Why should I attend a career fair?
Career fairs offer you an opportunity to meet a wide variety of employers who are offering internship and job opportunities in one location. They're also a great place for you to practice your networking and professional communication skills before you actually have an interview. Also, you'll be able to learn about a variety of job opportunities from many industries. It's always a good idea to check out your competition while at the fair. Just stand back a bit, listen to what other students and prospective employers are asking, and survey the room to see what kind of professional attire attendees are wearing.
While most employers only accept applications online, they often use career fairs as a way to assess candidates with regard to professional appearance, verbal communication skills, sense of purpose or career direction, and seriousness about employment with their company. If you really want to impress a recruiter, use the career fair as a way to follow up, letting them know that you have already submitted your application for a position with their company and are happy to meet personally with a company representative at the event. Be sure to follow through with questions you've prepared.
Can I find internships at a career fair?
Yes! Frequently, many employers attend career fairs to recruit for full-time positions and internships. Some fairs are dedicated solely to internship opportunities. Speak with Career Services to identify additional sources for internships.
What should I bring to the fair?
- Your student ID
- Research notes and questions you plan to ask each employer
- Copies of your resume (reviewed by Career Services, of course!); one copy for each employer with whom you plan to speak, plus several extra copies for those employers you meet unexpectedly. The resume should be printed on high quality, resume-appropriate paper.
- A professional portfolio with paper and a pen in which to carry your resumes and any company literature you receive at the event. (If at all possible, don’t take a backpack into a career fair with you. Leave a backpack, in your car, or with a friend during your time at the fair.)
- Do your research on employers attending the fair; locate the information on the event website.
- A winning smile and positive attitude!
What should I wear?
For career fairs and interviews, it is strongly recommended that you dress in business professional attire. It is the most formal dress option and helps you to look sharp and professional. Business professional, this means that you should wear a pant suit or skirt suit in a solid neutral color (black, blue, or gray). Make sure that it fits properly and that it is pressed to remove any wrinkles. If you want to add some personality to your outfit, shirts and ties are a great way to do that. Woven and printed tops, patterned ties, and jewelry are professional but also showcase your individuality. Make sure that you don’t choose anything too flashy as it may not be received as professional.
Finally, be sure to wear professional, close-toed, and polished shoes. If you choose to wear socks, they should be dress socks. Whether you wear heels or flats is up to you and your comfort level but remember to be conscious of the amount that you will be walking during a career fair.
Don’t have business professional attire? The Campus Closet may be able to help.
How can I find out which employers will be attending?
Visit the career fair website for a list of employers who are registered for the event. Continue to check the site for updated employer registration information. If the fair runs for multiple days, be sure to note which date(s) the employer is registered to attend. Most sites will allow you to search for employers by name, keyword, industry area, or major.
How should I introduce myself to an employer?
It's a good idea to create and practice a "30-second" pitch for employers. Introduce yourself by name, include your major/degree, and briefly let the employer know about your career interests, top skills, and internship, leadership, or other relevant experiences. If you're unsure, try starting with this sample format and tailoring the introduction for yourself:
"Hello, my name is _____________ and I'm a senior communications major at Penn State. My goal is to work in corporate communications where I can combine my skills and interests in writing, editing, and public relations. This past summer, I completed an exciting internship with XYZ Corporation where I assisted the marketing-communications department with a new initiative to ________. I'm also the chief editor of our school's literary magazine while building my corporate experience through my part-time position with _______. Your company particularly interests me because _____________, and I'm interested in learning more about ________."
How long will it take me to go through the career fair?
That depends on how many employers you plan to visit and how long the lines are to see those employers. Career fairs are typically very large events attended by hundreds of people. Don't become overwhelmed; just focus on your list of employers you intend to visit. You may want to prioritize your list by creating a "Top 5" selection just in case you don't have time to visit every company you planned to see. Very popular companies tend to have very long lines, so you may want to visit other employers on your list and come back to that line later.
What if I'm invited to interview?
Fantastic! Some employers do add students to their interview schedules during a career fair. Typically, this happens in high-need areas such as engineering and/or technical disciplines and high-priority federal jobs. If an employer invites you onto their interview schedule, you'll need to apply officially for the position, and that's typically done through the company's website, but feel free to ask the employer about their application process. Be sure to clarify the location of the interview with the employer.
For Career Days events at Penn State University Park, your interview will most likely take place in the Bank of America Career Services Center. If you're unable to return to University Park for an interview, simply indicate to the employer that you're attending the Beaver campus near Pittsburgh. Ask if it's possible to complete the interview by phone, virtually through Zoom or Teams, at the Penn State Beaver Career Services office or at a company location near Pittsburgh.
When should I follow up with employers?
Be sure to ask each recruiter for a business card so that you can send a thank-you letter to the recruiter within 24 to 48 hours of the event. Thank the recruiter for his/her/their time as well as the information provided during the event. Remind the recruiter of your school, major, and career intentions, and try to include a unique discussion point that might help the recruiter to remember your conversation. Typically, candidates who take the time to follow up with a thank-you letter stand out for the recruiter.