How to Prepare for a Job Fair
Posted: September 20, 2022 | Author: Kate Lyons | Read Time: 3 minutes
Whether new to the experience or not, attending a job fair is a great way to help you prepare for the job market. Preparing beforehand will help you to get the most out of the experience, and Southern Utah University’s Career and Professional Development Center has the resources you need to succeed. To get yourself ready, follow these easy steps and utilize what the University has to offer students to help you succeed.
8 Ways to Prepare for a Job Fair
Attend
To start, you may not know what a job fair entails and why it’s a good idea to attend. SUU provides a Lunch & Learn designed to help students navigate the waters of a job fair before the event and during. This includes working on how to approach and talk to employers and one-to-one guidance from a career coach.
Research
Knowing which employers will be at the job fair is a great start. This will help you navigate the booths, ensuring you visit each employer you’re interested in. To find out who will be there, go to the Handshake app in your SUU portal, found under the “resources” tab. Once you’re in the app, click “attend an event.”
Visit
Since you’ll be interacting with potential employers, you’ll want to act professionally yet personally. To help you with this, SUU has a web page dedicated to job fair etiquette. The website also offers what to do before the event, tips on what to do during the job fair, and also gives you questions to ask employers.
Review
Resumes list your background, skills, and accomplishments in an easy-to-navigate manner for employers to review. The Career Center offers online and in-person help on how to write a resume that best shows off what you have to offer. Schedule an appointment to get your resume reviewed by going to their website or by heading over to their office, Sharwan Smith Student Center.
Introduce
Prepare a 30-second introduction. It’s enough time to tell employers about your accomplishments, interests, experience, and goals. A solid introduction makes a great first impression! Here’s an added tip: adjust your introduction to fit the employer you are speaking to.
Dress
It’s best to dress professionally yet comfortably to help you make a strong first impression. Job fairs can serve as mini-job interviews and lead to future job opportunities, so it’s best to treat the job fair as a possible job opportunity. If needed, visit the SUU Professional Closet for some business professional clothing options.
Ask
Your head may be buzzing with all the information you’re taking in at the job fair, but following up with the employers you speak with is another great way to make a solid impression. To do this, ask for business cards to get the employer’s contact information. You can send a thank you note or follow up on what you discussed with them.
Update
Be sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and shows off your abilities, experience, and achievements. If you’re new to LinkedIn or want to learn more about how to set up a successful profile, visit the Career Center’s LinkedIn Tips website.
Knowing how to prepare for a job fair will help you not only get more out of the event but will also help to prepare you for the job market. SUU’s Career and Professional Development Center is there to help you merge your degree and career path for a successful future.
Tags: Student Life Career Center
