The signs of spring: weekend baseball games, the warm sun on our backs, the smell of flowers in the air, and of course, the annual migration of dozens of corporate job recruiters from all over the South to The Inn at Ole Miss. It’s career fair season.
Whether you’re an anxious senior whose relatives constantly remind you that you still haven’t found a job, a junior looking for an internship that doesn’t involve pushing carts at the grocery store again this summer or an eager sophomore and freshman who wants to get a jump-start and get junior varsity team captain off your resume, The Daily Mississippian has the ultimate guide on how to maximize your time at any career fair. Follow these tips and tricks to walk away with more than just a business card.
- Upgrade from the manila folder to a leather portfolio
This isn’t a high school college fair. These companies are looking for professionals, which means they will be giving you more brochures and business cards than you can hold. This is where the portfolio comes in – its many pockets and folders are perfect for holding all those brochures from the company you only stopped to talk to for the free candy. It has also been reported that these portfolios can hold resumes, as well.
- Research the companies beforehand so you can prioritize who you want to speak to
Technology companies are going to have flash drives and ear buds, and possibly phone chargers.
Construction, industrial and contracting firms will likely stock up on bottle openers and koozies. Do your best to avoid insurance companies – they typically have only pens and stress balls at best.
- Look for the table with the drawstring bags first
Likely to be a construction or contracting firm, these bags are essential for any career fair. You will likely amass quite to collection of souvenirs with company logos, and you will benefit from having something to carry them in. If you’re lucky, the bag may come with bonus goodies inside, like a flash drive or koozie.
- Walk with a purpose
Keep a good posture and solemn face. Walk at a pace slightly above “really need to use the bathroom.” This is generally ideal as it allows you to quickly survey the fair while simultaneously preventing the Army and Navy recruiters from talking to you about some really interesting opportunities you might be surprised by.
Keep an open mind and have an honest conversation with a recruiter
While many attendees dread going to a career fair, you would be surprised by how many people get their lucky break at these events. If you take the chance to have an honest conversation with a recruiter, more than just your typical small talk, you might find a company and career you’re sincerely interested in.
