Starting as early as your first year, attending career fairs helps you build confidence, develop professional connections, and gain valuable practice talking with employers. These events bring recruiters from businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies directly to campus, and they are actively seeking to hire college students.
Many employers are looking for students with transferable skills like communication, leadership, research, or project management rather than students in particular majors. Make sure to bring multiple printed copies of your most updated resume in a folder or padfolio so you can hand them out confidently. You’ll also want a notepad and pen or a tablet to jot down notes after each conversation.
If you come prepared, can speak to your experience and skills, and show interest in the organization, you can make a great impression.
Researching the organizations
To know who’s attending the event and what they’re looking for, log in to Handshake, click on the event, and then view the “Employers” tab.
From there, you can see which companies and nonprofits will be at the fair and what types of positions they are hiring for.
In Handshake, click into each organization’s profile and visit their website. Review their mission, history, and any career or hiring pages. Recruiters notice when students have done their research.
Dressing professionally
Dressing the part can help you feel confident and show recruiters that you take the opportunity seriously.
If you need professional clothing, you can schedule a free appointment with IU Indianapolis’s Hire Attire. They can help you find a full outfit that’s appropriate for career fairs and interviews.
Whether or not to cover tattoos or remove piercings is a personal decision. Choose a look that balances professionalism with your authentic self and is appropriate for the roles you’re exploring.
Answering questions
Recruiters may ask you a few questions to better understand your interests and fit for their organization. Prepare by thinking through your answers to common questions, including:
- Are you seeking an internship, part-time, or full-time role?
- What makes you a good fit for the position?
- What do you know about our organization?
- How has your major prepared you for this type of work?
- What are you involved in outside of class?
Some employers may not be familiar with how your major connects to the job. That’s okay. Use the opportunity to explain how the skills you’ve gained like research, problem-solving, writing, teamwork, or data analysis are relevant in the workplace.
Your goal is to show how you are curious, capable, and eager to learn more.
