What’s Inside
What to expect from a career fair...................2
How to work a career fair................................3
Before a career fair............................................3
During a career fair..........................................4
After a career fair..............................................4
Dos and don’ts...................................................4
Create an elevator speech................................5
Sample business cards......................................6
Sample portfolio................................................7
Questions to ask employers.............................7
Following up with employers.........................7
Mary Buzzea
Leigh Eskin
Objectives
1. Enhance your understanding of a career fair and
its purpose.
2. Become aware of how to research employers and
best prepare to aend one of these events.
3. Successfully create and deliver an “elevator
speech.”
4. Learn how to eectively navigate a career fair.
5. Enhance your networking skills.
6. Recognize the importance of following up with
employers.
Florida State University Career Center’s
Career Fairs
Each year, the Florida State University Career Center
hosts a variety of career fair events. Some examples of
these include:
• SeminoleFuturesCareerFair(AllMajors):
fall and spring semesters
• Part-TimeJobFair(AllMajors):fall and
spring semesters
• EngineeringDay:fall and spring semesters
• GraduateandProfessionalSchoolFair:
fall semester
What are the benets of aending a
career fair?
• Opportunity to interact one-on-one with
employers of interest
• Practice and enhance networking skills
• Gain awareness of organizations and positions
they are hiring for
• Establish professional relationships and gather
contact information from employers
• Discover a myriad of internship and job
opportunities
• Possibly receive an invitation for an on-
campus interview
Preparing for a Career Fair
Preparing for a Career Fair
2
What is a career fair?
A career fair is an event that gives students and
employers a chance to meet one another, establish
professional relationships, and discuss potential job
and/or internship opportunities.
Manyemployersfromavarietyofindustriesaend,
and there are both general and specialized career fair
events. For example, the Seminole Futures Career
Fair, held every fall and spring semester, is a general
career fair in which employers are seeking to hire
studentsfromavarietyofdierentmajors.Onthe
other hand, the Education & Library Career Fair,
while open to any major, is a specialized event in
whichemployersaendingareseekingstudents
majoring in Education, Library and Information
Studies, or other related majors.
What is most unique about a career fair is that
employerschoosetoaendtheseeventsinorderto
meet and recruit excellent candidates. In many cases,
recruiters are actual Florida State graduates and are
excited to come back to FSU and recruit students from
their alma mater.
Who can aend a career fair?
There is a common misconception that only juniors
andseniorsshouldaendacareerfair.However,
allclassications(includingfreshmen,sophomores,
juniors,andseniors)canbenetfromaendinga
career fair.
Byaendingacareerfair,freshmencanexplore
opportunitiesintheireldofinterest,aswellasask
questions about internships and/or job opportunities.
Sophomores and juniors can utilize a career fair for
thesesamereasons.Seniorscommonlyaendcareer
fairs seeking full-time job positions and can actively
network with recruiters during these events.
Onanothernote,allmajorscanaendanycareer
fair. Employers are typically interested in meeting
studentsfromavarietyofdierentacademic
backgrounds. In addition, both undergraduate and
graduatestudentsarelikelytobenetfromaending
these events. Finally, alumni and community
membersarealsowelcometoaendallFSUcareer
fairs.
What can I expect from aending a career
fair?
Acommonmisconceptionofaendingacareerfair
event is that students/community members often
believe that they should leave the event with an
internship and/or job opportunity in hand. Although
this may happen, it is very rare. The purpose of a
career fair is to enhance your job search network and
learn more about organizations hiring FSU students.
What other opportunity will you have for employers
to come straight to you? Use this opportunity to
present yourself favorably, gather useful information,
and establish new contacts! Your small investment
oftimeandeortmightverywellturnintoan
opportunity you would not have had otherwise.
WhattoExpectFromaCareerFair
Preparing for a Career Fair
3
Before a career fair
1. Create a strong résumé.
•VisitTheCareerCentertohaveyourrésumé
reviewed, and be sure to have multiple
copies(minimumof20)printedon
professional résumé paper before the career
fair.
•Decideifyouneedmorethanone
version of your résumé, depending on your
jobtarget(s).
2. Develop and practice an elevator speech.
•Developinganelevatorspeechis
likely one of the most important components
in preparing for a career fair.
•Prepareanelevatorspeechbeforetheday’s
event, but also practice it with a career
advisor at FSU’s Career Center.
•Identifyresourcesonpage5.
3. Research employers and objectives for what you
plan to accomplish during the career fair.
•Identifywhichemployersyouwanttotalk
to BEFORE the event by researching the
organizationsaending.
•Researchandfollowupwithaendees.
The FSU Career Center keeps an updated list
ofaendeesonitswebsite
(career.fsu.edu/fairs).
