BEFORE:
Learn how to make yourself stand out among the crowd at the upcoming Career Fair using the Career Fair Prep Workshops (On Starr Search). Learn how to prepare, make a good impression, and follow up after the fair.
Have Your resume reviewed by the Starr Career Development Center
Use our resume and cover letter guide to update your resume for the fair. Be ready to share a copy of your document over zoom while meeting with a career advisor to do a resume review.
*These 15-minute sessions are on a first-come, first-served basis!
Conduct research on companies to determine their best fit and to gain background knowledge. Creating informed questions to ask recruiters will help you stand out. Be sure to have specific questions for companies and avoid asking questions you can find on the company’s website. Things to consider:
- Learn more about companies via the Baruch Library site
- Check out job postings on companies’ career website
- Learn more about companies’ latest news and development on social media
- Read their profile on Vault (access through Starr Search) or industry journals
Prepare for your business attire
Business formal attire is highly recommended for attending the fairs – Whether it is an in-person or a virtual fair – Remember, a part of representing your best self is how you look, so dress for the job that you want.
Practice your introduction
Prepare and practice a 30 second introduction or personal pitch highlighting your background, career objective, experiences, and strengths. Practice your personal pitch beforehand!
DAY OF THE EVENT:
- Have your Baruch ID card, you will need your EMPLID number during registration
- Dress code: Formal Business Attire (suits and ties)
- For in-person fair: Wear comfortable dress shoes (No Sneakers)
- Have your resume handy for the fair
- For in-person fair: No coat check available at the event so travel light
- If you did not RSVP for the event in Starr Search, you can still come to the event
- If you need any accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services and email us at careerdc@baruch.cuny.edu at least one week in advance of the event.
- Follow the conversation online using #BaruchCareerFair
Approach employers at the fair
For an in-person fair, if in a line, pay attention to conversations of those ahead of you.
- Establish eye contact, shake hands, and introduce yourself
- Be confident and upbeat
- Smile and thank the recruiter at the end of your conversation
- Most interactions will be brief, often 3-4 minutes. However, if no one else is in line you could have a longer conversation
Be ready to have a conversation about your interest in the company.
- Ask about job/internship opportunities, the application process, qualifications, and potential career paths
- Relax and speak slowly
- Articulate how your interests and qualifications are well-aligned with the organization’s needs
- Take notes about the next steps and distribute your resume
At the end of the conversation, request a business card and/or contact information
AFTER THE EVENT:
Take action and follow up!
- Apply for positions of interest through Starr Search, the company website, or however you were directed at the fair
- You can also send a quick thank you email (within 24 hours) to contacts you met at the fair. Refer back to something from your conversation and attach your resume. Reiterate your interest in the company and the positions they have available
- Keep a file of all contacts made with the employer, including dates and application materials sent to them
Please remember to apply to those companies who will be returning to Baruch for on-campus interviews (OCR) through Starr Search; to do so you must have attended one of the OCR workshops/webinars.