By Kathryn Nickell
UNIVERSITY CENTER – Great Lakes Bay Part-Time and Internship Job Fair is coming to Delta’s main campus on Tuesday, April 18 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Pioneer Gym. This job fair will showcase employers from across the tri-city area that are hiring part-time, seasonal and internship positions. The event is free and open to everyone.
What makes college career fairs so valuable?
College career fairs are designed to give students the opportunity to explore career opportunities, meet prospective employees, and practice professional behavior.
They are one of the few places where recruiters and students can meet and interact in person before a full formal interview. Writing a resume, preparing for interviews, and engaging in small talk with employers are new skills for most students and the atmosphere offered at career fairs creates a foundation for successful interactions.
How should you prepare before, during, and after your career fair?
Before the career fair
- Do your research – check which employers are attending Delta’s job fair at Pioneer Job Board to research the companies and which roles match your career interests.
- Prepare some questions – asking good questions is a great way to start a conversation and shows that you’re prepared and motivated.
- Practice introducing yourself – you don’t need a perfect speech, but you should sound confident when starting a conversation with employers.
- Pick your outfit – business casual is your best bet. You don’t need a suit, but also skip the sweats and ripped jeans. If you need help with an outfit, visit Delta’s Closet in D134, next to Counseling and Advising.
Day of the career fair
- Come prepared – bring several copies of your resume to the employers you plan to meet. Don’t have a resume yet? Use Delta’s resume template guide to help develop a professional resume for the event.
- Take notes – before ending each conversation, be sure to collect business cards from people you speak with and take good notes, so you know how to best personalize a follow-up.
- Make a good impression – show up on time, offer a handshake and make eye contact. If you are new to interviewing or want to brush up your skills, use Delta’s Big Interview tool to train and practice your interview technique while building confidence.
- Explore your options – talk with as many recruiters as you can who might be interested in your major, experience, skills or accomplishments. And keep an open mind!
After the event
- Follow up – within 24 to 48 hours of the career fair, send a thank you email to each employer you met with if you’re interested in the company.
- Take action – for the companies you are interested in, follow the recruiter’s instructions about applying for the position.
