Career fairs are a great way to get to know your job market and put your name out there to be hired by potential employers. There are many types of career fairs that Florida State sets up for its students to take advantage of. There are part-time job fairs, fairs specific to your college/major, graduate career fairs, and all major career fairs. During these career fairs, you can talk with employers, make connections, and even set up interviews or begin your application process.
Because of COVID, career fairs have been virtual. Most fairs take place once a semester. When you register beforehand on NoleNetwork, you can view the date and time it will take place as well as a list of the companies that will be attending. Do your own research on when the career fair you want to attend is here: https://career.fsu.edu/students/events.
There are some steps that are recommended you take before you attend a career fair. Firstly, have multiple copies of your resume on-hand to provide if needed. If you need any assistance, the Career Center can help you create a strong resume. Secondly, have a speech ready to recite to sell yourself. These speeches are usually 30 seconds long and describe yourself, what your major is, your interests, and why you like the organization you are speaking to. In order to make comments on and ask the employers about their company, you need to do your research based on the list of companies provided when you register. Finally, to make a good impression, you should dress professionally.
For additional advice on how to prepare for a career fair, the Career Center has a “Preparing for a Career Fair guide” here: https://career.fsu.edu/sites/g/files/imported/storage/original/application/1ad1d4dc79aa076c74409d97c046deaf.pdf. Additionally, you can register for a workshop that the Career Canter provides to help you improve your networking and interviewing skills at https://career.fsu.edu/students/workshops/workshop-presentations.
In conclusion, the career fairs provided by Florida State University is a great way for students to network and contact hiring employers. With a resume, an elevator speech, some good research, and a professional outfit you will be ready to take on a career fair.
Author: Jessica Cox
FSU Transfers Helping Transfers 