image from jscoopmedia.com / Alyssa Wells

Success Story Every spring, the Medill Career Fair at Northwestern University connects about 300 students to a large variety of media companies in a short amount of time. Mirielle Cailles, a 2009 graduate from Northwestern, worked part-time with the school’s career services team for three years, and attended the very career fairs she helped set up. This fall, Cailles starts a full time position with a Chicago advertising agency – a job she landed after interviewing with a recruiter she impressed during her most recent Medill fair. “As a participant and a worker, I learned to never underestimate the power of networking. People really do remember if you make an impression,” she says.

First impressions, stacks of resumes, crowded tables, and countless employers looking for the perfect candidate. Indeed, for many students, the college career fair represents a daunting whirlwind of nerves and uncertainty. But if done right, the fair offers plenty of opportunities to leave a lasting impression on recruiters and potential employers.

Read
The career fair takes on a fairly informal structure, within which students choose which tables and recruiters to visit. In most cases, room maps and informational texts about each employer are available well before the event actually starts. Prior to heading over, use these employer bios to determine which tables you’d like to try, and take a look at the relevant job requirements in advance.

Plan
Jim O’Brien, the director of Medill Career Services at Northwestern University, was once a college recruiter himself. Having reflected on his experiences, he considers preparation a key to getting noticed.

After reading about each employer and position, students should think of ways to “sell recruiters on the mix of their skills and the job’s requirements.” Then, ask the recruiter questions stemming from your research in order to demonstrate the work you put into your brief meeting.

Rehearse
Because time with recruiters is limited during the career fair, students should try to rehearse an introduction that summarizes their pertinent experiences and interests in the field. Practice in front of a mirror or with a friend, and try to keep your opening under 20 seconds long.

Impress
Joe Grimm recruited for the Detroit Free Press from 1990 to 2008, over which time he attended at least 250 job fairs. When talking to students, Grimm says he’s keenly interested in detecting traits like intelligence, hard work, curiosity and honesty. Since skills and achievements may be read on a student’s resume after the fair, general impressions come at a premium. Therefore, Medill’s Jim O’Brien also reminds his students that maintaining a strong handshake and professional dress is crucial to a successful career fair experience.

Evoke
According to Grimm, employers are always searching for an attribute that cannot be qualified on a resume or cover letter – a true passion and love for journalism.
“Job-seekers should find a way to tell newsroom managers about the fire that burns inside,” Grimm said. “Somehow you’ve got to communicate that you’re looking for more than a job.”

Contact
Although demanding, the opportunity to snag a job or internship through a connection made at the career fair is very real. Following up confidently and with seamless tie-ins to your conversation can increase the chances of making that leap.

“It might be unlikely to come out with a job in hand, but if you do it right you’ll come out with a foot in the door,” says Mirielle Cailles, a 2009 Northwestern graduate who found career fair success (sidebar). It’s up to the student to make a great impression and follow up assertively.”
Following up with recruiters within a week is usually a good idea.   (Editor: Alex Horowitz)