 •TIP:Ifyouhaveproperlypreparedfor
the event, you will have more time to focus
on representatives from organizations of
interest.
3. Prepare to dress for success at the event.
•Viewthe“DressingtoImpress”guide
located at career.fsu.edu/advising/guides.cfm.
•Keepinmindthat55%ofanyinteraction
is visual, meaning it is not always what you
say but how you look when you say it.
 •Wearatwo-piecesuit,ifpossible.Usuallya
dark color is preferred.
•Usesimpleaccessoriesandclosed-toed 
shoes for females.
•Chooseaconservativetie.
•Avoidexcesscologneand/orperfume.
5.Aendacareerfairpreparationworkshop.
•ChecktheFSUCareerCenterwebsitefor
upcoming workshop events at
hp://www.career.fsu.edu/calendar.
6. Consider creating a professional business card
(seepage6forexamples).
•TIP:Thisisoptionalandnotrequired.
7. Consider purchasing a professional business
portfolio to help keep your items organized
(seepage7foranexample).
•Purchaseabusinessportfolioforunder
$20.00atanyocesupplystore.
•Includecopiesofyourrésumé,business
cards, and employer literature that you
willgatherwhileaendingtheevent.
•Usethespaceinsideyourbusinessportfolio
to take notes.
8. Sign up for SeminoleLink Plus! services.
•Refertocareer.fsu.edu/seminolelink/ for
instructions on how to obtain SeminoleLink
Plus! services.
•Updateyourproleandprofessional
documentspriortoaendingthecareerfair,
even if you already have Plus! services.
•TIP:ItisalwaysbesttohaveaccesstoPlus!
servicespriortoaendingacareerfairevent.
This way, if employers request that you
follow up for on-campus interviews, then
you have already begun the process!
9. Consider your online presence.
•UpdateorcreateaLinkedInprole.
•CleanupyourFacebookproleandput
yourseingsonprivate.
•Addressall“digitaldirt.”
HowtoWorkaCareerFair
Preparing for a Career Fair
4
DO:
• Leaveyourbackpack(oranyunneccessary
items) in your car if you can.
• Bring plenty of copies of your résumé.
• Develop a strong elevator speech.
• Use strong non-verbal communication when
interactingwithemployers(handshake).
• Ask questions.
• Knowabouttheemployeryouarevisiting
with.
• Dress professionally.
• Follow up.
DO NOT:
• Bring a cell phone in with you to the event.
Leave this in the car.
• Askanemployer“Whatdoesyour
organizationdo?”or“Whatpositionsare
youhiringfor?”Thisindicatesthatyou
have not done your homework and are not
invested in them.
• Ask questions about salary and employer
benets.
• Collectfreestuwhenyouarenotoered.
• NOT ask questions!
During a career fair
1. Leave your cell phone and any other items that
maycausedistraction(e.g.,backpack,skateboard)
in your car.
2. Arrive early to avoid long lines.
3. Familiarize yourself with the fair’s layout and
location of organizations before entering the
careerfairevent.(Aprogramwillbe
provided upon arrival.)
4.Bepositiveandcondent!
•Sixtypercentofanindividualinteraction
involves nonverbal communication.
Thisincludesarmhandshake,eye
contact, nodding your head, and most
importantly - SMILING!
•TIP:Itmaybehelpfultovisitwithyour
“favorite”employerLAST.Useother
employers on your list to practice and
become more comfortable in introducing
yourself.
5. Ask thoughtful questions!
•Seepage7forsamplequestionstoaskan
employer.
6. Leave your résumé and if applicable, business
card, with each representative that you speak
with.
•Oftentimes,employersatacareerfair
will not take a paper copy of your résumé
simply because all documents have to
besubmiedelectronically.Rather,
employersmayencourageyouto“apply
online”-donotbediscouragedbythis
request.
7. Request a business card from the employer
(orcontactnameifemployerisnothandingout
business cards).
8.Takenotes(inyourbusinessportfolioif
neccessary).
9. Be open-minded. Most employers are recruiting
students from all majors. Therefore, it is
importanttobecondentinyourmajorandfocus
ontheskillsyouhavetooeranemployer!
After a career fair
1. Follow up with employers! If, for example,
an employer expressed interest in looking at your
website, be sure to email the URL link like you
said you would.
2.Writeleerstoemployers,preferablythatsame
day, thanking them for their time.
3. Be sure to check and sign up for on-campus
interviews(withtheFSUCareerCenter),which
may be conducted with some organizations
following the career fair.
HowtoWorkaCareerFair(cont.)
Preparing for a Career Fair
5
When introducing yourself to a potential employer,
you should be able to quickly describe your career
goals, core strengths, and relevant experiences. This
personalcommercialisoftencalledan“elevator
speech”simplybecause,ifyouweretostepintoan
elevator with the CEO/President of an organization
youwereinterestedinworkingforandhad30
seconds to tell this employer enough information to
make them want to hire you, what would you say?
