A career fair — also known as a job fair or recruitment fair — is a prime opportunity for job seekers to connect with potential employers. These events, typically hosted by universities, professional organizations, or job placement agencies, bring together companies looking to hire and candidates eager to explore new opportunities.
At a career fair, employers set up booths to showcase their organizations, discuss job openings, and meet prospective hires. Attendees, ranging from students and recent graduates to experienced professionals, can network, submit resumes, and gain insight into different industries. Many career fairs also feature workshops, panel discussions, and resume critiques to help job seekers sharpen their skills.
However, simply showing up isn’t enough. Your actions during and after the event can make or break your chances of landing a job. Do it right, and you’ll stand out as a strong candidate. Do it wrong — well, let’s just say recruiters won’t forget the person who grabbed free swag and left without making a single connection.
To ensure you make the best impression, follow these expert tips on what to do (and what to avoid) at your next career fair.
Attending a career fair can be beneficial for both job seekers and employers. Job seekers can gain exposure to multiple employers in a short period, expand their professional network, and potentially even secure job interviews or offers. Employers, on the other hand, can attract a pool of qualified candidates, increase their brand visibility, and efficiently recruit for their open positions.
If you want to get the most benefit out of a job fair, though, there are things you should and shouldn’t do. Here are some things you should do while you’re there:
Sometimes, when people go to a job fair, they assume they already have the job. This simply isn't true. The biggest component of a job fair is the need for professionalism and it starts with how you present yourself. You don’t have to wear a Hugo Boss suit, but you should look presentable and dress professionally. First impressions are lasting.
Workplaces are certainly becoming more accepting of casual dress codes, but without the job offer in-hand, it's best to dress to impress the recruiter.
Consider wearing some of the following options:
Clothing should be neatly pressed and tailored to fit properly.
Make sure your hair is neat and your facial hair is trimmed. Dressing professionally demonstrates that you take the job fair seriously and value each employer’s time.
It’s good practice to have a resume at the ready. Make a few business cards or print your details on card stock to give to recruiters if they’re not accepting paper resumes. In addition to your contact information, list what type of position you’re seeking.
Recruiters should have a business card to hand you as well. You should always make sure to get a business card from a recruiter at the businesses you’re most interested in.
That way, instead of sending an email out into the ether and hoping it gets to the right place, you’ll have a direct contact within the company.
Related: Check out these tips for writing a great resume
Job fairs can have anywhere from 10 to 400 employers. You should already know ahead of time who will be in attendance. Research the companies who’ll be there to decide which you want to speak with.
Be purposeful with your time. Especially at the larger job fairs, it can be easy to miss an employer you want to speak to.
However, at the same time, don’t be afraid to stop at other booths that are relatable to your search. They may have openings you wouldn’t have expected.
For instance, when I’m at the Anderson Trucking Company (ATS) booth at a job fair, I often see potential employees pass by our booth and say, “I don’t want to be a truck driver.” They’re shocked when I inform them of all our other opportunities.
Be open to employers that would house your degree or area. Companies aren’t just one-dimensional; they don’t often offer only one type of position.
Be friendly and have an elevator speech prepared. That way, if you’re nervous, you have something prepared and don’t stare at the recruiter with a deer-in-the-headlights look.
If you want to stand out and make a lasting impression, an elevator speech will go a long way. I suggest making a few versions: a 10-second speech and a 30-second speech. Depending on how much time you have with the recruiter — which can be limited based on how long the line is at their booth — you may not get that full 30 seconds with them.
A good elevator speech includes your name, your graduation date and degree (if applicable), and the position you’re seeking. If you have more time, ask how you can apply for a position or see if they’re taking paper resumes.
Here’s an example:
Hi, my name is Shannon and I graduate next month with a degree in business management. I’m looking for a position in business sales to leverage the skills I learned from my coursework and during my internship. Do you have any positions that would match this? Could you tell me how I can apply?
A job fair is your opportunity to ask all the questions you didn't find answers to in your company research. Asking engaging questions also helps you stand out as a candidate. Ask thoughtful questions about the available roles, start dates, and company culture.
Be sure to bring a notebook with you to jot down notes about each company you visit with. This will help you differentiate between each company. The last thing you want is to do all the hard work and forget who is who.
