Going to a Career Fair? How Can You Stand Out in the Crowd?

The busy Fall Semester career fair season is almost here. If you plan to attend career fairs, what are you going to do to make sure you stand out in the crowd of students? No, you don't need to stand on your head to stand out, but here are some tips for you to be outstanding.

Know yourself. Figure out the kinds of positions you want to pursue. What experience, skills and knowledge do you bring? Be able to articulate that in your elevator pitch. Need help with creating your introduction or pitch? Visit here.

Do your research. Visit the career fair web site to see the employers attending the fair. Develop a target list of employers and go to their web sites. Check their job listings. Is there an opening you're interested in? Then, go ahead and apply. Another good place to check on employer web sites is their NEWS. Also, visit Hokies4Hire to see if the employer is coming on campus to interview. Don't see a job listing or on-campus interview opportunity? Then, ask employers about when they plan to interview or what openings they have.

Polish your resume. Although some employers may not accept copies of resumes at career fairs, you still want to be armed with copies of yours on nice resume paper. To make sure you don't have any typos or other issues with your resume, come to Career Services Walk-In Advising, Resumania, or other advising hours.

Dress to impress. No, you're not going clubbing, so leave your short dress or skirt or revealing top at home. Worried that your skirt is too short? Then it is. Wear shoes that you won't mind standing in for over an hour. Typical attire for career fairs ranges from business casual to business professional. If you look good, you'll feel good. For more tips on attire, visit here.

Show your interest. How do you let an employer know of your interest? We already talked about research and that's one way. Asking questions is another means for demonstrating your interest in an employer or opening. Need help with questions to ask? Visit here. Still another means to indicate interest is to follow up with an employer. As you meet recruiters, ask for their business cards. Send a thank you note to a recruiter after the fair, along with another copy of your resume. Call a few weeks after the fair to inquire about your application status.

Still want more information for your career fair preparation? Visit our infographic on Play your cards right at career fairs. Never been to a fair before? Get a clue here. And check here if you want to know more about after the career fair.