Preparing for Career Nights and Fairs

Career Nights and Career Fairs are opportunities for you to meet representatives from a variety of companies. This is the perfect time for you to use your elevator pitch and to go and meet these representatives. They can share valuable information about their companies and tell you of internships and full-time jobs. It is important that you attend so you can find out what is out there.

Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail

  • Do your research! 
  • What firms are coming?  Go to Handshake.  Click on either Job Fairs or Career Events and you can see who will be attending.
  • From all that you have read online, what can you learn about them?  What questions do you have from what you have learned?
  • Plan how you will introduce yourself.  (elevator pitch)

Look the Part

  • Professional attire
  • Haircut/clean shaven
  • Leather portfolio
  • Resumes
  • Pre-register on Handshake
  • Elevator pitch: How will you introduce yourself?

Business is all about relations

  • Work the room
  • Don’t start with your top choice
  • Eye contact
  • Gather business cards
  • Don’t spend time talking to your friends. Meet the professionals who have taken their time to come and meet you. 
  • Covid regulations:  Masks are not required.  Follow the employers’ lead regarding handshaking.  If he/she extends his/her hand then shake. Otherwise rely on good eye contact and pitch of voice to reflect welcome and interest.

Take care of yourself

  • Breathe
  • Take a break
  • Pace yourself

Follow Up

  • Send thank you emails to the representatives that you met