Career Fair Tips: Confidence and Preparation are Key

By Fifi Fraga

We all know what it’s like to be nervous for our first career fair… or even our fifth, if you are anything like me. As a shy person, I was always afraid of approaching booths and initiating a conversation with a potential employer. I never knew what to say or ask. In preparation for the recent Communication career fair, one of my more outgoing friends helped me figure out a few tips that I thought I would share with anyone else who is experiencing pre-career fair jitters.

First thing’s first: Look your best. If you look good, you feel good, too. Put yourself together in business casual attire, fix your hair, and freshen up. The better you feel about your appearance, the more confident you will appear to future employers, which will definitely give you a push forward in making a good impression. 

Secondly, do your research! Take a look beforehand at the companies that will be attending the career fair. Make a list of the companies you want to go talk to, and then make sure you do some research on theml. This will make you feel more confident about your knowledge and interest in the company. It will definitely show if you know what you are talking about.

Third: Make a list of things you want to ask, whether it’s general questions for all the companies, or specific questions about any companies that you may be more interested in. Some of the general questions on my list included “How long have you worked for your company?”, “What do you like most about it?”, “What industries do you work with?”, “Who is your favorite client?”, and most crucially, “Are you hiring graduating seniors?” This simple preparation will help you have something on your mind that you want to say when you approach a booth. This will help you avoid the awkward silence while you try to find something to say. Be prepared.

Fourth: First impressions! When you arrive at the career fair, carry yourself with confidence. Even if you don’t feel confident, act like it. Introduce yourself confidently, make eye contact, and smile! This will set you up for the rest of your conversation. Also remember that all of the talking isn’t just on you. The person behind the booth will most likely ask you questions and give you helpful advice for kick starting your career. 

Preparing beforehand for a career fair definitely makes a difference for me. Preparing questions to ask and doing research made me more confident and allowed me to learn more about companies that I was interested in. It also helps to go to a career fair with an outgoing friend who will have your back and make you feel more confident.

So if you lean more towards the shy side like me, or if it’s your first career fair, these tips will help you portray the best version of yourself to future employers when the next career fair rolls around. Happy job hunting!