Tips for a Successful Career Fair Experience-A Student's Point of View

Student 2 Student

By: Paige Babala
Paige is a Senior majoring in Marketing & International Business. This is her second year working in the UCSO, and found her internship at Eli Lilly through on-campus recruiting. She just returned from studying and an internship with a headhunter in Barcelona, and is excited to be back in Bloomington and start the job search!

CAREER FAIRS- Two words that I have witnessed strike fear into any Kelley student. Whether it’s your first career fair or you’re a seasoned pro, career fairs have a tendency to make students nervous. However, with the following tips you’ll be on your way to a nerve-free, successful career fair experience!

1. Get your suit dry-cleaned- Dress for success! If you have a clean, pressed suit, you will be even more confident when approaching recruiters Print more resumes than you think you’ll need- Especially with the career fairs located off-campus; you don’t want to be stranded at the convention center without a resume.
2. Do your research- Before showing up at the Bloomington Convention Center; check out the UCSO website’s list of companies that will be at the career fair. This way, you can develop a strategy of exactly what companies you want to speak to, in addition to being able to ask educated questions about the company and the position.
3. Practice your elevator speech- When a recruiter says, “Tell me about yourself,” you want to have an impressive, yet brief and conversational, response.
4. Be aware- While you are in line waiting to speak with a recruiter, pick up on the cues they are giving other students. Does this recruiter seem tired? Are they excited to be there? Depending on non-verbal hints, you can start to gauge where your conversation may go, and how long it should last.

5. Remember, recruiters are people too! - While being professional is key, remember that recruiters have lives outside of their job as well. This might help calm your nerves!
6. Have fun!!- Career fairs are actually really fun if you are properly prepared. Think about it as a professional speed-dating session where you get to check out tons of companies that you could have a future with.

Hopefully after reading these tips, you are feeling better about tackling that upcoming career fair. As a Kelley student, you have the basic skills to get your dream job, but no one can have a successful career fair without proper preparation.