Career Fairs
From Unofficial Guide to Engineering
Contents |
What are they?
They are a great opportunity to interact with companies and make an impression on the recruiters. It’s also a chance to both learn about the industry and its participants.
When are they held?
Many groups sponsor career fairs all year round. The career center consistently holds various fairs for different students. Some examples include EECS career fair, graduate school fair and diversity school fair. The schedule varies by the year; check the career center website section for career fair at: http://career.berkeley.edu/Fairs/Fairs.stm for details for upcoming events. Additionally, other student groups, not associated with the career center, hold their own events. For more information, check the flyers and bulletin boards around your classes for updates and events.
Tau Beta Pi hosts a Science and Engineering Career Fair every year in the fall. This fall, the career fair will take place on September 26 in Pauley Ballroom.
How should I get ready for career fairs?
You need to prepare for career fairs to get the most out of the event. Here are some tips from the career center website http://career.berkeley.edu/Fairs/fairsTips.stm, with some of my side comments.
- Bring many copies of your resume to give to employers. I would personally bring a dozen at least.
- Come prepared. Before the fair, review the online directory of employers and their job opportunities. If you spend a little time getting some background on an organization, you can ask very focused and specific questions. This impresses representatives because it shows a genuine interest in them.
- Dress appropriately. First impressions are important. While campus attire is acceptable for fairs, you will probably be most comfortable if you at least dress in "business casual." See Interview Attire.
- Allow yourself adequate time. Come as early as possible. You may need to return between classes. Typically, fairs are less crowded in early hours and are busiest during the lunch hour and at the end. Fairs close promptly at publicized ending times to accommodate employers' travel arrangements.
- Prioritize the employers that you're most interested in. If your schedule allows, you may find it easiest to start with the employers in which you're the least interested. This will allow you to hone your approach and to be most confident when you approach the employers you're especially excited about. Be sure to balance this tip with the reality that you may have little time and that many other students may be interested in the same employers. Assume that you will need to wait to speak with some employers.
What should I be aware of during the career fair?
It’s important to conduct yourself appropriately during the fair not only to make a good impression, but also to practice professional behavior. Here are more tips from the career center website with added comments.
- Get your bearings. When you arrive, take a few minutes to review the map and directory for the fair. You may feel more comfortable if you quickly locate and walk by the employers in whom you're most interested. This will confirm their location and alert you to any crowds or lines of other students waiting.
- Introduce yourself. Extend your hand, say "hello" and state your name. Welcome the representative to Cal. Have your resume ready to give to the employer.
- Take notes when you inquire about next steps and the possibility of talking with additional managers. The representative at the fair may not be able to answer all of your questions or know specifics about your job interests. Write down the names, telephone numbers, etc. of other staff in the organization whom you can contact later. Note specific employer information sessions, on-campus interviewing and projected hiring dates that will affect you. You will not be able to take advantage of this information if you don't record it.
- Ask the representative for his/her card, and then promptly send a thank-you note. Having the business card of the representative you have just spoken with serves three purposes. First, you have a direct contact with the organization, including the proper spelling of the representative's name, direct telephone line, etc. Second, a brief thank-you note acknowledges the help they gave you and the time they took to visit campus. Third, sending thank-you notes is a good professional habit.
- Be courteous! In addition to representing yourself, you also represent your department and the University. All of the organizations at the fair are there because of their interest in hiring Berkeley students. Some representatives are Cal alumni. Demonstrate sensitivity to other students waiting to speak with employers by keeping your questions brief and offering to continue your conversation at a later time. Enjoy the fair and your interaction with the employers. Let your positive attitude show!
Last advice
"Just have fun. This is what I always tell myself: even if I get no interviews from this, at least I have about ten stress balls and twenty pens!"
Tracy Wang 2nd year EECS
