Are you looking to find a job or internship? Career Services hosts career fairs to connect students with potential employers. These events provide an excellent opportunity to meet with employers hiring for various positions across multiple industries. You can make a great first impression and set yourself up for success by preparing before the fair. Here are some tips for making the most of the spring career fairs.
Sign up to attend on Handshake
Sign up on Handshake to attend the events. If you don’t have a Handshake account, follow these steps to set up your profile. Handshake is the number one way college students find jobs and internships. This online resource can help you search for jobs, see event details and promote your resume to potential employers. Check the list of upcoming career fairs to see which events are the best fit for the type of job or internship you’re looking for. CU Boulder students and alumni from all majors, experience levels and backgrounds are welcome to attend.
CMCI Career and Internship Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 3-5 p.m. in the UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom.
Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Virtual Career and Internship Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 28, from noon until 4 p.m.
All Industries Virtual Career and Internship Fair on Wednesday, March 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Just In Time Career and Internship Fair on Wednesday, April 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom.
Make a plan for the fair
Review the list of employers attending and consider who you’d like to speak with at the fair. New employers sign up to participate daily, so check Handshake frequently before the events you plan to attend. Ensure you set aside enough time to visit your priority employers. Remember that lines can get long; connecting with each employer may take longer than you think.
Update your resume
Create a resume that highlights your skills, abilities and experience. Make variations of your resume tailored to each company or type of job that interests you. Review these tips for creating a memorable resume. You can also use Quinncia, a free online tool from Career Services, to get personalized, instant feedback and suggestions to improve your resume.
Complete your Handshake profile
Completing your Handshake profile can improve your opportunities with potential employers. Review your profile to ensure each section is up-to-date and complete. Stop by Career Services to use the free photo booth to add a professional photo to your profile. Update your profile details, particularly your qualifications and GPA. Set your profile to public so that employers can see your information.
Prepare to make a good first impression
Practice introducing yourself to employers. Start by sharing your name, year in school and major or area of study. Talk about the positions you’re interested in and how your skills or experiences tie to those roles.
Research your priority employers and prepare a few questions to ask when you talk with them. Ask insightful questions to help demonstrate your interest in the employer and allow you to learn more about their company and opportunities.
Dress for success
Wear clothes that reflect your identity and align with the context of the job you seek. This can put you in a confident mindset and help you to make a positive first impression. If you are unsure of the dress code expectations in specific industries or organizations, research online, talk with someone in that line of work or connect with Career Services to discuss your questions.
Take notes
When you meet with multiple employers, it can be challenging to remember the details of each conversation. Take a notebook and pen, or use your phone or laptop to take notes. After speaking with employers, write down a few things that you discussed. Take note of what you liked or didn’t like about the company. You’ll want to reference these notes later to recall the conversation if asked to schedule an interview or to add details to thank you notes or follow-up emails.
Follow up
If you received contact information from a company representative, email them after the fair. They will chat with many students at the fair, so reintroduce yourself and thank them for their time. Use your notes to recall something you discussed or enjoyed about the conversation. Let them know you’re interested in moving to the next step in the process.
Use your resources
For more tips to help you prepare for career fairs, check out programs and workshops from Career Services. If you have questions about the fair, ask a Career Services team member through LiveChat on the Career Services website.