Seriously, Stop Dreading the Career Fair
By: Cara Steves
March 19, 2024
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Picture this – you’ve just trekked across campus to the annual career fair. You are sweaty, disheveled, and probably in business casual shoes that never quite fit right. You are clutching your resume like it’s the last tangible thing in the universe, your sweaty hands causing the ink to run down the page. You peer out into a sea of students approaching various employees at their respective booths. You, for a minute, consider turning right back around to the safety of your dorm hall, booking it far far away from the words “networking,” “recruiter,” and “internship.”
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Trust me, I’ve been there.
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The spring of my freshman year, I attended my first career fair at Syracuse University. I had nothing but a half finished resume, a borrowed blazer from my roommate, and a hope and a dream. I vividly remember the cloud of anxiety hanging in the air, watching students nervously adjusting their collars and shuffling through their bags to pluck a freshly printed resume that had gotten crumpled in transit. No one teaches you how to mentally prepare for the career fair, and yet you are expected to show up and present the best possible version of yourself to complete strangers. Crazy right?
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Though I’m no expert, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks along the way that have not only changed my perspective on the career fair, but actually excite me about attending (can you believe that?).
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Let’s start with how to prepare.
First, choosing an outfit that meets somewhere between business casual and business professional is key. It is common for female students to wear trousers and a more relaxed shirt, or a blazer or sweater with more casual pants. A comfortable outfit is important to ensure you are presenting not necessarily the best, but the most relaxed version of yourself. Whether you are choosing a blazer, a pair of trousers, or a sweater, opt for well-fitting clothing. You will appear anything but relaxed if you are adjusting your skirt or checking for pit stains every minute. It’s also probably time to ditch the pointed toe-heels and find a pair of comfortable, sleek flats that you can walk easily in.
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Next, do some research on the companies attending. Take some time to look into which companies align with your interests or future goals. If you don’t know what you are interested in, pick a few that sound familiar to you or have the most interesting website or mission statement. Jot down these companies and plan to hit all of them, but be careful not to exceed more than five companies. It can get tiring speaking to the recruiters (especially if you are fake smiling). Print out your resume for each of the companies you plan to speak to (pack a few extras just in case). When you’re running out of the door, don’t forget your resumes, a water bottle, and a pack of gum. You’ll thank me later.
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Keep Breathing
Before you head in, take a minute to breathe. There are many breathing techniques that studies have shown to physically relax us in stressful moments. The best part is that there are ways to practice breath work that are subtle enough that no one will notice, even if you’re in public. The video below shows one of my favorites, called box breathing, but if that’s not your speed, check out these other breathing techniques.
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Mindset
Last, and probably most important, the more positive your attitude remains about the experience, the better it will turn out. If you walk in with confidence and a genuine desire to be there, any uncomfortable feelings that are associated with putting yourself out there will dissipate. You have so much to offer (so much so that the recruiters from each company are literally getting paid to meet you). Say a few affirmations to yourself as you approach each booth. The more you say it the more you will believe it.
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The career fair is for you to practice making connections with people. A helpful tip is to greet anyone you meet with a compliment upon meeting them. It can be something simple, like complimenting a piece of jewelry the person is wearing, or can even be generic about the company, like “I’ve heard so many awesome things about this company, I would love to hear more!” Let the recruiter do most of the talking, and contribute enthusiastically and honestly about your interests. Remember that it gets easier each time you do it, and each experience could be leading you one step closer to an awesome internship or future job.
You got this!