Career Fairs and Recruiting Events
Each February, Otterbein students participate in CareerFest, a job and internship fair that is sponsored by the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC). Over a hundred employers - businesses, corporations, non-profit groups and government agencies - and students from all over Ohio come to discuss permanent employment and internship opportunities. Participating recruiters rate this as one of the best events they attend all year. Many employers and students engage in follow-up interviews. Click here for more information about the event.
Tips for Getting the Most out of a Career Fair
You've got plenty of copies of your resume, you've practiced your handshake, and your interview outfit is pressed. Now what? Here are a few pointers gleaned from recruiters who attend career fairs.
- These are serious networking opportunities, so act professionally. Wear the most professional outfit you own.
- Take time before the career fair to find out which companies will be represented there. Check out the websites of those you are most interested in and go to those tables first. Have a game plan and focus on no more than three or four companies you are truly interested in. Your research will ensure that you have an intelligent comment or question about the company you are approaching. When you engage a recruiter in intelligent dialogue, you stand out. You have limited time at the career fair, so use it wisely.
- Bring multiple copies of your resume. Some employers will take them, some won’t. Companies have rules and internal procedures regarding applicants. Most employers will require you to apply for positions online to be considered as an official applicant.
- When you talk to employers, keep your conversations focused and brief. Introduce yourself with a small, firm handshake and direct eye contact. Nothing ticks off an employer more than a student who approaches them at their table and says, "So, tell me about your company." It's okay to ask pertinent questions, but don't expect the recruiters to do the work for you.
- Prepare a two- to three-line script to introduce yourself—your “elevator speech”. You should try to impress recruiters within the first few minutes of conversation. Maintain good eye contact and offer a firm handshake and a few sentences telling them what they want to know.
- Don’t ask the recruiter personal questions, focus on the company. Such personal questions sound frivolous. When you give a recruiter your resume, ask what the next step in the process is. Recruiters worth their weight will be able to tell you. Still, don't be surprised if recruiters don't hand out their personal business cards.
- Go find a table where there are no applicants lining up. This way you can get some one-on-one advice. You can learn something from employers even if they are not working in your field.
- Be conversational with the other job seekers. With 60 percent of job offers being the direct result of networking, you never know who might be able to provide valuable information.
- Help others while you are there. Career fairs are very tiring. Volunteering to help event organizers or exhibitors will come back to you in some way.