Nail your career fair visit with these easy tips

Career fairs are an excellent way to learn more about companies and network with potential employers. Whether you are there to secure a summer internship, land a job following graduation, or gain further perspective into companies, being well prepared for a career fair is paramount to achieving success.

Virginia Tech’s Career and Professional Development has resources and staff available help and keeps a complete list of upcoming career fairs.

Just go

Kassee Sosa, career advisor for Career and Professional Development, advises students to begin attending career fairs as early as possible.

“Even if students aren’t looking for an experience or don’t feel like they have enough previous experience to obtain an internship or part-time job, it’s great to get in there early,” Sosa said. The experience “exposes students to what a career fair can look like and can be a great way to network in the industry a student is interested in for future experiences.”

Don't limit yourself to career fairs in your major

While it might be tempting for students to only consider career fairs that are specific to their majors, students should look at career fairs outside of their majors and consider the complete list of employers that will be in attendance.

Sosa said that oftentimes employers also are recruiting for positions outside of the industry that the company is in. For example, an engineering company attending the Engineering Expo might also be looking for a marketing intern in addition to engineering positions. This is why it’s important to research the specific companies that are attending to see what openings are available and in what field, she said.

Dress appropriately

Career fairs typically have a dress code of business casual or business professional, and adhering to the suggested dress code is a crucial part of positively presenting yourself. To learn more about the specific dress code of an individual career fair, visit the career fair event postings on Handshake.

Still searching for the perfect professional outfit? Check out Virginia Tech’s Career Outfitters Closet. Students can book a 15-minute appointment but should plan to spend a half hour to browse, try on, and select donated professional clothes. This service is free for Virginia Tech students. Appointments can be scheduled through Handshake.

Be prepared

There are several steps students can take to be prepared for career fairs:

• Getting a good night’s rest prior to the fair will help ensure alertness and reduce stress the day of the event.
• Consider arriving early with all of your materials to prevent rushing, especially if the building is unfamiliar.
• Making a plan for which booths to visit and in what order can help students make the most of their time at the career fair.
  
  

Perfect your pitch

Perfect a quick elevator pitch before the career fair. Elevator pitches, which range from 30 seconds to a minute, are a brief introduction of yourself.

“An elevator pitch consists of information regarding a student’s studies, their previous work experiences, and campus involvement,” said Sosa. She suggests that students research ahead of time to see what employers are going to be at the career fair and create specific questions for each company representative they plan to speak with.

Appointments are available for students to practice their elevator pitches and interviewing tactics with a member of the Career and Professional Development staff.

Update your resume  

Resumes should be updated and polished prior to attending a career fair. Make sure all information is accurate, current, and typo-free. Find information regarding resume formatting and content. In-person and Zoom appointments with the Career and Professional Development staff are available for resume reviews and support.

Project positive body language

Present yourself positively and in a professional manner with a strong handshake, good posture, and a confident tone of voice. Practice your introduction in front of a mirror or with a friend beforehand.

Sosa advises students to present themselves in a friendly manner, make sure they are actively listening to the recruiter they are speaking to, and to be themselves.

Alleviate jitters

“Preparing adequately for a career fair can help tremendously with reducing stress,” said Sosa. To help alleviate career fair jitters, Sosa recommends first going to an employer that feels a little lower stakes. That way, when a student gets to an employer that they are really excited to speak to, they have already built their confidence a bit.

Break the ice

Because the recruiters at career fairs know you’re nervous, try starting up a little bit of a conversation with them. Sosa recommends asking them about their travels to Blacksburg, how their day has been, and if they’re a Virginia Tech alumni. This can help break the ice and start a natural conversation.

Written by Anja Hemesath, a senior and a student writer for Virginia Tech Communications and Marketing