A professional resume is important to career fair success. A well-developed resume
will show recruiters you are serious about your career and internship search. Get
just-in-time resume and other career fair prep tips during drop-in hours!
Research, research, research!
You likely won't get to visit all the employers at the event. Develop a plan by viewing
the list of registered employers first, then prioritize your top 5-10 employers. If
you have time remaining, visit other employers. Set a stretch goal to meet new employers.
You never know where opportunity exists. Spend some time researching the company and
most recent news about their industry.
Practice your handshake and 30 sec. intro to use upon approaching recruiters at the
fair.
Hi, I'm Tom Tiger, a junior Computer Science student interested in applying my Java
programming skills in the packaging industry. Last summer, I interned with a mid-size
company working with the CTO on a major software update of their vendor database. I would love to be considered
for full-time opportunities at your company. Please tell me more about your recruiting
process.
Tips for Career Fair Success
Have your UofM Student ID out and ready for easy check-in.
Grab a map of employers and locate the organizations you researched earlier.
Keep your resumes neat and clean in a professional portfolio.
Turn off your phone and do not use it while meeting recruiters.
Open the conversation with your elevator pitch and a firm handshake.
Offer your resume and request a business card for follow up.
Ask recruiters about the online application process as some cannot accept hard copy
resumes.
Keep an open mind to companies not on your target list. You never know where opportunity
may exist.
Share your feedback with Career Services. Volunteers will ask you to complete an evaluation
upon exiting the fair.
After the fair, send follow up emails to recruiters you met. Thank them for attending
and express your interest in the organization and positions. This is a great way to
stand out!
