It had officially begun. The second semester of my senior year. What was I going to do with my life? What was I passionate about? Where could I find true happiness doing something that I love? More importantly, how on earth was I ever going to pay back all of my student loans?
These are questions that lay heavily on many peoples’ minds, I’m sure. And so, what better way to solve all of them than by attending one of these mysterious, incredible intimidating, ‘I’m-sure-these-are-just-for-finance-majors’ (which they’re not) Career Fairs! Urged forward by my desire to find myself (and perhaps also by a nagging mother), last year I ventured out into strange lands, conquered the unknown, and gained a bucketful of confidence by attending the Career Fair. And if I can do it, so can you!
Here are a few tips that will help everyone go from panicky mess to suave job/internship candidate:
Tip No. 1: Be Prepared
The unfailing Boy Scout motto can serve us all here. Bring at least ten copies of your resume, preferably printed on resume paper (available at your friendly Career Services Office!). Make sure it’s in tip-top shape, as you’ll be handing it out to several potential employers. Resume review is also available at Career Services, so think about going in for an appointment some time before. But if you can’t, at least have someone look it over for you beforehand to make sure there are absolutely no errors! And don’t forget to dress to impress! Employers are going to speaking to hundreds of other students during the fair. You don’t want to be remembered as the kid with a hole in his shirt. Come in professional attire, looking neat and clean, and don’t worry about the snow ruining your best suit. There’ll be a coat check that day to help you look your best.
Tip No. 2: Take a Minute (or Ten)
Once you get to the fair, it’s going to be
incredibly overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been to one before. There
are fancy people in suits walking around everywhere, that girl you have
Philosophy with is apparently the most sophisticated person you’ve ever met
(look how great she looks! Did you hear what intelligent questions she asked
and OMG is that novel her resume??). There doesn’t seem to be a single
welcoming face in the crowd!
Don’t worry. All is not as it seems. Take a minute. Check your coat. Look at the provided list of employers who are there, and, if you haven’t already (see Tip No. 1), identify a few employers that you’d really like to speak with. And maybe don’t approach your dream company while you’re still out of breath from walking up the stairs. Work up to it. Maybe talk to the people who don’t have anyone at their table and smiled at you (there’s a welcoming face!), even if you don’t quite think you’d like to work there. Learn more about their company. Practice your elevator pitch. Warm yourself up. By the third person you talk to, you’ll look just as sophisticated as Philosophy Girl.
Tip No. 3: Follow Up
Now that you sound super-confident and totally know what you’re doing and are definitely going to land that internship, don’t be afraid to follow up! Make sure you get the contact information of people who had great conversations with. Shoot them an e-mail afterwards. Remind them of your conversation, and thank them for taking the time to speak with you. Employers remember students who follow up, and it always helps to be remembered!
So there you have it. Three simple tips to turn that looming Career Fair from anxiety-inducer to confidence-booster. Here’s something else to get excited about. These are some of the employers who will be attending Wednesday’s Career Fair! (This is where Tip No. 1 comes in handy; use this to do some research!)
AllianceBernstein
American Girl
Christie's
Corporate Insights
CPEX Real Estate
Deloitte
Fortress Investment Group
Grant Thornton
ICAP
KPMG
Havas Media
Madison Square Garden
JP Morgan
LFB Media Group
SoulCycle
St. Barnabas Hospital
Tough Mudder
Find the full list of companies attending the Career & Internship Fair in CareerLink > Events tab.
See you at the FAIR!
Don’t worry. All is not as it seems. Take a minute. Check your coat. Look at the provided list of employers who are there, and, if you haven’t already (see Tip No. 1), identify a few employers that you’d really like to speak with. And maybe don’t approach your dream company while you’re still out of breath from walking up the stairs. Work up to it. Maybe talk to the people who don’t have anyone at their table and smiled at you (there’s a welcoming face!), even if you don’t quite think you’d like to work there. Learn more about their company. Practice your elevator pitch. Warm yourself up. By the third person you talk to, you’ll look just as sophisticated as Philosophy Girl.
Tip No. 3: Follow Up
Now that you sound super-confident and totally know what you’re doing and are definitely going to land that internship, don’t be afraid to follow up! Make sure you get the contact information of people who had great conversations with. Shoot them an e-mail afterwards. Remind them of your conversation, and thank them for taking the time to speak with you. Employers remember students who follow up, and it always helps to be remembered!
So there you have it. Three simple tips to turn that looming Career Fair from anxiety-inducer to confidence-booster. Here’s something else to get excited about. These are some of the employers who will be attending Wednesday’s Career Fair! (This is where Tip No. 1 comes in handy; use this to do some research!)
AllianceBernstein
American Girl
Christie's
Corporate Insights
CPEX Real Estate
Deloitte
Fortress Investment Group
Grant Thornton
ICAP
KPMG
Havas Media
Madison Square Garden
JP Morgan
LFB Media Group
SoulCycle
St. Barnabas Hospital
Tough Mudder
Find the full list of companies attending the Career & Internship Fair in CareerLink > Events tab.
See you at the FAIR!
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