Career Fair Preparation

PRACTICE YOUR POWER INTRODUCTION

Create a smooth start to your conversations with employers by using your prepared “elevator pitch” introduction summarizing your professional background, skills, and interests. Watch a video on how to create an elevator pitch.

LOOK THE PART

Be sure to wear professional business attire to the fair. View a video on interview dress.

RESUME

A resume that is polished along with your conversation with the employer is pivotal to career fair success. Career Services can assist you in creating a well-written, error-free resume. Avoid waiting until the last minute to polish your resume.

EMPLOYER RESEARCH

Utilize Handshake to view and research employers; visit their website, view peer reviews of employers, and much more. This will help you ask engaging questions when meeting with employers during the fair. Watch a video detailing how to best research employers.

In determining companies of interest, be open-minded. Do not solely concentrate on “big names” or large organizations. There are often great opportunities with companies with which you are not familiar. Explore every possible avenue.

ASK QUESTIONS AND FOLLOW-UP

The time you have with a recruiter will be brief. In closing your conversation, be sure to learn the next step and inquire how to follow up. You can use this information to follow up with a short email thanking the employer for the introduction to their organization and to initiate contact with another representative if applicable.

Do not be surprised if the employer asks you to go online to complete an application and/or submit a resume again. Due to employment laws and/or the sheer volume of resumes employers receive, applying online is quite common. For some employers, every candidate— even an internal one--must apply online.

PREPARE FOR THE FAIR SESSIONS

This Prepare for the Fair session will give tips on how to successfully navigate the career fair. September 12 & September 17 @ 3:30pm

In Person: 278 MSC, Career Services Suite

September 9 & September 18 @ 3:30pm
Virtual Zoom: A Zoom link will be emailed to you the day before your session.

RESUMEMANIA!

Get your resume ready for the UMSL Fall Internship & Job Fair on Friday September 20, 2024 Send your resume to: resumemania@umsl.edu for a review between the dates of: Monday August 19-Wednesday September 18 @12pm. A Career Counselor will review your resume and have it back to you within two working days.

WE HAVE A SELFIE STATION

Visit the UMSL Career Services Selfie Station, located in 278 MSC to use your phone to take a head shot. We have a ring light and backdrop to capture you at your most professional.