Career Fair Success Tips Make a Connection | Refine Your Goals | Discover New Opportunities

Before the Fair REFINE YOUR RESUME RESEARCH EMPLOYERS Have an advisor review it ahead of time to make sure it showcases your strengths. It should be error-free and graphically pleasing. Bring plenty of copies with you. Review the information on our website www.oit.edu/career in the Resumes and Cover Letters section for suggestions, or bring it into Career Services for specific advice. RESEARCH EMPLOYERS Check your Handshake account in the Events section for a list of employers that will be at the Career Fair or for other locations check the career fair’s website. Don't limit yourself based on industry: for example, hospitals need IT help and state agencies need marketers. The single most important thing you can do to make a positive impression on a recruiter is to ask specific questions about the company. Show them that you have done your homework and really have a genuine interest in what they do. They will probably want to know what you know about their organization and why you are a strong fit. Read their websites in depth, and also visit other sites like Glassdoor.com and LinkedIn.com. PRACTICE YOUR PITCH It's helpful to practice talking about yourself ahead of time, as it feels very unnatural to many students when they are getting started. Start with your name, your major, what excites you about what you are studying, and the type of opportunity you are seeking. Then talk about how what you've done in the classroom, in projects or in other experiences, that has prepared you to make a contribution to whatever the firm does. PREPARE YOUR OUTFIT Treat a career fair as you would a job interview. Remember that conservative is the theme; colors and patterns should reflect this. The key element is to look sharp, be clean and have a positive attitude and pleasant personality. You want recruiters to remember your skills and abilities, not your clothing or tattoos! Remember too that employers are making judgments on their first impression of you, so make it a great one. Hang up your coat and your backpack if possible. No jeans, sneakers, sweats, or hats. Make sure your hair (including facial hair if applicable) is clean and neat. Do not wear cologne - some people are allergic. Employers’ #1 request

During the Fair HANG UP YOUR BACKPACK BE STRATEGIC FIRST IMPRESSIONS It makes you look much more professional. BE STRATEGIC Arrive early. Employers sometimes talk to hundreds of students during career fairs. Speaking to them before they get burnt out could give you an edge. Plan on first speaking to the recruiters at the top of your list. There may be long lines for the most popular employers at the fair. DO NOT talk on your cell phone while you are waiting in line. This is disrespectful to those around you and considered unprofessional by many recruiters. If you have plenty of time, you may consider talking to recruiters you are less interested in first, just for practice. FIRST IMPRESSIONS Smile as you approach the recruiter and offer them a firm (but not bone-crushing) handshake. Introduce yourself by speaking in a clear and articulate manner. Offer your 30 second "pitch" about yourself. Maintain good eye contact and smile. Employers want to see that you can be friendly and outgoing. Remember to ask relevant questions and ask for their business card. DON’T BE PUT OFF Some students return from a career fair thinking it was a big waste of time when employers tell them to apply online. Don’t be confused – ALL candidates have to apply online. If you don’t take this step, they can’t initiate your application and your efforts will be for nothing. Once you apply, they can flag your application if you impressed them at the fair.

After the Fair TAKE NOTES FOLLOW UP CONNECT WITH US! After the career fair is over, jot down notes about conversations you had with company representatives. If you wait too long, the conversations will start running together in your head and you’ll forget what you said to whom. FOLLOW UP Are you interested in opportunities? Do apply online, it’s normally required. If recruiters shared their business cards, write brief thank you e-mails. Make sure to reiterate your qualifications and interest in an on-site interview. If you were not able to speak to a firm that you wanted to, you may leave your resume with them, or contact Career Services and we can see if we can help connect you. CONNECT WITH US! Connect with Career Services for more tips and advice! Make an appointment on Handshake See our website: www.oit.edu/career-services