You’ll certainly make an impression if you do these things at a career fair, but not a good one.
There’s a tendency for some attendees to do the “grab and dash” or the “snatch and grab.” Don’t just snatch treats and trinkets offered at a booth and run away. I see plenty of potential employees power-grabbing swag at every booth and never talking to anyone. They’ll come by, grab something, and not say a word. If you make eye contact with them, they’ll give you a blank stare and leave.
While it’s certainly fine to grab promotional items — that’s what they’re for — it can leave a bad impression and look disrespectful if you don’t even acknowledge the recruiter.
Don’t be rude. At the very least, have the courtesy to say hello and introduce yourself. Maybe shake their hand. If you’re uncomfortable with a handshake, a polite greeting is fine.
Social cues are a big thing at career fairs. Pay attention to them. Don’t take up all of a recruiter’s time. Chances are, they have a lot of people to speak with.
Be respectful of social signals and don’t overstay your welcome. You may be especially interested in one company, but recognize when it's time to take the conversation offline. Grab a business card so you can continue the conversation at a later date.
Depending on how long and how busy the career fair is, recruiters might talk to 10 people or 150 people or more. Recruiters can get burnt out and tired by the end of the day.
If a candidate shows up when recruiters are packing up the booth, it’s frustrating for the recruiter. They’ll engage with you, but they may be trying to leave. Therefore, they might not be giving you their full attention.
Show up early to the career fair. During the last few minutes, recruiters may be checked out. You’ll have a more productive conversation earlier in the day.
Don’t be rude or insult the employer’s company. If you don’t like the company, don’t stop at the booth.
It’s disrespectful to insult the company and vendor. They spent a lot of money to get there and took the time to be there. Going out of your way to criticize them is unprofessional and takes valuable time away from positive interactions with other companies.
It can be tempting to travel with a group of friends, but it can hold you back and make you unapproachable. Venture out on your own. This makes you more engaging to talk with and to get noticed individually for your talent!
If you go with a large group, there’s a higher chance of missing the booths you want to see. You won’t get the personal experience you need (and deserve).
Now that you’ve been to the career fair, there are a few things you should do to make the most of your time.
If you connected with a particular recruiter, follow up with a short email, text message, or handwritten card. This method demonstrates your desire to work for that company. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t receive handwritten cards very often, so the gesture goes a long way.
A quick touchpoint saying you were happy to meet them is all that’s needed. For example, this note could work well for you:
Hi Shane!
It was great speaking to you at the St. Cloud State University College Fair last Wednesday. I appreciated learning more about your company and the sales positions you have to offer. I’d love to speak with you further to learn even more about the company and how I can apply for a sales position.
In the meantime, I’ve attached my resume.
Thank you for your time,
Shannon
A message like this is a surefire way to at the very least get an interview. It’ll also help you get answers to any follow-up questions you have about the position, the company, or the interviewing process.
You spent a lot of time at the career fair. Make good use of your time by following up with at least one employer after the career fair. If you go to the career fair and don’t want to follow up with anyone afterward, ask yourself if you wanted to be there in the first place or if you truly didn't connect with anyone.
Don’t be a pest after reaching out. If the recruiter said they weren’t interested, move along. Don’t call repeatedly. Move on to the next position. Respect their decision and try to call back in two to six months to see if anything has changed.
Do follow the recruiter’s instructions for filling out the application. If you don’t fill out the complete application or fail to include the necessary materials, you’re going to be at risk of not having your application seen. If you can’t follow these directions, the recruiter may question how well you’ll be able to do the job.
Attending a career fair can be a valuable opportunity to connect with potential employers and explore job prospects. To make the most of your experience, it’s important to keep in mind some do’s and don’ts during and after the career fair.
By adhering to these do’s and don’ts, you can maximize your chances of making a favorable impression, establishing meaningful connections, and potentially securing future job opportunities. A career fair can be a stepping stone toward your desired career path, so make the most of this valuable event.
After the career fair, don't hesitate to follow up with employers who caught your interest.
Now that you know what you should and shouldn’t do at a job fair, be sure to download the post-career fair checklist!