Career Fair Tips
Fall 2024
Engineering Career Fair
In-Person: September 11 & 12, 2024 from 1-6 p.m. at State Farm Center
Virtual: September 25th, 2024, 11 AM-3 PM
Download the App to Prepare for the Fair
The Engineering Career Fair will be utilizing Career Fair Plus for the Illinois Spring 2024 Grainger Engineering Career Fair. Download the app to access the complete list of employers in attendance, see an interactive floor plan, review career fair tips, receive real-time updates, and drop your resume to employers of your choice!
Top 5 Career Fair Tips
- Review the Employer List & Pick Your Top 10
- Prioritize your time at the career fair by creating a list of employers you want to visit first.
- Research, Research, Research!
- Download Handshake APP
- Visit the employer's website to learn about their services, locations, and leaders.
- Visit Handshake to look for employers' open positions & find out what skills they are seeking.
- Visit the employers' social media channels to find out about recent updates and events.
- Know Your Strengths and Prove Them With Your Experiences
Use your elevator pitch to summarize your top three strengths (a mix of technical and interpersonal skills) and share a couple of experiences (including class projects, projects, and non-engineering jobs) as examples of those strengths. - Ask About the Interview Timeline
Ask the recruiter when they plan to contact students for interviews following the career fair. Knowing the employer's timeline will help you determine when it is time to follow up or when it is time to move on. - Save Recruiters' Contact Info and Keep in Touch
Remember to write down the names of the recruiters you meet. You can then connect with and follow them on LinkedIn. You can also reach out to them next semester if you are still interested and available. Watch ECS' short video on how to make following up less awkward.
Helpful Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I go to the fair?
There are many benefits for attending a career fair:
- Connect with employers if you are seeking professional experience; either a full-time or internship position
- Explore different career options if you are unsure
- Improve your networking and communication skills while connecting with employers that interest you
How many resumes should I bring to the fair?
More than the amount of employers that you hope to talk to. It's always great to have extras!
What should I wear to the fair?
Business professional is recommended, but you do not have to wear a suit if you do not have one. You can wear a button-down, polo, or other professional top with bottoms that are nicer than jeans.
Where can I find the map and/or list of employers?
Download the Career Fair Plus App