5 Success Tips for the Fall Diversity Career Fair

Last Wednesday, September 18, the UIC Business Career Center hosted the Business Career Fair granting business students the opportunity to network and market themselves to diverse employers. Though career fairs are essential to finding internships and part-time/full-time employment, many students choose not to attend. Why do students forgo convenient opportunities to connect with local professionals?

For students, countless questions can come to mind that may deter you from attending a career fair. What if I don’t have enough experience? What if I don’t have an alluring elevator pitch? There will be hundreds of students there with more experience than me, why would they be interested in me? The true question is why wouldn’t they be engrossed in you? You are enrolled in a remarkable institution, and for that reason it is already apparent that you are motivated and serious about progression. Disregard the pessimistic thoughts, recognize your good qualities and valuable skills, look the part, be prepared, and attend the next career fair!

Here are 5 tips that you will need to prepare for the Fall Diversity Career Fair:

1. Do Your Research: Going to a job fair without doing research is like attending a funeral in a wedding dress. You look out of place and it’s somewhat discourteous. These employers have taken the time out to visit your institution and offer you opportunities; therefore, look at the list of participating employers and research a little bit about the companies that interest you!

1. Prepare personalized documents: There’s nothing worse than giving an employer a resume or cover letter addressed to another company. Believe me, I’ve done it before and never received a call back, or a response to my apologetic follow-up. Be sure to address and tailor your resume and cover letter to each prospective employer. Also, bring your personalized business cards if you have them.

1. Dress to Impress: You know how you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover? Employers do! It is important to know the culture of your priority employers and to dress the part. For instance, if you are applying for an employer in the fashion industry you may want to consider dressing more trendy. Always dress professionally. It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed, but don’t go pulling out your prom attire.

1. Be Confident: Walking table to table and practicing the same spill can be exhausting; however, every encounter should be like the first time. Be sure to stand confidently and speak with assurance.  Having a positive, energetic attitude can make a great lasting impression for employers.

1. Follow Up: Participating employers converse with countless students at job fairs; therefore, it is highly unlikely that an employee will remember you and what you both discussed. Be sure to get contact information from every employer you network with and send a follow-up email as soon as possible reminding the company that you met with them at the job fair, you would be a great asset to their company, and you are greatly interested in a future meeting.