How to Make the Most of a Career Fair

multiple students at a career fair in the UVA Newcomb ballroom

Before the Career Fair

  • Review list of employers attending - This is a must do for a successful career fair.
  • Decide which employers are priorities for you. Select 5-7 employers you are most interested in.
  • Create a spreadsheet of the organizations you'd like to talk to.
  • Get your resume reviewed - Search Handshake for resume review workshops and/or come to our drop-in hours.
  • Attend pre-fair employer presentations or tabling events.

Research Employers on your List

  • Visit company websites and review current openings on the company website and in Handshake. 
    • Learn about each employer's products, services, mission, and culture. Review the "about us" and "products" or "services" pages. 
    • Who are their primary customers? What problem do the solve? What do they talk about as their competitive advantage?
  • Read recent company news and developments.
    • Are there new product announcements, acquisitions, or major company initiatives?
  • Review the job postings and start to identify how your interests and skills align with their opportunities. 
    • Put a column in your spreadsheet for the skills each employer is looking for easy access
  • Use LinkedIn to see who the UVA alums are working for that company (UVA Alumni Tool)
  • Email recruiters before the career fair to introduce yourself (Hi, I'm excited to see that you'll be coming to the career fair. I'm looking forward to talking with you.)

Develop Your Elevator Pitch

  • Prepare a 20-30 second introduction - think about what makes you unique and how your experience may differ from everyone else's.
  • Include:
    • Your name
    • Major and graduation year
    • Why you're interested in the company - use the information you found from your research!
    • Relevant experiences, projects, or skills - again, anything unique makes it easier for them to remember you!
    • Career interests and goals and how opportunities at this company align - show that you've read the job description!
  • Practice until it feels natural and conversational. Feel free to add something personal or a fun fact about yourself - "I'm excited for my 4th year and can't wait to get a cat when I graduate" or "Outside of school, I love to rock climb and hike"
  • Be ready to adapt it to different employers and industries. 

Prepare Questions

Avoid questions that can be answered by reading the company website.

Instead, ask questions such as:

  • What types of projects do interns or new hires work on?
  • How does the company incorporate AI into their work?
  • What are the exciting new opportunities the company is working on? 
  • What qualities do successful employees at your company possess?
  • What does career growth look like within the organization?
  • How do teams collaborate across functions?
  • What are current challenges your organization is working to solve?

Dress Professionally

  • Wear business professional or business casual attire, depending on the event.
  • Make sure clothing is clean, wrinkle-free, and fits appropriately.
  • Pay attention to grooming and professional presentation.
  • Wear comfortable shoes if the event is in person.
  • Bring a portfolio, notebook, or padfolio if desired - something to keep your resumes in and to take notes.

During the Career Fair, Make a Strong First Impression

  • Introduce yourself confidently using your elevator pitch.
  • Maintain eye contact and professional body language.
  • Smile and engage authentically.
  • Demonstrate enthusiasm for the organization and opportunities by showing that you've done your homework ahead of time.

Expand Your Network

  • Speak with recruiters from both target employers and organizations you're less familiar with.
  • Take notes after each conversation
  • Collect contact information when appropriate.

After the Career Fair, Follow Up Promptly

  • Send a thank-you email within 24-48 hours.
  • Reference a specific topic from your conversation.
  • Reiterate your interest in the organization or role.
  • Include your resume if appropriate. 

Take Action on What You Learned

  • Apply for positions discussed during the fair.
  • Connect with recruiters or alumni on LinkedIn when appropriate.
  • Continue researching organizations that interest you.
  • Attend additional information sessions or networking events. 

Stay Organized

  • Use a spreadsheet to track:
    • Employers you met
    • Recruiter contact information
    • Positions of interest
    • Application deadlines
    • Follow-up actions
    • UVA alums working at the company
    • Notes from conversations you want to remember

Keep Building the Relationship

  • Career fairs are often the start of a professional relationship, not a one-time interaction.
  • Continue demonstrating interest through applications, follow-up messages, and event participation.
    • Follow up with the recruiters you talked to after you submit an application ("I just wanted to let you know that I applied for the XYZ role and I'm excited to hear about the next step in the process")
    • If you revise your resume after the fair, you can also follow up with your revised resume ("I just wanted to share my updated resume")
  • Use the information you gathered to tailor future applications and interviews. 

Quick Checklist

Before you leave for the fair, make sure you have:

  • Updated resume(s)
  • Professional attire
  • Elevator pitch ready
  • List of target employers
  • Research notes on organizations
  • Questions prepared
  • Notebook or device for taking notes
  • Confidence and curiosity!