A quick guide for your next job fair - by Rachelle Lappinen, Career Consultant, Resume Writer and LinkedIn Trainer

1. MARKETING YOURSELF
AT A CAREER FAIR

2. APPEARANCE
 Wear a suit – or, at least professional
khakis, shirt/tie, jacket, and dress shoes
 Think conservative and tasteful – black,
grey, or other dark colors – nothing flashy!

3. APPEARANCE
 Jewelry, Accessories: Nothing that dangles, clanks, or draws
attention to itself
 Makeup: Subtle, professional; not flashy!
 Body art: Cover the tats – lose the face metal (yes, even
piercings). Ear rings okay if not too flashy.
 Hygiene:
 Shower and put on antiperspirant prior to attending; Eliminate
body odor!
 Trim nails, hair combed/cut, clean-shaven/facial hair trimmed

4. APPEARANCE
 Click on the below YouTube video for quick tips
on how to dress for the job fair
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NvHY-
drEBY

5. RESUMES
Purchase resume paper – off-
white color - don’t print resume on
regular copy paper!
Print at least 20 copies (but
maybe more!). Print them at least
one day in advance

6. RESEARCH
Review career fair web site –
especially Employer Roster
Determine if fair is good match
Locate companies / organizations
of interest - make a list and
prioritize them on a scale of 3

7. RESEARCH
Research each organization and
opportunity of interest.
At a minimum, become familiar with the
following:
Mission and Services
Primary client / customer / patient/etc.
Primary objectives/qualifications of
positions they are recruiting for

8. RESEARCH
Write/type notes on each
organization – on paper, on
file/flash cards, etc.
Arrange notes/cards in priority
order

9. PREPARE ELEVATOR SPEECH / ETC.
20 second to one minute
introduction/summary about yourself
Will serve as an “icebreaker” or answer
some broad questions that might be
asked such as “Tell me about
yourself?”

10. PREPARE ELEVATOR SPEECH / ETC.
Elevator Speech Content:
 Greeting, with your name
 Your college, major, class year
 Your objective/reason you approached the table
 Interest in using a skill; or, a previous
experience that will come in handy
 An indication that you already know something
about the organization/position
 End it with an insiteful question for them

11. AT THE FAIR
 Timely Arrival:
Arrive within the first half of the
fair’s advertised time frame
 Registration Table:
Typically, there is a registration area
which includes a map or list of
organizations. Don’t forget to stop
by!

12. AT THE FAIR
 Put away the cell phone prior to
entering exhibit area: No calls, or
texting – save it for the lobby area!
 Scope out the scene:
Walk around the exhibit hall once
before approaching tables – locate
the organizations you’ve prepared
for

13. AT THE FAIR
Start your approach! Start with one of the
#2’s (interested) from your list – go to the
#3’s (very interested) once you’re warmed
up!
Firm handshake, smile, eye contact

14. AT THE TABLE (S)
Resume: If they don’t ask for your
resume, offer to give it to them
However….
** Don’t be offended if they don’t take the resume;
they might also tell you to apply online, in
addition to (or instead of ) taking the resume

15. AT THE TABLE (S)
Networking Card:
Offer them your networking card; be sure
your LinkedIn url is on it, along with
accurate contact information!

16. FOLLOW UP: THANK YOU
Within two business days after fair:
Write thank you notes to all
recruiters you visited - You will
have their contact information
because you asked for it!

17. FOLLOW UP: THANK YOU
Within two business days after fair:
 Three to five sentences
 Make it customized
 Recall something specific about the
conversation

18. FOLLOW UP: THANK YOU
Within two business days after fair:
3/31/16
Dear Mr. Hill:
I enjoyed meeting you and learning more about W.B. Mason at the
Worcester Workforce Career Fair on Tuesday, 3/29. The Sales
Associate position sounds like one where I can make a strong
contribution with my proven communication and follow up skills.
I was especially impressed by the two week training program you
told me about. I will follow up with an official application soon.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Maya Angelou

19. FOLLOW UP: APPLY!
Within two business days of fair
 Make a timeline for yourself of
opportunities, deadlines,
application procedures for each
opportunity of interest
 Start applying within one week for
those that indicated immediate
applications available

20. FOLLOW UP: APPLY!
COVER LETTERS
 Write cover letters for each position
you apply for, in addition to your
resume
 Within the first paragraph in your
letter, include a reminder that you met
at the fair; or, referral with recruiter’s
name

21. FOLLOW UP: APPLY!
COVER LETTERS: SAMPLE FIRST PARAGRAPH
Dear Ms. Moore:
I am writing to apply for the Marketing
Assistant position at Umass Medical School.
We met at the Colleges of Worcester
Consortium Career Fair on March 29th, and
discussed the position at length. My experience
in sales, and initiative to take leadership
position at Becker College, make me a perfect
candidate for this position.

22. FOLLOW UP: PHONE CALLS
 Contact the recruiter 1.5 to two
weeks after submitting your
application
 Indicate that you submitted a
resume on XYZ date, and are calling
to ask when they expect to make
interview decisions, or if there is
anything else you can do for your
candidacy

23. FOLLOW UP: PHONE CALLS
 Voice mail: Most likely, you will
leave a voice mail to accomplish
this. It is highly likely you won’t
get a call back. Don’t necessarily
take this to mean bad news.

24. SolutionsByRachelle.wordpress.com
 By day, Rachelle, working mother of two, serves as an
education advocate and career advisor for MassEdCO.
By night, Rachelle provided career consulting and
works to promote green energy. When Rachelle is not
writing her blog, advising her students, or coaching
her clients, she enjoys camping and going to
the theater with her two children.