In giving your elevator speech, it is best to connect
yourpersonalexperiencesandqualicationswiththe
organizationanddescribewhyyouareagood“t.”
HowtoCreateanElevatorSpeech
Your elevator speech should include
the following elements
• Your name and present status/situation
• Brief overview of your unique experiences,
skills,andqualications
• Aconnectionbetweenwhatyoucanoer
and what you know about them
• Pertinent questions that the employer can
respond to
1.WhoamI?(Includeyourfullname,currentstatusasanFSUstudent,major/minor)
2.WhatdoIhavetooer?(Includeuniqueexperienceshere-previousworkexperience,student
organization involvement, volunteer work, internships)
3.WhyamIinterestedinyourorganization(orthisindustry)?(Usethisopportunitytodemonstratethat
you have done your research)
4.WhatdoIhavetooerandhowamIagood“t”withyourorganization?(Usethisasasummary
statement)
5.QuestionsIhavefortheemployer.(Besttoalwaysendwithaquestion-seepage7forsample
questions)
• TIP:Itisimportantthatyoupracticedeliveringyourelevatorspeechtoarecruiterbeforeaendingthe
career fair. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel. Meet with a career advisor at the
FSU Career Center to receive feedback on your elevator speech.
Use the lines below to begin to answer questions that will help you construct your elevator speech.
Preparing for a Career Fair
6
Samplebusinesscards
Image courtesy of Target Copy
It is typically best to include the
following information on a professional
business card
1.Theuniversity’sname(FloridaStateUniversity)
2. Your full name
3.Yourmajorand/orminor(e.g.,BachelorofScience
in Hospitality Management)
4. Contact information, including a professional
phone number and email
Suggesions on where to create/purchase
business cards
1.Anyocesupplystore
2. Copying and printing businesses
3. www.vistaprint.com
4. www.123print.com
5. Target Copy
Optional information to include on a
professional business card
1. Your address
2.Apersonaland/orprofessionalwebsite(including
LinkedIn)
3.Studentorganizationinvolvement(e.g.,Senator
for Student Government Association)
4. Cumulative and/or major GPA
5. QR code
Preparing for a Career Fair
7
Sampleportfolio
Tips for following up with an employer
Follow-upisacriticalpartofaendingacareerfair
event. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Request the recruiter’s business card.
•Askforacontactnameandemailifthe
recruiter is not handing out a business card.
•DONOTbediscouragedifanemployer
is not handing out business cards.
Keepinmind,recruiterstraveltoseveral
universities across the United States and
may prefer not to distribute their contact
information to every individual. This is why
it is important to ask appropriate questions
about the hiring process, obtain a contact
name, and be sure to follow up.
•Followtheinstructionsgiventoyouby
the employer. For example, if an employer
encourages you to apply online, then be sure
that you submit your application online
within the next 2 days. Remember, you
are likely going to leave your résumé and/or
business card with the employer. Therefore,
they will be looking for your
application online.
•TIP:TheFSUCareerCentercollectsbusiness
cardsfromeverycareerfairaendee.If 
you forget to ask for a business card or
an employer is not handing them
out, then you can access this information
through SeminoleLink.
2. Inquire about on-campus interviews.
3. Complete the online application process, if
required.
4. Send a thank you note - preferably that same day.
•SeeGuideto“WritingEectiveLeers”
undertheInterviewAppreciationLeer
section, career.fsu.edu/advising/guides.cfm.
Possible questions to ask employers
Q. What are common career paths within your
organization?
Q. What kind of training programs do you have for
new hires?
Q. What qualities and/or characteristics do successful
candidates possess?
Q. What is the organizational culture like?
Q. What suggestions would you have for a student
in their ____ year in school? How can I make
myselfbeerpreparedfortheworldofwork?
Q. Are there courses that I should take that will help
me in your industry?
Q. How do you enjoy working for this organization?
•TIP:Itisimportantnottosolelyrelyon
these sample questions. Be sure to
thoroughly research the organization and
devise 2-3 questions of your own.
*Aendingcareerfairscanbetheperfectway
to explore your future and start thinking about
employers and jobs of interest. The purpose of
aendingacareerfairistoenhanceyourjobsearch
network.Simplyaendingacareerfairisnotenough;
you must strategically navigate the fair and do your
researchonemployersbeforeaendingtheevent.
It is important to adequately prepare for this event,
which includes preparation before, during, and after
acareerfair.Remember,youhavealottooeran
employer. Best of luck in your career fair experience!
Alternative Format Available.
Revised10/13.
850.644.6431•career.fsu.edu