Prepare for a Career Fair
Throughout the year, the Center for Career Design hosts career fairs where you can meet employers, many of them alumni, who are hiring for jobs and internships. Open to undergraduates from all majors, a career fair is a chance to connect with employer representatives and learn about a field from people who actually do the work.
Fairs may be held in person or virtually. As more recruiting shifts online, virtual fairs are a bigger part of how students connect with employers. It’s normal to wonder if a virtual fair will feel less personal, or if you can make as strong an impression through a screen as in person, but with a little more intentional preparation, virtual fairs can be just as valuable, and often easier to manage.
Career fairs let you:
- Build your network.
- Learn what skills and experiences employers look for.
- Meet alumni and hear how their paths unfolded.
- Explore options you hadn’t considered.
In-person fairs are drop-in, tabling-style events. Employers are assigned tables, and you can visit whichever ones interest you for casual conversations and information. Virtual fairs work similarly, but conversations happen through the fair’s video platform, sometimes by advance sign-up. In both formats, you can attend for as much or as little time as you’d like.
- Review the list of employers attending the event. Research each organization, familiarizing yourself with info like:
- What they do
- Currently open roles
- Recent news
- Culture and values initiatives
- Size and structure
- Alumni connections
- Update your LinkedIn and/or Dartmouth Connect profiles so they’re current and consistent with your present goals. For help, see our Networking, LinkedIn & Dartmouth Connect page.
- Create a list of employers you’d like to connect with, prioritized by interest, since you may not have time to talk with everyone.
- Virtual fairs: Book times to speak with specific employers in advance, if applicable. Consider timing your meetings to allow yourself a break between.
- Draft two questions for each employer that show you’ve done your research. Topics might include work culture, training and support, travel, the hiring process, or sample projects and clients. Find example questions in our Networking Outreach resource.
- Spend a few minutes on your elevator pitch. A strong pitch covers three things in under a minute:
- Who you are: name, year, major.
- What you’re looking for: the type of role or industry you’re exploring, tailored to the employer you’re speaking with. It’s okay not to have a clear sense of your career path yet, these conversations can help you figure that out, not just confirm a plan you’ve already made.
- Why you’re a fit: one or two relevant experiences, skills, or projects that connect to what they do.
- In-person fairs: Bringing resumes is optional. Some employers may ask for one at the table, but most will direct you to their website or Handshake to apply. In such cases, uploading an updated resume on Handshake prior to the career fair is recommended.
- Double check any instructions given about registration or joining meetings ahead of time.
- Before the event, ensure your video call platform is updated and your setup is functioning properly, including your camera, internet connection, and audio.
- Set your display name on your video call platform to your full name so employers can identify you, especially in group sessions.
- Consider using a virtual background or background blurring to keep the focus on you and minimize visual distractions.
- Check your lighting and angle beforehand, and make sure your face is centered in the frame and clearly visible.
- In-person: Use the event map to find employers on your list, and don’t limit yourself to it. Stopping by other tables is a low-pressure way to practice your pitch and see what else is out there.
- Virtual: Join from a quiet, private location with minimal visual and audio distractions.
- Business casual attire is appropriate for in-person and virtual formats.
- Make good eye contact during 1:1 conversations.
- Jot down notes during conversations to refer back to later.
- Wrap up a conversation by asking about next steps in the hiring process, and get contact information for follow-up. For instance, “What does your timeline look like for this role?” or “What’s the best way to stay in touch?”
- Follow up on any instructions employers gave you, like applying online.
- Send a thank you email within 24 hours to employers of strong interest, mentioning something specific you learned and how it strengthened your interest in the organization.
- Schedule an appointment with a Career Coach to discuss your interests, what you learned, and plan next steps.
