How to Network with How to Network with Employers at a Employers at a

Career FairCareer Fair

Chris EastChris East

Letters & Science Career Services Letters & Science Career Services

1305 Linden Drive, Suite 2051305 Linden Drive, Suite 205

Middleton Building Middleton Building

What to ExpectWhat to Expect

The 1-minute CommercialThe 1-minute Commercial

Prepare an opening Prepare an opening statement about statement about yourself, including:yourself, including:– NameName– MajorMajor– Year in SchoolYear in School– What you have doneWhat you have done– Where you are goingWhere you are going

Survey the LandSurvey the Land

Familiarize yourselfFamiliarize yourself Observe othersObserve others Calm your nervesCalm your nerves

Meet Employers- Start Small Meet Employers- Start Small

Prioritize top 4-5 employersPrioritize top 4-5 employers DonDon’’t go to your top pick firstt go to your top pick first Get comfortable talking about Get comfortable talking about

yourself! yourself! Practice your elevator speechPractice your elevator speech Calm your nervesCalm your nerves

Make a good first Make a good first impressionimpression

Write legibly on nametagWrite legibly on nametag Good firm handshakeGood firm handshake Explain interest and show enthusiasmExplain interest and show enthusiasm Have well-tailored resume, just in caseHave well-tailored resume, just in case Know your availability for potential Know your availability for potential

interviewsinterviews Show knowledge of employer and ask Show knowledge of employer and ask

relevant questionsrelevant questions

Good Sample QuestionsGood Sample Questions Other questions to be considered will depend Other questions to be considered will depend

on your goals (career exploration vs. job on your goals (career exploration vs. job search)search)– What qualities and background are you looking for What qualities and background are you looking for

in employees? in employees? – What courses would you recommend someone What courses would you recommend someone

take before being hired as a ______________?take before being hired as a ______________?– What is the application process for your What is the application process for your

organization? (When you give them your resume, organization? (When you give them your resume, ask what the next step in the process is.)ask what the next step in the process is.)

– Do you have a business card I could have for future Do you have a business card I could have for future reference and contact? OR Who can I contact in the reference and contact? OR Who can I contact in the future?future?

Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations

ItIt’’s not an interviews not an interview Keep it short – there are other students Keep it short – there are other students

waitingwaiting Take a break if neededTake a break if needed Be personable and make a connectionBe personable and make a connection

– Be sure to explain how your background and Be sure to explain how your background and experiences make you qualified for the positionexperiences make you qualified for the position

Once you have finished with the recruiter, Once you have finished with the recruiter, write a few quick notes about what you write a few quick notes about what you talked about – for future referencetalked about – for future reference

After the FairAfter the Fair

Write Thank-You NotesWrite Thank-You Notes

Send a Thank-you email or Send a Thank-you email or letterletter

Follow-up within 24 hoursFollow-up within 24 hours Use the business cards you collected or Use the business cards you collected or

contact L&S Career Services if you need contact L&S Career Services if you need contact information for an employer contact information for an employer representative from fair representative from fair

Include key points you may have Include key points you may have discussed to jog their memory (refer to discussed to jog their memory (refer to your notes)your notes)

Reference the UW-Madison Career FairReference the UW-Madison Career Fair You might reiterate some of your You might reiterate some of your

qualifications in the thank-you notequalifications in the thank-you note