How to Work a Career Fair:

1
How to Work a Career Fair

• Career Fair Preparation for a Successful Search

2
Before The Career FairPrepare Your Resume

• DO
• Customize your resume
• Keep to one page
• Use a font size of 10 12
• Use action verbs
• Avoid spelling errors and typos
• Use appropriate tense
• Stay consistent
• Copy on good quality, off-white or white paper
• Use bold, capital letters, and bullets to
  emphasize qualifications

• DONT
• Use templates (i.e. Microsoft word)
• Fold or staple your resume
• Use italics, shading, or lines
• Write with personal pronouns
• Abbreviate or use acronyms
• Exceed more than one page
• List personal information
• Use colored paper or ink

3
Before the Career Fair Find Out Whose Attending

• Check out www.CareerCenter.umd.edu for a listing
  of the employers who plan to attend the Career
  Fair.
• Determine the organizations in which you are most
  interested.

4
Before the Career FairResearch the
Employers/Organizations

• Methods of Research
• Website
• Careers4Terps
• Resource Room
• 5 Fs (family, friends, faculty, fellow students,
  foundations)
• Campus Libraries
• Topics to Consider
• Mission
• Values
• Geographic Location
• Current Events
• Organizational Structure

5
Before the Career FairPrepare a One-Minute
Commercial

• 1. Introduction
• Your Name
• Your Major
• Career Interests
• Previous Work Experience
• Activities/Involvement
• Type of Internship You are Seeking

Hi, my name is ____. Im a (senior, graduate
student, sophomore, etc.) majoring in ____. I am
interested in learning about what type of
opportunities might be available at your
organization.
6
Before the Career FairPrepare a One-Minute
Commercial

• 2. Be prepared to answer questions.
• ex What type of job are you seeking?
• note your answer should NOT be Anything or
  It
• doesnt matter
• 3. Tailor your commercial appropriately

• Questions to Ask Employers
• What career opportunities are available in your
  organization?
• What is the employment outlook in the field
  right now?
• What opportunities do you have for ___________
  majors?
• What key skills/experiences are highly desirable?
• Note DO NOT ask about salary or benefits.

7
During the Career FairKeys for Career Fair
Navigation

• Arrive early
• Dress professionally dark business suit
• Target the organizations you identified earlier,
  but keep an open mind
• Be patient
• Scan employer handouts
• Travel independently
• Take initiative
• Get a business card from each person you meet
• Be courteous when accepting giveaways

8
During the Career FairQuick Tips

• Bring candy to remedy a dry mouth DONT chew
  gum
• Bring a notebook (portfolio) to record names,
  notes, and impressions
• Bring a bag to collect company information and
  giveaways
• If you suffer from sweaty palms (thats ok, we
  all get nervous!), make sure to bring an
  handkerchief

9
After the Career FairThe Next Step

• Complete and return the students survey
• Write a thank you notes to employers
• Continue to research companies
• Follow employers suggested next steps
• Continue your internship search by using a
  variety of search strategies

10
GOOD LUCK!

• Questions?
• For more information, contact
• Stacey H. Brown
• Program Director
• Phone [phone]
• e-mail sbrown12.umd.edu