• Multiple copies of your resume on professional resume paper
• A notepad and pen to use for jotting down notes
• A portfolio to neatly hold your resumes and other materials
• Confidence

Are there things I should NOT do or bring to the career fair?

Do not:

• Chew gum.
• Approach a booth while talking or texting on your cell phone. Phones should be turned off (not to vibrate) and stowed away during the event.
• Listen to your ipod or other similar device.
• Bring refreshments or beverages with you. You want to have both hands free to distribute resumes and shake hands. Plus, you want to make a good first impression so minimize the risk for spills/slops.

What should I wear to the career fair?

Business professional attire is recommended for this event. Suits are always appropriate. Business casual is okay too. Keep in mind, however, “business casual” doesn’t mean “classroom casual.” Organizations say first impressions count, so give some thought to what you wear.

What do I do during the career fair?

Greet employers with a firm handshake, and maintain eye contact throughout your conversation. Use your prepared entry statement. Let them know how serious you are.  Don’t just drop off a resume and move to the next booth. Take time to get additional information and make an impression. The point is not to see how many resumes you can give to employers in the least amount of time – it is a chance to network with employers.

Use your research to appear confident and knowledgeable. If you have done research before the career fair, you won’t have to ask the question, “What does your company do?” Instead, you could be asking questions about the position or department you are interested in. It works to your advantage if you can tell employers how your skills match what they are looking for. Employers want to hire people who are genuinely interested in their company.

Collect business cards for follow-up. It is always a good idea to collect the business card of the individual you spoke with at each table. This will allow you to follow up with a personal message or to contact that individual in the future.

It’s all business… isn’t there anything else?

Career fairs tend to be pretty corporate, but you will also see non-profit, healthcare and government organizations. Also, corporate organizations can offer a variety of opportunities—some that may fit your interests! So take a tip from recruiters: “Explore options you may not have considered… you never know what you might find.”
If you don’t find what you’re looking for at the fair, come chat with us! Career Services offers a variety of resources to help you map out a job search plan based on your specific interests and skills.

Still have questions?

Drop in during walk-in hours or make an appointment with an advisor by contacting 616-331-3311 or careers@gvsu.edu.

These on-campus workshops provide valuable information on how to make the most of your career fair experience, including tips on what to expect, what to bring, what to wear, who to visit, and essential follow up.

Schedule

Research Employers

View the listing of companies and organizations that will be attending and do some research to determine those that have positions that you are interested in or that you would really like to work for. Make a short list of employers to be sure to visit during the career fair and develop questions you’d like to ask of the company representatives. By demonstrating proven knowledge of their business and practices, you’ll make yourself stand out amongst the crowd!

View Participating Employers

Perfect your resume

Having a great resume is essential at a career fair. The resume gives employers a blueprint of your skills and something tangible to remember you by. Schedule an appointment for a resume review with a Career Center advisor by calling 616-331-3311 or attend one of the following resume workshops:

Resume Workshop Schedule

Prepare an entry statement

Having a polished 30-second speech to introduce yourself and your skills to the employer will help you to initiate conversation. In your introduction, you should include your name, major, year in school, career goals, and why you’re interested in the particular company or organization.

Additional Resources

Videos

Other Resources

• Career Center Resume and Cover Letter Guide – This is the official Career Center guide to writing resumes and cover letters.  This guide includes tips on how to create effective resumes and cover letters as well as samples to help get you started.

• Job Choices Magazine
  • Resume samples and tips
  • Veteran’s guide to developing a resume
  • Job-search letters

Attend the Career Fair to:

• meet face-to-face with employers to discuss full-time positions.
• learn about available internships and co-ops.
• connect with organizations conducting on-campus interviews.
• build your professional network and research employers.

Accommodations

Area hotels

Parking vouchers will be provided at check-in for each paid and registered attendee  and can be used upon exiting the parking structure. Recommended parking is in the DeVos Place Ramp located underneath the DeVos Place Convention Center (H on map). Overflow parking is also available in the Government Center Ramp (J on map).

Unloading

Student ambassadors will be available on the west end of the DeVos Place Ramp to assist with unloading and transporting display materials.  Parking in rows D, E, or F is recommended for quick access to elevators (indicated by purple arrow on underground parking map). Ambassadors are NOT available in the Government Center Ramp.

*Registration fee includes one 6′ table space (with table covering), parking (vouchers for paid and registered attendees only), and lunch for two recruiters.  See schedule for additional fee for amenities such as electrical, wireless access, additional recruiters, and additional tables.