Career fairs can feel intimidating, but they’re an opportunity to have genuine conversations with recruiters – not to deliver a perfect, memorized pitch. We’re humans, after all. Not robots. With a little preparation and a professional, approachable attitude, you can make a fantastic first impression and learn a lot too!
Do you research in advance. Before the fair, review the companies attending and check to see if they are hiring for roles you may be interested in. Don’t discount companies that whose ‘primary’ industry seems outside of your academic area. Companies hire for all types of roles. You may be surprised by what you find!
Once you identify companies that interest you, do research to best understand the company’s primary purpose/product. What does the company actually do? Who do they serve? Has the company had any major milestones recently that intrigued you? This preparation will help you ask informed questions, that you’ve learned a bit about the company, and that you have genuine interest in their organization.
Skip the memorized pitch. Memorizing a 30-second interview pitch started back in the 90s. We’re in a different century now; times have changed! Instead, aim for a natural, free-flowing conversation. Approach recruiters the way you would approach any stranger: confidently, politely, and casually.
Start by introducing yourself with your name and an introductory question. You might ask:
- “How’s your day going? I bet you’ve had a lot of interest today!”
- “How has your visit to campus been so far? Have you been to Duke before?”
- “What’s your day been like so far? I bet you’ve talked to a lot of students today!
Next, share brief information about you – your year, your major, what you’re currently seeking [internship/job] and for when. After that, you might say:
“I read about your company and saw several open positions that caught my attention and that I think would fit my background! The position is [insert here]. Would you mind if I asked you some quick questions?” (PAUSE for response; it’s a two-way conversation here, remember). You might ask:
- “When you’re reviewing resumes, what makes a candidate stand out?”
- “Is there a standard interview process for all early-career positions at your company?”
- “Are career fairs your primary form of recruiting, or do you also use things like LinkedIn find candidates?”
If you have a specific question about the position or company itself, of course ask that, as well!
Let the recruiter ask you questions. You don’t need to do all the talking. Answer the recruiter’s questions thoughtfully and let them learn about your interests, experience, and goals. Be prepared to briefly discuss your coursework, activities, skills, and relevant work or internship experience—but avoid sounding rehearsed.
At the end of the conversation, ask: “Are you collecting résumés today? I’d love to leave mine, if you are!” Follow the recruiter’s instructions, since some employers collect résumés electronically or through a specific application system.
After the fair, follow up with recruiters when appropriate. A brief thank-you message can reinforce your interest and help them remember your conversation. You can also choose to “follow” recruiters you spoke with on LinkedIn, if you’d like to stay connected. Not all recruiters can accept connection requests, so “following” can often be a better option.
Most importantly, remember that career fairs are learning opportunities! Be curious, be yourself, and focus on building genuine connections with employers.
You got this.
