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Five Things to Take to the Career Fair

Five Things Not to Do at the Career Fair

1. Don’t cruise the booths with a group of friends. Interacting with the recruiters on your own. Make your own positive impression!

2. Don’t carry your backpack, large purse, or other paraphernalia with you. Carry your resume in a professional-looking portfolio or small briefcase works well. It will keep your resume neat and handy, and gives you a place to file business cards of recruiters that you meet. Usually you can stow your coat, backpack, or other gear in a coatroom.

3. Don’t come dressed for rugby practice (or any other extremely casual activity). A career fair is a professional activity – perhaps your first contact with a future employer.

4. Don’t “wing it” with employers. Do your homework! Research the companies just as you would for an interview. You’ll be able to focus on why you want to work for the organization and what you can do for them.

5. Don’t come during the last half hour of the event. Many employers come a long distance to attend the fair and may need to leave early. If you come late, you may miss the organizations you wanted to contact!

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