“The future starts today, not tomorrow” (Pope St. John Paul II).

Career fairs can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience for college students, recent graduates, and job-seekers. There is a lot of uncertainty in how to dress, what to bring, and how to act. The stress could lead one to think that career fairs are not worth attending! As a career services professional, I understand the anxiety surrounding career fairs. This aspect of job searching and networking is stressful, whether you are a college student or making a career change. 

The common thought is that for a career fair to be a success, you must be offered an internship or job—or at least set up an interview. If there’s no internship, job, or prospective interview, then you “did” the career fair incorrectly. This misconception puts unnecessary pressure on the job-seeker and makes attending a career fair an added item on the to-do list rather than a chance to see what opportunities are out there and to build professional skills.

From my perspective of working in career services, I want to share the benefits of attending a career fair as well as some tips for how to prepare so that you can walk into your next career fair with an open, clear mind and, hopefully, less stress and anxiety.

Why Attend a Career Fair?

One way to view a career fair is as a large “come and see” event that purposefully brings together companies from across the state (and maybe across the country) specifically to talk to you. It is a fantastic networking opportunity and a chance to identify what you are interested in, explore the companies you may want to work at or areas you may want to live, and learn about the skills and experiences companies are looking for. For college students and individuals wanting to make a career change, a career fair is a fail-safe way to learn more about industries and your possible career path.

You do not have to attend a career fair for the specific objective of getting a job, internship, or interview. (Say that out loud, and repeat!) You can attend a career fair simply to see what is out there and to build your confidence in talking with strangers. This knowledge and confidence will help later, in interviews and other professional settings.

Career fairs are not just for students who are about to graduate. They are designed for anyone in college or looking to transition into a new career. If you are not sure what you want to do or how to make a career transition, attending a career fair will give you the opportunity to talk and learn more about what you really want to do, what skills and experiences you may need, and what is important to you. Believe me: Employers at a career fair love talking with everybody that comes up to their table, whether their major matches their company or not.

5 Tips for a Successful Career Fair

Going into a career fair with an open mind is important, especially for almost-graduates or recent graduates. There are some things you cannot control, such as whether you will be offered an interview, internship, or job. What you can control is how you prepare and your mindset. Below are some tips I give to my students as they prepare to attend our career fairs.

1. Bring Your CV/Resume 

In a previous article on looking for a job, I briefly talked about writing a CV/resume. I’ll mention again the importance of finding your own format, making sure everything is consistent and up-to-date, and asking someone to review it.

Some colleges ask students to bring multiple copies of their resume to the career fair. Even if not, the career fair is a good opportunity to work on your resume and possibly have someone within your target industry review it and give you feedback.

2. Bring Business/Contact Cards

If you have business or contact cards, give them to the employers you are interested in learning more about or contacting after the event. If you’re a college student, your career center may offer to make and print out business cards as a free resource.

If that is not an option or you do not like the traditional business card, you can make a free digital card using an app called Blinq. You can add a photo, number, and email and then share it with others. You can also link it with your social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, if you desire.

3. Dress Professionally

Career fairs are networking events, not workout events—so no T-shirts, shorts, or yoga pants! Many career fair organizers state if they expect attendees to come wearing business professional or business casual.

You don’t need to buy a whole new outfit, and don’t wear something that makes you completely uncomfortable. Wear something that is nice, is presentable, and shows that you know what kind of event you are attending. (Flats are totally acceptable! We do not need to wear heels if we do not want to.)

There may be an opportunity to take a free professional headshot. If so, take it! This is a wonderful resource to take advantage of.

4. Research Employers Ahead of Time

Many career fair organizers post or send out the list of employers who will be attending. Knowing who will be there will give you a better idea of who you want to talk to and what types of questions you may want to ask.

5. Be Yourself

I tell my students that you never want to lie about your experience or your goals when talking with employers. It never goes well, and the truth will come out! Part of the fun of a career fair is that you are looking to see if a company is a good place for you, just as much as they are seeing if you are a good match for them.

Do not worry about having the perfect resume, elevator speech, or questions. Look, talk, and ask questions. You will get as much out of a career fair as you put in. This is your opportunity to talk to employers without having to submit an application first!

Above all, pray. The beauty of integrating our professional and spiritual lives is that we can pray and ask for intercession as we go about our daily life, including before attending a career fair. As you get ready to attend, ask for the intercession of St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers, to guide you and lead you where Christ is calling you.

Alexandra (Alex) Harrel resides in Irving, Texas. She is a new student affairs professional within the world of higher education. In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time outdoors. Her favorite prayer is Hail, Holy Queen. You can follow her on Instagram at @2012alexandra.