“Manners Matter” A Quick Guide to Career Fair Etiquette and Preparation

Career Fairs Are Your Opportunity to: Network Bring life to your résumé Sell yourself to a potential employer Use your 30-second commercial Ask specific questions about a company or position

Career Fairs Are Not: A place to socialize A time to increase your collection of business cards Just putting on a suit Arbitrarily handing out résumés Finding out “Who’s Hiring?” Your only job source

Prepare for the Fair Check the CMC website for the list of participants Research the companies with whom you plan to talk Practice your 30-second commercial — in front of a mirror, with a friend, or with CMC staff Be well-rested and alert Look professional: Avoid loud clothes, wild hair styles, heavy make-up, noisy jewelry

Don’t Leave Home Without It! Résumés - Clean and crisp - Conservative font and paper - Business card to attach to each résumé Portfolio or clean writing tablet A quality, professional-looking pen A confident attitude and pleasant disposition A winning smile

Your 30-Second Commercial Practice your 30-second commercial in advance State your name clearly and loudly as you introduce yourself (to account for the noise level) Use a firm handshake to demonstrate confidence Leverage your 30-second commercial to showcase your strengths Try to use the company name in your introduction or first question

Employers Will Be Watching Your… Dress and attire Body language Demeanor and attitude Ability to articulate your goals and ask/answer questions Interactions with other students and other company representatives

Good Ways to Get Noticed Research each company you plan to visit Use the company’s name in questions you ask Ask open-ended and specific questions Look and act confident and professional Consider writing a letter or to the company representative in advance, if deemed appropriate Be courteous and helpful Introduce other students to recruiters if possible Be interested in what the company representative has to say

Bad Ways to Get Noticed Wearing less than professional business attire Arrogance Not knowing what company you are talking to Lack of knowledge about the company you are talking to Asking only “yes/no” questions No introduction or 30-second commercial Attempting to bribe the recruiter Making derogative statements

No, No, No Poor hygiene: body odor, bad breath, dirty fingernails Rambling without asking a question Interrupting a company representative or another student Joining a conversation without offering a handshake, your name and a smile Leaving a booth without learning something about the company

Yes, Yes, Yes Prepare Put your best foot forward Reinforce your interest or desire to interview with the organization Thank the company representative Write a thank you note or

Remember: Preparation is key to success You are more than just a student looking for a job You represent Thunderbird Manners Matter You are an ambassador for Thunderbird and your fellow students