September 17th and 18th are the dates for our Fall All-university and STEM career fairs, respectively. Here, students will find the opportunity to interact and network with employers, explore new career opportunities, and get an understanding for employers beyond what they pose on their website.
First, it is important to register for the fair. To do so, navigate to Handshake and sign in using your UConn NetID and password. Also, after registration, click on your fair to see what employers are attending. Putting together a list of who you want to focus on at the fair can help you in preparation. Knowing who you want to talk to can allow you to spend some time studying that specific company’s values and whether they match your skillsets. For a step by step on how to see and filter employers, check out this video from our Instagram.
Another focus to prepare for the fairs is to update your résumé. For tips and tricks on how to best prepare yours, check this blog. If you do not have access to a printer before the fairs, no stress! The Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills will be hosting a résumé printing station at Gampel Pavilion on both days of the career fair.
A good exercise to get confident before the fair is to practice an ‘elevator pitch’ – this is your 15-30 second introduction of your name, major, and year. It is also good to brush up on your relevant experiences and be able to express why you are interested in the company. If you had the time to do a little background research on the company, you could ask relevant questions based off your knowledge as well. When finishing your conversation with the employer, you want to exchange contact information and offer your resume. If you need assistance or someone to practice all of this with, feel free to schedule a meeting with one of our Career Coaches – they are happy to help.
The fair does not have a dress code, and you should never feel you have to miss the fair because you do not have the perfect outfit. That said, some employers will consider your outfit presentation, so it can be beneficial to dress according to your industry. For more information and outfit inspiration, check out our website’s ‘workplace attire’ section and The Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills Pinterest.
To go even further with your preparation for the fair, please check out this video.
Good luck 🙂
