Career fairs

Career fairs bring employers, recruiters or schools together to provide information to potential candidates at a single event. They are opportunities for students and job seekers to have conversations and make connections with multiple employers within a short time frame.

It is important to note that candidates do not “land jobs or internships” at a career fair, rather they “make connections.” Those connections lead to expressed interest, follow-up, and interviews. That is where the employment opportunities come from.

For many, this distinction relieves some pressure. You can simply go to a career fair to talk with some representatives, learn more about some companies, and expand your sense of what’s available to you. Career fairs also provide a low-stakes opportunity to practice having professional career-related conversations, which will help you make connections in other contexts.

Here are some tips for making the most of your career fair experiences.