Office of Student Life
Career Resource Guide
student talking to employer at a career fair

Career Fairs

What is a Career Fair? 

A career fair (also known as a job fair or career expo) is a recruiting event in which employers and recruiters meet with potential employees, and where job seekers find out more about job openings with potential employers. 

Career fairs can be held in-person or virtually through tools like Handshake or Zoom. However, most commonly, career fairs are offered in person and are usually held in a large, open room. 

  • Build your network: Start with classmates, professors, and academic and career advisors. You can also include current and past co-workers, mentors, supervisors, or even Ohio State alumni. Don't forget to add a connection note to make the invitation more personal. 
  • Optimize yourself: Change your settings to "public" and create a unique URL (if possible) to help others find your profile. You can also start sharing and commenting on your feed to boost visibility. 
  • Share your work: Don't be afraid to add examples of your work, including writing, analysis, research papers, presentations, or poster sessions. You may also consider writing a blog post!
  • Get recommendations: Ask supervisors, professors, and coworkers to endorse your skills. Don't forget to return the favor!
  • Manage the network: Explore groups to follow, including professional organizations, industry-specific groups, and more. Newsletters can also be a great way to build industry knowledge and can provide great content to share with your network. 
  • Add to your resume: If you are looking for an internship or career opportunity, it may be helpful to add your resume to your profile. Some recruiters look through potential candidates' resumes before reaching out. That being said, be cautious about adding your resume to your profile if it contains personal information, especially if your profile is set to "public."
  • Dress your best: Make sure you have an appropriate outfit for the event. 
  • Share current information: Update your professional online profiles (Handshake, LinkedIn) so that employers are seeing your most up-to-date information. This will also be a great way to connect with employers after the fair. 
  • Keep an open mind: You may be surprised by the people you meet or the opportunities that interest you. 

Goals for the Career Fair

  • Connect with employers to collect information, submit resumes, or arrange interviews, including new, less familiar organizations, and discover unexpected opportunities. 
  • Discuss job search strategies, interviews, and resume tips with recruiters. 
  • Find a summer internship.
  • Develop a job search network- collect referrals to other departments/divisions within an organization. 
  • If you aren't looking for employment currently, it can still be helpful to attend career fairs as practice for when you are ready.