Job Fair Prep for Students & Alumni
Job Fair Tips for Success
UPDATE YOUR RESUME
Drop by the Career Center for a walk-in resume review with a Peer Coach, Monday through Friday from 10am-4:30pm. The Career Center is located at 754 S. Wabash, 3rd Floor. Resume reviews are only available to current Columbia students, and Columbia alumni who graduated within the past year.
UPDATE YOUR PROFILES IN HANDSHAKE AND PORTFOLIUM
Employers will be posting available opportunities on Handshake, in addition to searching for talent on Portfolium. Make a good impression by updating your account profile with a photo, resume, and current body of work. Follow these links to get started: Handshake and Portfolium.
VISIT THE SPACE PRIOR TO THE FAIR
Get a sense of the layout to help put your mind at ease before the fair. Keep in mind, there will be many attendees at the fair, so be prepared to wait in line at employer tables. Put your waiting time to good use by preparing your pitch.
RESEARCH THE COMPANIES
Visit the company websites of participating employers and check their ‘careers’ page to gather information about open positions. Many positions are not posted openly, but this should give you a good sense of the types of jobs available. In addition, you can research the company’s client list and learn more about recent projects to help you initiate the conversation with employers at the fair.
STRATEGIZE
Before you arrive at the fair, decide whom you want to meet first. Many businesses and organizations will be in attendance, but you may not have time to meet all of them. When you get to the fair, take a minute to become oriented with the layout of the fair, if you don’t know where to start, look for a faculty or staff member for guidance.
DRESS THE PART
While you probably do not need to wear a full suit, you shouldn’t wander in wearing sweatpants either. A crisp shirt with a nice pair of pants or a skirt will show employers that you are professional and taking the job fair seriously. Get some interview-appropriate style advice here.
PREPARE SOMETHING TO SAY
When you arrive, employers from various companies will be placed at tables waiting to meet you. Practice your interview skills on InterviewStream before the fair.
BE CONFIDENT AND CONSIDERATE
You will have to take the initiative to approach them. Give them a firm handshake and launch with your short introduction, then segue into a question such as: What kind of talent are you looking for? Who is the ideal candidate? What’s the application process or how may I apply? They will likely give you a rundown of their company, and ask you about the work you do. These should be brief conversations (around five minutes). Pay attention to social cues—there are many candidates waiting to talk to company representatives, so be polite and considerate of everyone’s time.
THINK AHEAD
Finish each conversation with employers by asking what the next steps are for follow-up. Some companies will accept your resume on the spot and others will require that you apply online. Whatever they advise, ask for their business cards and make notes about next steps.
FOLLOW-UP
What you do after the fair is equally important to the impression you made at the fair. Be sure to follow directions: Did they ask you to apply online? Email them a resume and work samples? If so, do it immediately. If you wait more than 24 hours, you may have missed your chance. For jobs based
Contact the Career Center for more information or questions: