Before the Career Fair
Pre-Register on Handshake
Sign up early so you can:
See what companies are coming
Check out open jobs or internships
Plan who you want to talk to
Walking in with a plan = less stress
Fix Your Resume
Your resume is your first impression.
Before the fair:
Update your resume
Have Career Services review it
Print multiple copies (not just one!)
Keep it neat in a folder
Research a Few Companies
You don’t need to research every single employer, just a few you’re interested in.
Know:
What they do
What positions do they offer
Why you might be interested
It makes conversations way smoother.
Dress the Part
Dress professionally. It doesn’t have to be super fancy, just clean, polished, and put together.
If you need help with professional clothes, check out the Career Closet.
Start the Conversation
Smile. Introduce yourself. Use your elevator pitch.
Remember: recruiters are normal people. They’re not there to judge you; they’re there to meet students.
Ask Good Questions
Here are some easy ones you can use:
What skills do you look for in new employees?
Based on my major, where could I fit in with your company?
What is the company culture like?
Are there opportunities for growth or training?
What made you choose this company?
Asking questions shows you care.
After the Career Fair:
Don’t stop once you leave.
Follow Up
Send a short thank-you email within 1–2 days
“Hi ___, I enjoyed speaking with you at the SAU Career Fair about internship opportunities. Thank you for your time. I look forward to staying connected.”
Final Advice
You don’t have to be perfect.
You don’t have to know your entire life plan.
You just have to:
Show up
Be prepared
Be confident
Follow up
Career fairs aren’t scary once you realize they’re just conversations about opportunities.
Jaqoune Brown
Jaqoune is a junior at SAU, majoring in Social Work with a minor in Psychology. He is from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he learned the importance of community, compassion, and hard work. Those values inspired him to pursue a career helping others and making a difference in people’s lives. He is passionate about supporting youth and those who may not always have a voice, and he hopes to use his education to give back to his community and create positive change.
