Written by Sadie VanNatter, senior Marketing student at Miami’s Farmer School of Business.
The Fall Career and Internship Fair is here! On Tuesday, Sept. 15, employers from across the country will gather in Millett Hall to network with and recruit Miami students for positions across a variety of fields.
Each year, seemingly all of campus rushes to Millett Hall, eager to be first in line for their top companies. But what does that actually mean? What do you do when you get to the front of the line? It can be overwhelming.
As I enter my senior year, I’ve experienced career fairs before, and each time, the nerves resurface. If you’re nervous, you’re not alone. But if I had to share one piece of advice, it would be simple: Just go.
Miami does a great job of preparing students to enter the career fair and the job market, but there’s nothing quite like putting that preparation into practice. Here’s what I’ve learned and my advice for making the most of it.
Do Your Research
Before you arrive, take some time to look through a list of the employers attending the fair. Knowing who will be there can make the experience feel much less overwhelming.
Know which companies will be there and research the ones that interest you.
Know what positions they are recruiting for.
Know your purpose. Even if you are just exploring, that is okay.
Prepare an elevator pitch, but don’t memorize a script. Be natural and let the conversation develop.
You do not need to know exactly what you want to do. The career fair is a great opportunity to explore industries, companies, and roles you may not have considered before.
Student speaking with an Abercrombie representative.
This one is easier said than done. I know the feeling of walking into a career fair and suddenly questioning everything you were about to say. Remember that you belong there. Employers are attending because they want to meet students like you.
Dress professionally.
Wear your name tag.
Know your elevator pitch.
Be prepared, but do not worry about having all the answers.
If your first conversation does not go exactly as planned, that’s OK. You have plenty of opportunities to try again.
Have a Plan
Career fairs can be much less overwhelming when you have a general plan going in.
You do not need to spend the entire day in Millett Hall. If you have an hour or two, use that time intentionally.
Look at the career fair map ahead of time and plan your route.
Pick your top five to 10 companies and research them beforehand.
Start with a company that interests you but is not necessarily your top choice. Use it as a warmup to get comfortable.
If a line is too long, move around and come back later.
Take notes about who you spoke with and what you discussed.
Have your resume ready to share at the end of the conversation.
Having a plan does not mean you have to stick to it. Be flexible and take advantage of opportunities that come up.
Take Initiative
Student introducing themself to a potential employer.
Once you reach the front of the line, the recruiter is not expecting you to simply stand there and wait for them to tell you everything about the company. Ask questions.
Think about what you actually want to know:
What does a typical day look like?
What are you looking for in candidates?
What do you enjoy about working here?
What opportunities are available for students and recent graduates?
Be open to where the conversation goes. You may walk up planning to ask about one position and leave knowing about an entirely different opportunity that interests you.
And remember, the conversation does not have to end when you walk away from the booth. Follow up. Connect with the recruiter on LinkedIn — send a thoughtful message and keep the relationship going.
One conversation at the career fair does not always lead directly to an interview or job. You do not have to walk away asking for a job. Focus on building a genuine connection and showing continued interest. The work you do behind the scenes may be what gets you there.
Say Yes!
My last piece of advice is to say yes.
Oftentimes companies will invite you to take another step after your conversation. Say yes to the interview. Say yes to the networking event. These are all experiences that will be valuable to you, if for no other reason than to build confidence for next time.
Not every opportunity will turn into your dream job, and that’s okay. It’s all experience, and it’s all networking. Every conversation gives you a chance to practice introducing yourself, learn something new, and make a connection.
You may even discover that a company you were not initially interested in has an opportunity you never knew existed.
What to Expect
If you have never attended a career fair before, it can help to know what the experience will actually look like.
When you arrive:
Check in with your Miami ID.
Use the career fair map to navigate the space.
Expect lines, especially for popular employers.
When you reach an employer:
Expect a quick conversation, usually a few minutes and sometimes up to 10.
Be conscious of the recruiter’s time, especially if there is a long line.
Do not be afraid to chat and ask questions.
You may meet Miami alumni representing their companies, so use that connection to your advantage.
Most importantly: Have a goal and know your purpose. You do not need to walk into the career fair knowing exactly what you want, but you should have an idea of a starting point.
Just Go
A career fair can feel intimidating. There will be long lines, lots of people, and plenty of students who seem like they know exactly what they’re doing.
But you do not have to have your entire career figured out before you walk through the doors of Millett Hall. Do your research, make a plan, ask questions, and give yourself permission to be nervous.
And if you’re still wondering whether you should go, my advice is the same as it was at the beginning: Just go. You never know which conversation might lead to your next opportunity.
