Many students attend the career fair every year, but most do not know how to prepare for the fair.
Clay Woemmel, Assistant Director of Career and Employment Services offered the following tips and suggestions to make the most of your career fair experience.
“Students should know which companies are attending the fair before they come,” Woemmel said. “Pick out which companies interest you and find information about them.”
A list of the companies that are attending the fair is posted at the University of Memphis’ website, www.people.memphis.edu/~univplace.
“Try to come in early in the day,” Woemmel said. “Don’t wait until the last hour. Sometimes the recruiters leave early or go to lunch. If you get there early, the recruiter will probably remember you. You’ll make more of an impression that way.”
“Students should bring copies of their resume and dress professionally,” said Woemmel. “Most students just wear their normal clothes so dressing professionally is a good way to stand out.”
There is a limited amount of time so students go to the booths that they are most interested in first and also should have in mind what they want to say. Introduce yourself and highlight your skills and strengths Woemell said.
“Body language is important,” he added. “You should appear confident, relax, and most importantly smile. Everyone wants to work with someone they perceive to be friendly.”
Never ask a recruiter personal questions and answer questions as honestly as possible, Woemell said.
The follow-up is the most important step according to the website, quintessential careers.
Experts suggest calling the recruiter the evening of the fair and leaving a voicemail message thanking him or her for their time or mail a thank you note the next day to the address on the recruiter’s business card.
“You should ask for a business card or company literature and call a couple of weeks after the fair,” Woemell said. “Companies like it when students show initiative.”
