Glassdoor pages. Do they have one? If so, read the reviews and see if their employees enjoy working there.
- Look into the perks and benefits they offer.
Once you’ve selected the companies you want to focus on, draft your elevator pitch and practice it!
2. Dress for Success (But Also Comfort)
Career fairs are typically held at large convention centers or event halls, and they usually require a couple of hours of walking around and standing. Wear comfortable shoes, and don’t forget to bring a tote bag or something to carry all the informational pamphlets you’ll likely get from employers.
If the career fair is in the summer or spring, choose a lightweight outfit to stay cool and comfortable.
3. Create (or Update) Your Resume
Is your resume up to date and in a good place? You’ll want to make sure it is before attending a career fair.
It should be concise but detailed, outlining all your relevant work experience, extracurricular activities, club participation, unique skills, and anything that shows you’d be an excellent addition to their workforce. Don’t forget to include your contact information, LinkedIn page, or any professionally-oriented social media accounts or portfolios.
If you’re attending a career fair in person, print multiple copies of your resume. And always print more than you think you’ll need. You never know who you might end up speaking with that wasn’t on your list.
4. Ask The Right Questions
It’s okay to ask about benefits and perks at a job fair, but don’t make that your focus when talking to potential employers.
Ask impactful, value-driven questions like:
- How does your company support professional development and career growth?
- How often do you promote from within?
- How is job performance evaluated? How often?
- What skills or traits does your company value most in entry-level employees? What about mid-level and senior employees?
- What does the interview process look like at your company?
- What’s the onboarding and training process like for new hires?
5. Write Follow-Up Emails
You’ll likely gather a handful of business cards from hiring managers and talent acquisition specialists you spoke with during the career fair. Use their contact information to send them a follow-up email a day or two after the event.
A thank you and a summary of your conversation goes a long way in letting them know that you’re seriously interested in the company and the job. Use this as an opportunity to highlight some of your favorite parts of the conversation, or something you learned that you didn’t know before, and let them know that you look forward to learn about next steps.
Preparation is Key when it comes to career fairs
At Insight Global, we know how to prepare for a career fair—we attend them all the time, and our recruiters talk to candidates daily. These tips will help you stand out to employers at job fairs and increase your chances of landing an interview.
We know they can seem intimidating, but they’re great opportunities to grow your network and alleviate any initial jitters you may have about your job search! Keep an open mind throughout your experience, and you will surely see the benefit in one way or another.
Interested in pursuing a career in sales or recruiting? Insight Global is hiring nationwide! Visit us here to learn more.
by Alexandra Woodford 
