The 7 Worst Mistakes to Make at a University Career Fair

The 7 Worst Mistakes to Make at a University Career Fair Image via Pexels Granted, college career fairs offer a great deal of potential and opportunity to their candidates, but it comes with a certain level of pressure. However, attending one can help you get the job you are looking for as soon as you graduate. Many employers are looking for apprentices or interns, which can lead to full-time employment over time. You’ll be interested to know that despite the bleak jobs report that is issued each month by the Labor Department, many companies are eager to hire. But you do have to look the part â€" not perfect â€" but presentable enough for them to actually give you a first and second look. Here are the worst mistakes to make at a university career fair and how you can avoid them. Knowing very little or nothing at all about the employer Take some time to browse and actually read the website of the company or organization that you want to work for who will be at the job fair. Research these companies. Don’t question the employer about what the company does; try to find this out on your own. And if you can, contact a few people who work at these companies to see what the work culture and their experience has been like. You can do this easily through LinkedIn. I frequently use LinkedIn to contact potential employers and/or people I’d like to work with in my field or just to ask a question and it has proven to be beneficial. This will show that you are an initiative-taker and help you understand the type of qualifications the company is looking for. Submitting a poorly developed resume (or having no resume to begin with) So you may not have a whole lot of experience just yet but you still have had some experiences that have made you who you are today. Internships, high school summer jobs, tutoring â€" all of that counts for experience and should be appropriately included on your resume. And don’t simply drop off your resume. You could have simply applied online if that was your goal. Instead, put some real effort into it. If you have no eye for design and format whatsoever, use a template. Take a minute to pull together a professional and thoroughly accurate resume that reflects you well. Get a friend, relative, or English buff from around campus to proofread it for you. Let an artsy roommate review it for a professional look. Your resume is your life on paper and you want it to look the best the first time around. Bring several copies with you to give to more than one employer. Dressing not to impress If you’re looking to work at Facebook or Twitter or any other number of Silicon-Valley based tech companies, then jeans (not torn or ripped or skinny) and a polo shirt might make you look the part and get you the job you’re looking for. On the other hand, for most any other company, business suits are the norm. If you don’t own a suit by any chance, wear something professional, not flashy. Dark pants or a skirt and a button down shirt will do the trick. Minimum jewelry, perfume sprays and makeup are in order as well. It’s a fine line to walk between professionalism and looking your best, but you want your employer to see you as the complete package, because, well, you are. Not having your spiel together Your spiel is your elevator speech. It’s how you sell yourself to your employer. Basically you’ll have around 30 seconds or less to succinctly present your qualifications. Remember it’s a job fair there are many other potential employees that the employer may want to get to, so they’re only going to give you so much time. You must carefully and purposefully develop your elevator speech. It’s like your rap: you say it passionately, almost without thinking. To do this, write a brief outline of your educational background, relevant experiences, and professional goals and/or interests. Practice it in front of a mirror or in front of your friends several times to make sure you’ve got it down pat. Failing to anticipate on-the-spot interview questions When you go to a career fair, expect employers to ask you questions. You want to prepare for this ahead of time by researching common questions that employers ask potential employees. Here are a few questions you might find directed your way: What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your specific goals in life? How have you prepared for this job or position? How would you describe yourself? How do you think you can be successful in this career? Where do you see yourself in three, five, or 10 years? Thinking about these questions ahead of time will help you to be able to carefully and quickly articulate your answers. You want to stumble across words as least as possible and certainly not come across as a deer caught in the headlights. Treating it like an actual fair Okay, I get the word “fair” doesn’t exactly put you in the mind of obtaining a good career. Since that’s the case, leave the food and drink, chewing gum and snacking at the door. Employers really could care less that you didn’t eat breakfast because you got up too late and had to get to the fair on time. Check your teeth, watch your breath, and by all means, stay off your phone. Failing to follow up This is probably the most important step to take after a career fair is over. Employers may be so swamped with resumes and interviews that you might fall off their radar, your resume could be misplaced, or they just simply never get around to calling you. You will never know unless you follow up. When you walk away from that career fair, you must have one or two or three next steps to implement. I have found it helpful that after applying for a job, sending a quick note after two weeks will usually garner a response. It also shows that you are eager to work and willing to take extra steps to see results. Many of your peers probably won’t do this, but it could be the thing that gets you hired. Whatever it is, make a plan to send an email, mail a letter, stop by the office, or call the human resources manager to follow up on your application. Better yet, send them a thank-you note  within 24 hours of the fair for taking the time to speak with you. (Thoughtfulness still goes a long way.) Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get your dream job on the first try. I’ve had several jobs and internships that were less than ideal throughout my college years. But every experience is good experience and it helps to develop you into the person you are today: stronger, smarter and well-rounded.