Every year our team hosts several career fairs, beginning with an annual Engineering-focused fair in September! Learn how to prep like a pro for any career fair with these 5 action steps.1. Find out who will be there.
Review the list of employers participating in the two-day Engineering Career Fair (on Wed., Sept 13 and Thurs., Sept. 14) through the career fair listing in Handshake. TIP: Narrow the field of who to talk to by sorting employers by your field of interest and the year and/or major they're recruiting.
2. Learn more about your top employers of interest.
Read all information they shared in their career fair listing.
Review the company website and understand what the company does.
See if they've been mentioned recently in the news.
3. Create a 1-page resume (error-free and easy-to-read!) to share with employers.
4. Develop and practice your “elevator pitch”, a 30-second soundbite of what you want employers to know as you first introduce yourself. Need help getting started? Use these tips:
Start with your name, year, and major.
Follow with a couple of sentences that highlight what you're interested in and how that connects to the company.
Continue by mentioning a couple of recent courses, projects, internships, or experiences that have given you the skills the company is looking for.
Help get the conversation started by finishing your pitch with a question for the company rep to respond to.
Want more guidance? Watch this recording of an Elevator Pitch Workshop.
Ready for some feedback? Get instant feedback on your pitch with VMock's Elevator Pitch Review Tool.
5. Plan your outfit in advance.
The career fair is a come-as-you-are event. No business suits needed! IF you'd like to dress professionally, these style guides from our colleagues at VCU offer tips and pointers:
Feminine Style Guide
Masculine Style Guide
Gender Neutral - Femme Presenting Style Guide
Gender Neutral - Masculine Presenting Style Guide
We also recommend attending one of these career fair prep events:
Get Ready for Fall Recruiting: Virtual Resume Reviews
Fri., Aug. 18 | 10am-12pm | Virtual event | More info
Chat with an alum or employer for 15-20 minutes for personalized feedback on your resume.
How to Navigate a Career Fair
Wed., Aug. 23 | 4:30-5:30pm | Virtual event | More info
Career Peer Educators will share tips on maximizing your time at a career fair, perfecting your elevator pitch (i.e., a quick way of introducing yourself), and crafting follow-up e-mails to employers.
Resume Reviews at Resume Marathon
Wed., Sept. 6 | 10am-3pm | Bryant Hall at Scott Stadium | More info
Receive personalized feedback on your resume from an alum or employer in a safe environment! Bring a printed copy of your resume with you.
Navigating Nervousness at Career Fairs: Practical tips for confident conversations
Mon., Sept. 11 | 12-1pm | Thornton Hall A238 - Rodman Room | More info
It's natural to feel nervous at networking events, whether they're big or small. Prepare for the upcoming career fair and ease some of those nerves in this workshop! We'll cover FAQs as well as little-known facts about career fairs that will help boost your confidence. Plus, we'll carve out time to practice career fair prep and navigation in a safe environment.
Resume Reviews at the Engineering Career Conference
Tues., Sept. 12 | 10am-3pm | Newcomb Hall 3rd Floor - Ballroom
Receive personalized feedback on your resume from an alum or employer in a safe environment! Bring a printed copy of your resume with you.