Career Fair

If you're a junior or senior, this is a fair you won't want to miss. You'll be able to network with lots of employers and discuss current or future career opportunities.

If you're a freshman or sophomore, you should also consider attending. It can be a great way to start networking early and discover what you should be focusing on to build your resume. You might also learn about internship opportunities at the fair.

See Who's Coming

Review the list of Career Fair Attendees in the weeks before the fair. This list will be available in January and continually updated as organizations register, so be sure to check it often. Pick out which recruiters you'd like to talk to, and make sure you know where each of them are located (a map will be provided when you arrive).

Do your Research

Recruiters will be most impressed by those who show interest in and knowledge of their organization. After you decide which companies you want to visit, be sure to research those companies before you attend the fair. Check their website, ask friends and family about them, and determine whether you'd be a good fit. A great website for researching companies is Glassdoor.com.

Write a Great Resume

The Career Fair is a great place to hand out your resume to prospective employers, so you'll want to make sure you have a great one. If you need help getting started, visit our Resume Help page. We strongly recommend having your resume looked over by one of our counselors before you start handing it out. The weeks before Career Fair are usually busy, so be sure to make an appointment early.

Prepare your "Elevator Speech"

An elevator speech, as it pertains to Career Fairs, is your short "sales pitch" of why you would fit in at a certain company. It should display your skills and qualifications, and it should express your interest in a certain company. Be sure to keep it short and concise, and practice in front of other people. Check out this article on creating an Elevator Speech from Monster.com.

Attend our Seminars

In the weeks preceding Career Fair, Career Services will put on multiple seminars and information sessions on how to succeed at the fair. The dates, times, and topics will be posted on this page as they are determined. If you're feeling unprepared, it's also a good idea to meet with your career counselor to create a plan for the fair.

When talking to recruiters, you'll want to look as professional as possible. A suit (or suit skirt set for women) is the best option, but we realize that this isn't possible for everyone. At a minimum, we strongly recommend a "business casual" look. Anything more casual will make the recruiters question your professionalism and motivation.

The following are suggested for a Career Fair:

Men:

• Conservative black, navy, or grey suit
• Black or khaki dress pants
• Long sleeved, collared button-up shirt
• Business shoes (no sneakers)
• Belt to match shoes
• Well-groomed and non-distracting hair
• Little or no cologne

Women:

• Dark-colored pant or skirt suit
• Conservative dress pants
• Straight or pencil skirt of modest length (knee-length and slightly shorter/longer is acceptable)
• Simple and modest blouse or button-up shirt
• Flat dress shoes or conservative, low-heeled pumps (no open-toed shoes or sandals)
• Simple, non-distracting jewelry is acceptable
• Conservative hair style
• Natural-looking nails and makeup
• Little or no perfume

View our Dress for Success video on the right side of this page for more examples.

If you're a student at Weber State, make sure you have your Student ID card to check in. Multiple copies of a critiqued resume should be the only thing you'll need to give to recruiters. Make sure you print your resume on stationary paper, and consider having one of our career counselors look it over before the fair.

A small briefcase or professional-looking bag might also be helpful to bring; you might want to pick up promotional items and information from recruiters during the fair.

If you have any questions on what to bring to the fair, please contact your career counselor.

When you arrive at the Career Fair, check in with the people at the door. They will give you a map and a list of employers at the fair. Before talking to recruiters, map out where you want to go so you don't miss anyone. The biggest companies will have the longest lines, so plan accordingly.

When you arrive at an organization's table, give the recruiter a firm handshake and introduce yourself. Tell them your name, field of study, areas of interest, and qualifications. Offer your resume for review. Make sure you clearly express your interest in a company by offering specific examples of why you'd like to work there.

Ask about openings in your field of interest. This is the time to ask questions about requirements, application steps, and any other questions you might have about the company. This is not the time to ask the question, "So what does your organization do?" Make sure you do your research about the company before attending the fair.

After all of your questions have been answered, pick up any promotional items of interest and get the recruiter's business card. Thank the recruiter for his/her time, and give them another firm handshake. Reiterate your interest in their company if you deem necessary.

Remember, recruiters are expecting you to walk up and introduce yourself. Express confidence, experience, and professionalism, and you're bound to make a great impression.

Send a thank you note to each recruiter you talked to during the fair, especially if you are considering opportunities at their company. If applicable, include:

• something specific to their company that interests you
• a mention of what you talked about, to spark the recruiter's memory
• a brief re-statement of your most valuable qualifications
• an expression of your continued interest at their organization

If you need help writing a thank you note, feel free to contact our office.