The Illinois Part-Time Job Fair is open to students on campus seeking opportunities to make some extra money and build their career competencies while completing their academics. Opportunities at this fair will be paid part-time positions on campus or in the Champaign-Urbana community.
This is an informal fair. Casual attire is acceptable.
Preparing for a Career Fair
- Review the list of organizations and research those that interest you. The list of participating companies can be found in Handshake.
- Update your resume and have it reviewed.
- Practice your elevator pitch.
- Gather items to take to the Career Fair - such as portfolio with notepad and pen; copies of your resume (more than the numbers of companies you plan to visit); and research notes on the companies.
- Prepare questions to ask employers.
Approaching Employers at a Career Fair
Most interactions will be brief, often 3-4 minutes. If no one else is in line, you could have a longer conversation.
- Greet the employer.
- If there is a line, pay attention to conversations of those ahead of you.
- Establish eye contact, smile, shake hands, and introduce yourself.
- Be confident and upbeat.
- Be ready to have a conversation about the application process.
- Relax and speak slowly.
- Articulate how your interests and qualifications are well-aligned with the organization's needs.
- Take notes about next steps and distribute your resume.
- At the end of the conversation, request a business card and/or contact information.
- Smile and thank the recruiter at the end of your conversation.
Following Up After the Fair
- Take action.
- Apply for positions of interest through Handshake, the company website, or however you were directed at the fair.
- 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.
- Include dates and application materials sent to them.