What to Do Before the Career Fair
Plan Your Outfit
"I cannot control how I am perceived, I can only control how I am presented." - Tim Gunn
Appearing neat, tidy, and confident will help you make a good first impression. Make sure to check and see if the career fair you are attending recommends a specific dress code. Dressing in "Business Professional/Formal" or "Business Casual" attire can significantly help you create that positive first impression.
- Business Professional/Formal: matching suit, button-down shirt, or a formal blouse
- Business Casual: collared shirt, blouse or shirt, sweater or cardigan, khaki or dark pants, skirt or dress
- Business Casual is NOT: flip flops, sandals, gym/athleisure, jeans or shorts
Clarify Your Goals
- Clarify your goals. Do you want to get an idea about what a career fair is like, or do you want to seek employment actively? What kinds of positions are you looking for (full-time, part-time, internships, on-campus student employment, etc.?
- Don't forget to conduct online research using employer websites, Handshake, and LinkedIn.
- If you are not sure what your goals are, contact Buckeye Careers or your college's career services office.
- Determine the organizations in which you are most interested and research them online. If attending in person, print the appropriate number of resumes ahead of time (at least two per organization).
- Prepare and practice your introduction to "pitch" to employers, and prepare questions about the organization.
Learn more about career fairs and preparation on Buckeye Careers’ website.
Do Your Research
Consider the following questions before the day of the career fair:
- What time does the career fair start and end?
- Where is the career fair located? Do you need directions to the location?
- What is the dress code or expected attire?
- Which employers are attending?
- Which employers are you interested in meeting?
Many career fairs offer additional information online. At Ohio State, most career fairs can be found in Handshake or on the Buckeye Careers website.
Take time to explore the employers who are attending and establish your goals for the career fair. But also keep an open mind and consider employers you are not already familiar with.
Prepare Your Career Materials
Confirm that your resume is updated before you attend the career fair. A best practice is to have someone review your resume for you. You can also attend a resume writing workshop beforehand.
On the day of the career fair, be prepared to have your resume available and bring printed copies with you to give to employers.
A good resume:
- Has a strong visual appeal
- Uses proper verb tense
- Is concise
- Is error-free (spelling, grammar, punctuation)
- It is focused on the needs of the audience
- Articulates what skills and experience you bring to the employer
Please review the Resume and Cover Letter sections of this Career Resource Guide for more information on resume formatting and best practices.
Practice Your Elevator Pitch
Make sure you feel comfortable using your elevator pitch and you are prepared to use it when you approach employers at the fair.
Make a List of Questions
After you have completed your research and prepared both yourself and your career materials, consider any questions that remain. It is best practice to have one to two questions ready to ask an employer.
Here are some examples to get you started:
- What internship opportunities are available in your organization?
- What is the employment outlook in the field or industry right now?
- What opportunities do you have for ____ majors?
- What type of training or professional development is available at your company?
- What do you look for in candidates?
- What key skills, classwork, or experiences are highly desirable?
- Do you have any tips for success?
- I read that your company just started a project doing ______. What opportunities would an intern have in this project?
- What do you like most about your job and working for _____?