So you're going to the Career Fair at school and you're feeling a bit overwhelmed. Maybe it's your first one, or maybe it's your fourth. Either way, it can make you feel a bit nervous and unsure of yourself - "If they don't like me, will I ever get a job?" I can't solve those problems for you, but I can try to help you deal with them. My first time at the career fair was during the spring of my sophomore year so, needless to say, I was utterly confused and frazzled. But I'm here to tell you it gets better, and it's there to help you, so let it. If you're still confused about what to expect or how to act, though, here are some tips: 1. Be personable, not nervous. Treat it like any other time where you were exposed to new acquaintances, like first days of school and such. Try to find connections with the person you’re talking to and use them to continue the conversation. At the end of the day, these "scary business professionals" are just people, and they know exactly how you're feeling. They were once there too. 2. Bring resumes, but don’t expect everyone to take them. It tends to be more common now for them to take down your info somewhere or hand you a business card and tell you to email your resume to them, simply because everything is done online now. Paper applications are all but obsolete. 3. Take a look at the list of who’s coming, and try to do some quick research on the companies you’re most interested in; especially if you’re a senior on the job hunt, because it will just make things flow that much smoother when you can bring up things in conversation about their company. Plus, it will impress them, which is always a bonus. (click to enlarge the photos) 4. Dress professionally, but dress comfortably. Don’t wear those 6-inch heels that you wore to homecoming in high school if you can barely walk in them. Instead, find a nice pair of flats that enable you to get around quicker. Don’t wear something just because it looks fancy hanging in your closet; make sure it fits and is something you feel good in. If you don’t feel confident, you won’t look it. 5. Don’t panic if their booth is swamped. Remember that you are qualified and you have a right to speak to these representatives, too. Don’t give up before you've even had a turn up at bat. 6. You don’t get points for how many business cards you have at the end of the day. It’s quality of your conversations, not quantity of them that counts. And be wary of being that person who laughs at all the jokes a little too loudly, and seems a little too eager... enthusiasm is good, but don't overdo it. 7. Don’t be afraid to talk to companies that interest you, even if they’re not explicitly pertaining to your major and you just want to know more about their company. No shame in that, besides, what have you got to lose? 8. Send "thank you" emails. I cannot stress this enough. In order to retain their interest, you must follow up and acknowledge them with a thank you note!! This can even be the gateway to an internship or job somewhere down the line. In your email, try to mention things you talked about so that you stand out to them and they remember you personally, but don’t overload them. A few sentences is sufficient to jog their memory, keep their attention, and get the wheels spinning. 9. Take a deep breath, and relax. This is the beginning of a new era of your life. Everyone before you has done the same, and they’ve survived. You’re gonna be OK. In fact, you’re gonna be more than OK. You’re going to thrive.
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