Career Fairs: Tips from the Experts and Recruiters

By Erin Mann, Alumni Engagement Coordinator

Why should students attend a career fair?

· There are so many jobs out there. If you come here to see what is available and whose looking, it will give a great jump-start to your career. –Zions Bancorporation

· It is really beneficial for students to get it firsthand from someone who has actually in the business.  –JCPenney

· It puts students out there and provides them with opportunities. Companies are widespread and a lot of people don’t know what’s out there. A career fair gives people a wider perspective of what they can do with their degree. – Shopko

What should students do to prepare for a career fair?

· Make sure that your resume is complete - full of all the leadership experiences and work experiences that you’ve done. Any extra curricular activities are a real help in the prospect of looking for future work. - Shopko

· Dress nice and research the companies that will be there so you know a little bit about them. –JCPenney

· Be passionate about something. You have a major, you’re going to class, you have a GPA, that’s great – but everybody else has those things too. What you love to do and who you are will set you apart more than a GPA or major or any other thing that you could give to us on paper. -Vivint

· What you just said – prepare – is the most important thing. Know what it is you’re looking for. With our bank, we have numerous positions so it’s hard to pinpoint one specific job if you don’t know where you’re going. Be prepared and know what you’re looking for then ask specific questions. –Zions Bancorporation

What mistakes do you see students making at career fairs? 

· They’re tentative. I would like to see someone walk up to me and aggressively shake my hand and say, “I’m here for you." –JCPenney

· They all do the same thing. They all tell me their major and GPA and that they don’t know what they want. A lot of them say they want an internship to help them figure out what they want. You should have what you want and find an internship that fits that. -Vivint

· When they come up to us and say, “What do you have for me?” The follow up question to that is “What are you interested in?” –Zions Bancorporation

What can students do to stand out?

· When they do know what they’re looking for; when they’re specific saying, “I’m going to be graduating at this time. This is what I’m looking to get into. What do you have available right now and what can I do to prepare?” –Zions Bancorporation