Entry by Pat Patterson
Students
After a career fair (From the 2010 September INTERNnetwork):
- Jot down your notes and organize the information you collected (including contact information – it is a good idea to note where you met certain individuals and what you talked about),
- write thank you notes to those you met,
- apply for positions you are interested in, and
- follow up with employers about applications you submitted.
Remember, making a positive impression with people greatly influences your internship and career search. When recruiters sift through resumes and decide who they plan to interview, you are more likely to stand out if the recruiters remember who you are and the interest you showed in their particular organization.
Employers
After the Career Fair (From the National Association of Colleges and Employers NACE)
Post-fair activities do help with your recruiting efforts. Here are some ideas:
- Host a networking reception to immediately following the career fair.
- Pair your information sessions with the career fair, either the day before or the day after.
- Directly link on-campus interviewing with fairs and information sessions to develop a strong campus presence.
- Follow up! Just as we want applicants to follow up with us, many students would like employers to follow up with them. If at all possible, let the student know of his or her application status. Keep tabs on strong rising candidates. Let applicants know when you are back on campus and that you hope to see them at the fair. If they aren’t viable candidates for you, let them know. Help them become stronger candidates in general by offering real-world feedback. They will listen.
