Job Search:
Corporate Events/Career Fairs

Before you attend a corporate event, there are some details to consider. Please remember that it is important to establish rapport with the corporate representative. Also, remember that each interaction with an employer is a chance to make a good impression—dress accordingly and be professional. (See Dress for Success for more information.)

Asking Questions at Corporate Events

Questions should be company-specific. Do your research on the company, find out what you can online, and develop targeted questions that get you the information you want to know and that demonstrate your interest. (For guidelines on questions, see the Interviewing section of this Guide.)

Ineffective Questions to Ask at Corporate Events

Many of the following questions can be answered by doing basic research on the company:

Does your company have any jobs available? (Too soon in the process)
Where are your offices located? (Web site)
Are you hiring? (Oversimplified)
How much do you pay new grads? (Inappropriate, Internet)
How is your company organized? (Web site)
I'm interested in doing marketing. Does your company do that? (Web site and oversimplified)
I heard your company is undergoing layoffs. Is it worth applying? (Oversimplified)
Who are your competitors? (Newspaper and magazines, Internet)
Are you getting a new CEO? (Newspaper and magazines, Internet)
Last year, I heard your company was going bankrupt. Did that happen? (Timeliness, lack of source, vague)
Is your division being spun off? (Newspaper and magazines, Internet)
Do you hire foreign nationals? (Recruiters are often turned off by this question.)
How many conference rooms do you have? (Oversimplified)
Do you have an intramural softball team? (Off-topic)

Always prepare for a corporate event as you would for an interview. Research the company and the specific position(s) for which they are recruiting (see Researching Jobs and Employers).

Q: Why is it so important to meet with recruiters at a job fair?

A: One of the best reasons to attend a job fair is that it is an easy way to get networking face time with recruiters! It's best to make a good impression and learn more about a company that you are actually interested in versus conducting a mass distribution of your resumé. Job or career fairs are great opportunities to meet many recruiters in a relatively short amount of time. You can attend job fairs to obtain general information about companies, get specific information about job openings, and develop your network of professional contacts. It's an opportunity to connect with a recruiter in a more personalized manner than simply "dropping off" your resumé.

Q: How important is it to attend company information sessions?

A: Attending a company's information session or any corporate event is extremely important. Take advantage of these events to show initiative, network, demonstrate your interest, and learn more about the company/industry. Most companies keep track of students who attend their sessions.

How to Make the Most of Your Career Fair Experience

Before the Job Fair

Find out which companies will be at the fair (if it is an SMG fair the company list can be found by checking the calendar on MiTRAC). Choose which companies you most want to target.
Research these companies and the types of positions they will be recruiting for. This will help you formulate questions to ask the recruiter that will demonstrate your interest in and knowledge of the company.
Prepare questions to ask recruiters. Topics for these questions might include procedures for applying to current and future job openings, opportunities for advancement within the company, skills necessary for specific jobs/internships, or specific information about the company.
Prepare a 30-second introduction (see the following section for more information).

At the Job Fair

Bring plenty of copies of your resumé on high-quality paper. Also bring a portfolio with a notepad so that you can carry your resumés, jot down notes, and store any company information that you pick up at the fair.
Dress professionally. (See Dress for Success for more information.)
Don't just drop off your resumé; learn more about what the company is looking for. If you are not interested in the positions for which the company is recruiting, ask about other job or internship positions that may be available.
Don't monopolize a recruiter's time. You can also learn a lot by hearing other people's questions and the recruiter's responses.
Ask each recruiter about the best way to follow up; get business cards so that you can do so.
After meeting with each recruiter, write any important notes on the back of his or her business card, such as dates of interest (i.e., when Acme, Inc. begins interviewing) and details to help you remember specific recruiters.

Communication is Critical

Be direct, visible, assertive, and ready to summarize your skills in a noisy environment.
Listen carefully to what the recruiter has to say before you respond.
Keep in mind that although the atmosphere may be casual, recruiters will already be evaluating you.
Avoid using filler words such as "um," "like," "you know."
Show confidence in your voice and body language.

After the Job Fair

Write thank-you letters to all employers with whom you spoke concerning career opportunities, especially those you most want to pursue.
Enter all information into your contact spreadsheet or database. (See Staying Organized for more information.)
Develop a networking system to keep track of names and titles, contact dates, important comments, and planned actions.

30-Second Introductions for Career Fairs

A first impression is always important in a job search. Presenting yourself at a job fair or other networking opportunity is no exception. When you approach an employer, you should be prepared to introduce yourself clearly and concisely with a firm handshake. You should be prepared to give a quick overview of your qualifications and skills and to ask relevant, intelligent questions. In your introduction, be sure to mention your name, school, degree, and concentration.

You will first need to determine the role of the contact with whom you are speaking. It might be a Human Resources representative collecting resumés for all departments within the company, or it might be a hiring manager from one specific department. If you have done your homework, you will have looked at MiTRAC to see what positions the company may have posted so that you can ask specific questions about those openings.

If this individual is not the appropriate person for you to talk with given your career interests, you should briefly explain what kind of opportunities you are seeking and ask who else within the company you should contact. Confirm how best to reach that individual, and then ask about the company in general with relevant questions. Be sure to get a business card from the representative you meet, in case you have difficulty reaching the person to whom they refer you. Also, you should mention that you met this representative when you finally speak to the appropriate recruiter.

If this individual is the right person for you to talk with, then continue the conversation by giving a brief synopsis of your background and credentials. Deliver a 30-second story of who you are and why you would be a good candidate for their company. You should include:

Any career-related experience you have had, including internships, jobs, volunteer work, or projects
Any unique skills they require that you have
Why you would be a good fit for the position and company, showing your knowledge of their needs and their corporate culture
Be sure to practice your introduction so that your story flows smoothly; it should not sound as if you just memorized lines from a paragraph

Job Search: Corporate Events/Career Fairs