Alumni Advice: Career Fair Preparation
The Fall 2025 Career Fair is just around the corner, on September 19th! We took this opportunity to ask alumni on St. Thomas Connect, “What advice do you have for Tommies preparing for career fairs?” Check out their top tips below!
Visit our Everything Career Fair page to view upcoming prep events and get even more resources to prepare for the fair!
Prepare with Purpose
My recommendation is to review the list of attending companies and identify those that align with your interests. Learn a bit more about their mission, recent news, open roles. Identify 3-4 questions that you would ask that would create a memorable dialogue with you and that recruiter…Most importantly, just be yourself. Lastly, you will be amazed at how fast the event goes. Rank your companies and determine who you want to meet with first.
Chris Leising
Meaningful Connections
…[T]ime is your biggest enemy, so plan accordingly. If you are able to obtain a list of companies, then divide the companies into priorities of who are “must connects”, “good connects” and “time allowing to connect”. If you cannot obtain a list of names, then see if you can find out ahead of time the business lines that will be present. If all else fails and you cannot learn ahead of time who is there, take a few minutes to circulate, strategize and follow your plan. It is far better to make a few, deep meaningful connections than wide-spread, thin surfaced connections.
John Abel
Interactions with Employers
When interacting with company representatives, be memorable. They will see a hundred people. What makes you stand out? What makes them remember you? Look them in the eye.
- A firm handshake
- A sharp 20 second introduction
- A unique tie, scarf or shoes
After the session, the company representatives will retreat and review candidates. If you say or wear something memorable, it helps! I have worked job fairs, one of the hardest parts is recalling who was whom – help them!
— Tom Fischer
The Employers Take
Take a moment to also hear from the other side!
Beyond the Fair
The St. Thomas fall career fair is just [a week] away, and preparation is key. Take notes after each conversation, and be sure to follow up with a thank-you email and LinkedIn connection within 48 hours. Remember, a career fair is as much about building relationships as finding immediate opportunities.
Allan Hansen
Seeking More?!
Watch this comprehensive prep video. Rahul Sabnis shares tips from start to finish on having a successful experience at a career fair.
