The Capital Region Intern/Job Fair (CRIF) will be on Tues. Oct. 5 from 10 am – 3 pm in the Capital Union Building (CUB) here at Penn State Harrisburg. And on Thurs. Oct. 7, the ExperienceHarrisburg fair will take place in downtown Harrisburg.
These events give you a chance to meet a large group of employers individually at one time and in one place. USE THIS OPPORTUNITY!
Job fair interaction can be less formal than a regular interview. But it can be your opportunity to make a strong first impression and get invited to the office for followup and a full-fledged interview. So be prepared with multiple copies of your resume, dress well and check the website to do some preliminary research on the companies attending.
Most importantly, be prepared with a short “elevator” speech. That is, what would you tell an employer about yourself, if you were stuck in an elevator with them for a minute? Start with your name, major and year in school, but take it beyond the basics. Tell them what your career area of interest is, and what skills you already have that you can use as an intern or employee. Don’t make it only about what you can get out of it, but what you can contribute to their organization. It takes practice to say these things enthusiastically and concisely, so plan ahead what you will say. At the same time, it should flow naturally, and not sound like you are just reciting a prepared speech.
Remember: A fair can be your opportunity to ask more questions, gather literature and learn more about specific opportunities with the organizations present. Don’t limit yourself to speaking with just one or two employers whom you’ve heard of, or that you think are the most desirable. Employers may have openings in a variety of departments, even if they don’t specifically list them in the guidebook.
See our web site under the Career Fairs link for more tips and advice.