Succeed at a career fair
Maximize your career fair experience with these practical tips.
Prepare for the fair
- Research who will be there: The more you know, the easier it will be to make a memorable connection with company representatives. Visit the participating organizations' websites and social media pages to learn about their mission, vision, values, products, services and clients.
- Prepare questions: Use your research to develop thoughtful questions to ask employer representatives. This will help you stand out and show genuine interest.
- Update your application materials: Have copies of your resumé ready to share with employers and carry your materials in a portfolio (rather than a backpack). Make sure your LinkedIn profile reflects your most recent achievements for post-fair connections.
- Practice your introduction: Develop a concise pitch highlighting your skills, interests and career goals.
On the day of the fair
- Present professionally: Dress in neat and work-appropriate attire. Make sure your overall look reflects your readiness for the workplace.
- Engage actively: Be friendly, smile, make eye contact and project your voice (it might be loud). Take notes during your conversations and ask for business cards or representatives' contact information.
- Use your time wisely: Identify the companies you’re most interested in. Prioritize your top companies, but keep an open mind about others. Keep conversations brief and meaningful to respect others’ time.
- Network while you wait: Chat with fellow attendees to exchange information and insights about employers. Listen in on other conversations to avoid repeating the same questions, and use your waiting time to review booth materials or jot down notes.
Asking effective questions
Meeting people who work in the industry you want to pursue a career in is an incredible learning opportunity. Asking the right questions can help you better understand possible career paths and how to stand out in the application process.
Keep these tips in mind:
- Ask open-ended questions instead of those that lead to simple yes or no answers.
- Tailor questions to the person you’re speaking with.
- Prioritize the questions that matter most to you; you’ll likely only have time to ask a few.
- Pay attention to what others are asking to avoid repeating the same questions.
- Tell me about a typical day in your role.
- Can you tell me more about the projects you are working on and what you find most challenging/rewarding?
- What skills and characteristics would the ideal candidate need to obtain a position?
- How well did university prepare you for your job? Are there courses or projects you recommend?
- What makes you stand out from your competitors?
- Can you recommend any professional associations/groups (including online forums)?
- What advice do you have for new graduates who want to work for your company?
- What are you looking for in a resumé?
- What additional training, skills or certifications do you recommend?
- What top skills do new grads/interns have that make them successful in your company?
- When is your peak hiring time?
- What types of positions do you have trouble filling? Why?
- What kinds of projects/challenges are interns given in your company?
- What does your hiring process consist of?
- Are you hiring for positions in other Canadian or international offices?
- What are typical entry-level positions in this field?
- What is a typical career path in your company?
- What is the salary range for an entry-level position?
- Do you have any suggestions about how to prepare for your recruitment process?
- What is the best way to follow up on my application?
- How can we stay in touch?
- How can I obtain an interview?
- How do you evaluate overseas experience?
Following up
After the fair, email or connect on LinkedIn with company representatives. Make sure your LinkedIn profile in up to date!
- Thank representatives for their time.
- Mention specifics from your conversation to reinforce your interest.
- Express enthusiasm about how your skills align with their needs.