The school year is back in full swing! While you are marking your calendar for upcoming quizzes and exams, be sure to check the schedule of fall career fairs throughout the university. There are a number of fairs that are open to all students (not just upperclassmen). Here are some tips to ensure an awesome career fair experience, even for those who have been before:
– Dress to impress. Wear clothes that you would wear to a formal interview. A suit is recommended. If you don’t have a suit, don’t worry! Dress pants and a dress shirt, or a conservative dress and a blazer will do the trick. A conservative, professional look lets companies know that you mean business.
Wear professional, yet COMFORTABLE shoes. You will be doing a lot of standing and walking around, and blisters are an unwanted distraction.
– Make a plan. Visit your career fair’s website to see what companies will be in attendance. Choose a group of companies that interests you the most and make that group your priority.
Do some research. Find an interesting fact or current news item about each company. It shows recruiters that you are genuinely interested in them.
– Prepare your portfolio. Make sure you have plenty of copies of your updated resume, business cards if you have them and a pen ready to go!
Pick up your swag at the end. Many companies hand out free things (pens, sunglasses, etc.) but you don’t want to carry anything around but your portfolio. When you’re done exploring the fair and talking to recruiters, go back for the swag to let them know you remember them and want to take a souvenir from their company.
Also, be sure to stop outside the Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom on September 15 and 16 to get your FREE head shot. Professional photographers will be there both days from noon – 3 p.m. to capture you looking good in your professional attire, and no appointment is necessary!
Here is a schedule of some of the larger upcoming career fairs in the Ohio Union:
9/9/2015 Fisher Fall Career Fair
9/15/2015 & 9/16/2015 The Ohio State University Career and Internship Fair
9/22/2015 & 9/23/15 Engineering Expo
11/5/2015 The Ohio State University Graduate and Professional School Fair
For more ways to prepare for your career fair experience, visit this website.