Unsure of how to get ready for a career fair? Look no further, the Center for Career Development is here to help! Here are a few tips to help you get ready to attend the Career Fairs and feel more confident when engaging with employers.
Research Companies Attending the Fair through Handshake
Handshake is a job and internship search platform that connects employers with UConn students like you! All you need to do to get started is log into Handshake with your NetID and password. Once you’re signed in, you can use this link to view the Career Fair details and attending employers. Having background information on the companies attending the fair means that you can prepare some questions to ask and make an impression by showing that you’ve done your research.
- Under the “All Employers” tabs, you can view the full list of employers and use filters on the left side of the screen to narrow down your search. You can filter by company name, job type and much more.
- You can see which fair(s) each employer is attending in the employer details.
- Research job openings for each employer by clicking on their name.
Decide Who You Want to Meet With
We have over 200 employers attending the fairs this semester, so planning who you want to meet with will help you make the most of the opportunities. Pick a few priority companies that you want to connect with in case time runs short, or there are other students in line to meet them.
Update & Print Your Résumé
Make sure that your résumé is up-to-date and check for any proof-reading errors. Print out enough copies for the employers you plan to meet, plus 3-5 extras. For ideas on how to update your résumé, check out our Résumé and Cover Letter Guide or schedule an Undergraduate Résumé Critique appointment on Handshake.
Create & Practice Your Elevator Pitch
Your elevator pitch is a quick way to get your foot in the door! Being able to share about 30-45 seconds of information about yourself to an employer or recruiter is a great addition giving them your résumé. Your elevator pitch should include a simple introduction of your name, major and year, for example: Hi my name is Jonathan Husky, I am a sophomore communications major here at UConn. Next you can include your career goals, experiences that have helped you work towards it, and coursework or extracurriculars that have helped you develop skills that align with that goal. Check out this blog for more information on creating an elevator pitch!
Think About Your Outfit
Choosing what to wear can be difficult, especially if you’re stopping by the fair before or after class, so here are some things to think about!
- Your attire should represent the environment you are in, but also you as a person!
- Wear something that will make you feel comfortable when engaging with an employer.
- Depending on your industry, workplace attire can range from smart casual to business professional and anywhere in between. Remember: There is no one right way to dress, as long as you feel confident in your decision.
- For attire inspiration, check out our Workplace Attire Gallery!
If you have any questions or are looking for more guidance, visit career.uconn.edu where we have on-demand resources for nearly every topic.
