Career Fair Prep

Wondering how to prepare for a career fair and what to expect? We've compiled our best resources to help get you started. There are multiple ways to prepare; choose the options that work for you (self-guided modules, workshops, individual appointments, etc.). 

Six Steps to Building Career Fair Confidence

1. Visit Handshake and Register for the Fair

• Log into Handshake and update your profile
• Register for the fair (links here)

• Make sure to check to see if the fair is in-person or virtual

2. Update Your Resume

• Review the Media Library for recorded resume workshops
• Check out the Resume module (with templates)
• Attend a drop in resume review event
• Upload your resume(s) to Handshake

3. Practice Your Pitch

• Attend an upcoming networking workshop

• Networking and Personal Pitch video (recorded workshop on June 9, 2020)

• Check out the Networking module (with sample introductory sentences)

• Virtual Fairs: Test your computer audio and video

4. How to Prep for an In Person or Virtual Fair

• Prepping for an in-person fair:

  • Make sure to dress for success – most in-person fairs are either business casual or business professional (you can refer to What Can I Wear to Work in the Career Development Toolkit for examples

  • Prepare and print multiple copies of up-to-date resume to give to employers at the fair

  • Look over which employers are attending on the fair page on Handshake 

• Prepping for a virtual fair:
  • Watch Ready for a Fair? Career Fair, That is! (recorded August 30, 2022)
  • Watch Exploring your Interests at Career Fairs Workshop for First-Years (recorded February 7, 2022)
  • Check out the Virtual Fairs module for step by step guidance (sample pages below)
    • How do I get ready for the event?
    • What should I do during the fair?

5. Research Employers

• Check out the Job Search module (sample pages below)
  • What should I learn about the employer and job?
  • How do I interact with recruiters?
• Sign up in Handshake to meet with specific employers at the fair (virtual fairs only)
• Follow employers in Handshake to learn about info sessions and job/internship opportunities
• Complete the Campus Recruiting (CR) tutorial if you want to sign up for an interview through Handshake after the fair

6. Get Personalized Assistance

• Schedule an appointment with Central Career Services or your college career office
• For troubleshooting start with Handshake Help Center and reach out to career@cornell.edu if needed

After the Career Fair

Check out the Career Development Toolkit for more modules to keep building your career readiness and prepare to submit applications and practice interviewing.