How first years can thrive at career fairs

Are you a first-year looking to go to a career fair but feeling unsure about how you can best succeed in that environment? It is common to feel unsure or even overwhelmed heading into your first career fair. Many students feel this way; it is a normal experience for first-time career fair attendees. 

 This article will help you get your bearings and better understand how to prepare. All the ideas in this article are drawn from a student-led panel of upperclassmen from Fall 2024, held ahead of the Fall Career Fair. The advice comes from students who have experienced career fairs themselves. 

Career exploration 

At its core, a career fair is an opportunity to explore the types of careers that exist and learn which companies might allow you to pursue those paths. It is completely okay if you are not yet looking for an internship or job; for many first-year students, the goal is simply to learn and get exposure. This can feel quite different from how some students approach career fairs, where the experience can feel more like a test between you and the recruiters. 

There is an element of evaluation happening, but it is not a one-way street. Recruiters may be evaluating you as a potential candidate, and you are also evaluating a few important things. 

First, you can evaluate the kind of work a company does and decide whether that work is of interest to you. This is a valuable opportunity to learn more about the types of jobs that could be a good fit in the future. Reflect on the technical skills and expertise needed for the role and other aspects that might sound appealing, such as collaborating with others to accomplish shared goals. 

Second, think about the company itself. Are there elements that sound appealing or concerning? Consider factors like the company’s location or what day-to-day work might look like. Are you able to learn about workplace culture or employee policies that stand out to you? Even if you do not pursue opportunities with this organization, taking note of these elements can be helpful for future decision making. Learning what does and does not appeal to you is still a successful outcome of attending a career fair, even if no immediate applications or offers result. 

Do some light research 

One helpful step before attending a career fair is to research which companies and organizations will be in attendance, keeping in mind that this research does not need to take much time. You can usually find a list of participating employers on the event’s webpage. From there, try selecting at least five companies that seem interesting to you. 

Spend a bit of time learning about those organizations and reflecting on what stands out, as well as what you would like to learn more about during the fair. You do not need to know everything about a company but having a basic understanding of the work they do and any prominent projects can go a long way. 

This preparation can help you feel more confident during conversations and signal to recruiters that you took the time to learn about their organization. 

Practicing skills 

Beyond exploration, career fairs are also a great space to practice important career skills. 

Most notably, they provide multiple opportunities to practice your elevator pitch (click here for more information on what an elevator pitch is and how to prepare one). These practice runs can serve as building blocks for how you talk about yourself in many different contexts, not just with employers. 

For example, the same skills can be useful when applying to do research in a lab or when networking and meeting new people around campus or at a conference. Each interaction helps you refine how you present your strengths and adapt your message to different audiences. Try to think of these conversations as low-stakes opportunities to experiment with phrasing and notice what resonates. 

And remember that recruiters are ready to hear pitches of all levels of preparedness! A pitch that you find awkward is just a normal part of the day for a recruiter, so don’t stress it too much. 

Flexible elevator pitch 

When it comes to elevator pitches, it can be helpful not to think of them as a script you must deliver the same way every time. Instead, think of your pitch as a flexible starting point that can change depending on who you are speaking with. 

This mindset allows you to be more responsive during conversations rather than feeling locked into a version of your pitch that may not fit every interaction. One useful strategy is to identify a few experiences or classes you might draw from and then choose which ones to highlight based on the flow of the conversation. 

Let questions do the heavy lifting 

After sharing your elevator pitch, it is common to wonder what to say next. For many students, this moment can feel awkward. 

A reliable next step is to ask the recruiter a question. You might ask about internship opportunities for first-year students or what typical day-to-day responsibilities look like. 

You can also take a more exploratory approach by asking questions that help you learn about the company or industry more broadly. Examples include questions like, “What kinds of projects or initiatives is the team most excited about right now?” or “What skills or qualities tend to help someone thrive in your organization?” 

These types of questions help you gather information that can inform your future decisions and keep the conversation moving naturally.  

Even better, you can just reuse questions (or think of similar ones) to use with the different employers present. There is no need to reinvent the wheel for every booth; keep it easy on yourself! 

Professional but comfortable 

An often overlooked but frequently mentioned tip is to dress comfortably. Career fair days can be long, and you may find yourself on your feet and talking with many employers in a short period of time. Wearing shoes and clothing that support this can make a big difference. 

At the same time, aim to strike a balance between looking professional and feeling like yourself. If you do not typically wear a suit or dress, you do not need to force yourself into one for this occasion. A helpful rule of thumb is to follow business casual guidelines, which offer flexibility while still presenting a professional appearance (click here for a business casual guide). 

Reflection 

Once the career fair is over, there is still one final step: reflection. While it can be tempting to move on quickly from a career fair, especially if it felt stressful, taking time to reflect can help you learn from the experience and feel more prepared for future events. 

For example, think about how your elevator pitch landed in conversations. Were there parts that felt unclear or needed more explanation? Did you find yourself providing too much background information at certain points? 

You can also reflect on your overall approach to the fair. Were there elements of your preparation that were particularly useful? Did you choose the right number of companies to speak with? These are just a few prompts to get you started. The most important part of reflection is approaching the experience with curiosity and using it as a learning opportunity. Growth will come over time in this area, and these practice opportunities go a long way to make it happen. 

Closing thoughts 

Career fairs can be a little intimidating, especially if it’s your first one. Feeling uncomfortable is totally normal, and it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. The main goal isn’t to have everything figured out; it’s really about showing up, trying things, and learning as you go. 

For first-year students, success might just mean having a few conversations, asking some questions, and leaving with a better idea of what interests you. Those small steps matter and will make future career fairs feel easier. 

Think of each fair as just one part of a bigger process. Confidence and clarity come with practice and reflection over time, not from getting it perfect the first time. 

If you need help on the day of the career fair, stop by the CAPD booth and ask for advice! We’re happy to help. If you want assistance leading up to the career fair, consider connecting with CAPD to talk about finding companies to speak to, or honing your elevator pitch.