Fall career fairs may be over, but your job-search work is just beginning. A thoughtful follow-up can help you stand out, strengthen new connections, and move closer to an interview—especially in engineering, where recruiters are often evaluating both technical preparation and soft skills.
Step 1: Organize your notes. Within 24 hours, review the conversations you had. For each employer, record:
- The recruiter’s name and contact information
- The role or program discussed
- Skills, projects, or experiences you mentioned
- Any next steps the recruiter recommended
- Details from the conversation you can reference in a follow-up
These notes will help you personalize your messages and avoid sending generic outreach.
Step 2: Follow-up. Send a brief thank-you message within one or two days. Mention something specific from your conversation, reaffirm your interest, and include any requested materials.
Example:
Subject: Great Meeting You at the Duke Career Fair
Dear [Recruiter Name],
Thank you for speaking with me at the Duke career fair about [company/team or role]. I enjoyed learning about [specific project, technology, or aspect of the organization]. My experience with [relevant course, project, research, or technical skill] has strengthened my interest in the [position name] opportunity.
I have submitted my application through [application portal, if applicable]. Please let me know if I can provide any additional information.
Best,
[Name]
[Degree and graduation year]
[LinkedIn or contact information]
Keep your message concise, professional, and tailored to the conversation.
Step 3. Remain connected. After the career fair, “follow” or send a connect request to any employer representatives and/or recruiters that you would like to stay in contact with. Keep in mind: not all talent acquisition team members will accept requests, so sometimes hitting “follow” is the best option. By following a person, you can see their public posts and articles in your feed without becoming a first-degree connection.
Step 4. Keep track of things. Create a simple spreadsheet with the employer, position, application date, recruiter, and reminders for deadlines and follow-ups. Be sure to save the job description for each position you apply to in a Word or Google Doc, as many companies will pull job postings off line when they begin interviewing. You’ll want to have the job description on hand if you are selected to interview!
Step 5: Reflect to improve. Finally, take a few minutes to evaluate your experience:
- Which introduction felt most effective?
- What questions generated strong conversations?
- What would you change before your next fair?
Every career fair is practice, and it’s only the first step. Prompt follow-up, clear communication, and consistent attention to detail can help transform a brief introduction into a meaningful professional connection.
You got this.
