Job or career fairs are a great way to connect with potential employers. Create a positive, lasting impression by preparing for the fair before arriving.

Strategize for Success

Know Your Audience

Be prepared to talk to hiring managers by checking out the company’s website, mission, open positions and general information. Obtain a list of participating business from the career/job fair’s host. If it’s a fair through NTC, connect with Career Services.

Target Your Efforts

Create a prioritized list of employers you’d like to meet at the fair. Then visit those booths first when your energy level is up and you are at your best.

Set Your Skills

Create or update your resume customizing it to the industry. For even greater success, have several different versions of your resume targeted to specific companies/positions. Be mindful to hand the appropriate version to the correct employee. Check out resources from NTC Career Services for resume support and samples.

Know Yourself

Spend time prior to the fair reviewing your resume, work history, education, volunteerism and involvement. Be able to quickly speak to your skills and attributes. What sets you apart and makes you memorable?

Check Your Supplies

Bring multiple copies of your resume along with a pen and notepad.

Create a Positive First Impression

Dress for Success

Wear professional interview attire and comfortable shoes. Avoid jeans, hats and revealing clothing. Check out our Dress for Success page for additional attire recommendations.

In need of professional attire? Local organization may offer a community closet for clothing donation opportunity. Connect with your local United Way. For Marathon County residents, visit United Way Community Closet.

Be Well Groomed

  • Comb hair after removing a hat.
  • Avoid chewing gum or candy or munching on snacks while exploring the fair.
  • Skip strong cologne, perfume, body spray, etc.
  • Avoid smoking/vaping beforehand.
  • Wear minimal jewelry.

Show Initiative

Shake hands and introduce yourself to recruiters when you reach the table. Remember to share your first and last name. Demonstrate your interest in the company and their job opportunities.

Give a Proper Handshake

Make and maintain eye contact, smile, lean slightly forward, and light but firmly grip the individual’s hand. Keep your wrist firm with fingers close together.

Be Enthusiastic

Employer surveys identify one of the most important personal attributes candidates can bring to a new position is enthusiasm!

Ask Questions

Have questions ready for company representatives. The more you engage with them, the more memorable you’ll be.

Know Your Pitch

Introduce Yourself

Prepare a brief elevator pitch. This summary about yourself can be offered in the time it would take for a short elevator ride – about one minute. Focus on answering two questions:

  • What are your primary selling points for the job/career?
  • Why are you interested in this position/industry?

Know Your Strengths

Use your first sentence to tell who you are. Then briefly highlight your expertise with tow to four points of what makes you stand out. Finish by letting them know you want the job and why.

Stay Professional

Avoid commenting on your age, marital status, family, religion/belief system, etc. Keep the information relevant to the position/industry.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice your introduction out loud by yourself and with family/friends until it feels comfortable and natural.

Make a Lasting Impression

Make a Connection

Remember the recruiter’s name. Glance at a name tag. Use the name in a sentence when you’re speaking with the individual.

Collect Business Cards

This allows you to have contact information for the people you have spoken with.

Take Notes

Jot down notes on the back of business cards or on your notepad so you have a reminder of who you spoke to and what you spoke about.

Express Gratitude

Send a brief follow up thank you note or email to the company representatives you met at the job fair. Reiterate your interest in the company and remind them you’re a strong candidate. If something important came up in your discussion, include that in the note as a way of jarring their memory.

NTC’s Student Development Team including Student Life and Career Services can help you: prepare for job fairs and interviews, practice common interview questions, acquire networking skills, and more. Check out our online resources: studentlife.ntc.edu/soft-skills.