Wondering how to prepare for a career fair and what to expect? We’ve compiled our best resources to help get you started. There are multiple ways to prepare; choose the options that work for you (self-guided modules, workshops, individual appointments, etc.).
Six Steps to Building Career Fair Confidence
1. Visit Handshake and Register for the Fair
- Log into Handshake and update your profile
- Register for the fair (links here)
- Make sure to check to see if the fair is in-person or virtual
2. Update Your Resume
- Review the Media Library for recorded resume workshops
- Check out the Resume module (with templates)
- Attend a drop in resume review event
- Upload your resume(s) to Handshake
3. Practice Your Pitch
- Attend an upcoming networking workshop
- Networking and Personal Pitch video (recorded workshop on June 9, 2020)
- Check out the Networking module (with sample introductory sentences)
- Virtual Fairs: Test your computer audio and video
4. How to Prep for an In Person or Virtual Fair
- Prepping for an in-person fair:
- Make sure to dress for success – most in-person fairs are either business casual or business professional (you can refer to What Can I Wear to Work in the Career Development Toolkit for examples
- Prepare and print multiple copies of up-to-date resume to give to employers at the fair
- Look over which employers are attending on the fair page on Handshake
- Prepping for a virtual fair:
- Watch Ready for a Fair? Career Fair, That is! (recorded August 30, 2022)
- Watch Exploring your Interests at Career Fairs Workshop for First-Years (recorded February 7, 2022)
- Check out the Virtual Fairs module for step by step guidance (sample pages below)
5. Research Employers
- Check out the Job Search module (sample pages below)
- Sign up in Handshake to meet with specific employers at the fair (virtual fairs only)
- Follow employers in Handshake to learn about info sessions and job/internship opportunities
- Complete the Campus Recruiting (CR) tutorial if you want to sign up for an interview through Handshake after the fair
6. Get Personalized Assistance
- Schedule an appointment with Central Career Services or your college career office
- For troubleshooting start with Handshake Help Center and reach out to career@cornell.edu if needed
After the Career Fair
Check out the Career Development Toolkit for more modules to keep building your career readiness and prepare to submit applications and practice interviewing.
