Career Fairs
Career fairs are a valuable opportunity to connect directly with employers to explore career fields, find job or internship openings, and learn what skills employers are seeking for their roles. While immediate job offers are unlikely, you'll gain insight into where and how to apply, who to contact, and how a strong in-person impression can help your application stand out.
CLA Career Services collaborates with campus partners to offer multiple career fairs tailored to a wide range of career fields.
- Business & Tech Career Fair - offered in September
- Government & Nonprofit Career Fair - offered in October
- University of Minnesota Job & Internship Fair - offered in February
- Art & Art History Career Fair - offered in March
Additionally, CLA students are welcome to attend numerous other career fairs organized by colleges across the university. There are career fairs for students interested in health, education, the environment, and more. You can see a full list of career fairs on the career fair calendar.
The most accurate information concerning dates, participating employers, and other specifics is available within Handshake. Select the events menu and then click on career fairs at your school.
Many employers expect you to bring printed copies of your resume when you approach them at career fairs. Plan ahead to print enough copies to give to employers. We recommend 5-10 copies, or as many as the number of employers you’re planning to talk to. Some employers will not accept printed resumes and direct you to Handshake or their website. It’s ok to ask them their preference!
Make sure you take advantage of the resources available to create a tailored resume that helps you stand out from other applicants.
- Resume resources
- Drop-in schedule for resume reviews
It’s important to know a few things about the organizations you plan to meet at the career fair. Having a basic understanding of things such as the size of the organization, general history, mission, culture, products, target markets, and competitors will make it easier for you to talk to and impress representatives. Employer representatives consistently tell us that they are most impressed by the students who have done their research prior to the career fair. Learn more about how to research an employer.
Make sure you visit the career fair details page in Handshake to see a list of participating employers to get started.
Use the research you conducted to prepare thoughtful questions to ask employers.
Examples:
- What are the most important qualities, characteristics, or skills you look for in employees?
- What brought you to work at this company?
- I’m a first-year student; do you have any recommendations of what kinds of experiences I can seek out now to prepare for an internship with your organization or within your industry?
- I see that you are a UMN alum, how did your major/degree help you prepare for your career?
- How does your organization support its employees?
- What do you enjoy most about working at your organization?
- Can you describe your organization’s culture? How does your organization build community amongst its employees?
- What are three words you would use to describe your organization?
- What are your organization’s values and how do you see these in practice? OR I saw on your website that your organization really values (fill in the blank), can you share an example of how you have seen this value in action recently at your organization?
- I saw your organization was just recognized for (fill in the blank), what are some of the things you would say contributed to your organization’s success in this area?
- I’m really interested in learning more about the career paths of some of the people that work in your organization. How could I pursue an informational interview?
- May I follow up with you after the fair? If so, how do you prefer to be contacted?
Consider how you want to introduce yourself. Keep in mind that employers want to get to know YOU, so don’t be afraid to show your personality, express your interest, and engage in conversation.
Some of the things you may want to include in your introduction are:
- Name, pronouns if comfortable sharing
- Year in college (first-year, junior, etc.)
- Major and career field interests
- Opportunities you seek
- A brief summary of your skills and/or relevant experience
- Knowledge of the organization/company
- End with a question to get the conversation started
We encourage you to dress in a way that is authentic to you, comfortable, and showcases how you would like to be viewed in a professional setting. The video below is a good place to start if you are unsure about what to wear to the fair. See some examples of how to dress for a career fair.
Try to avoid bringing bulky personal items (like backpacks or laptops) if possible; a free coat check is often available for belongings. Some stadium venues have strict bag rules requiring participants to leave their bag at coat check before entry. Please note that CLA Career Services is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Here’s what we recommend bringing to a career fair:
- UMN Student ID (UCard) for check-in
- Something to write with for notes
- Notebook/padfolio
- 5-10 printed copies of your resume
- Questions to ask employers
- An open mind!
- Practice your introduction: Don't memorize, but rehearse a few variations of your introduction out loud. This will help you feel more natural and confident when speaking to employers.
- Create a plan: Know which organizations you want to visit, but remain open to engaging with companies you haven't researched.
- Engage independently: It's fine to arrive with friends, but make sure to speak with employers one-on-one.
- Manage nervousness: If you feel nervous, start by approaching an organization you aren't highly invested in to build your confidence.
- Take breaks: Step away if you need a moment to recharge.
- Take thorough notes: Record the recruiter's name, discussion topics, specific follow-up actions you plan to take, application deadlines, and any specific questions you need to ask later.
We recognize that international students who will require U.S. work sponsorship face unique challenges domestic students often do not. To help, we've compiled specific resources for international students attending career fairs.
- Consider attending a prep event offered by ISSS and Career Services. Check Handshake for information about any upcoming events.
- As with any student attending a career fair, we recommend getting your resume reviewed and practicing introducing yourself with CLA Career Services. You can attend drop-in hours, or schedule an appointment.
- Review information about preparing for a job search in the U.S. as an international student. Please note if you have specific questions about CPT, OPT, or H-1B visas, you should contact the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office on campus.
- Trust yourself, your experiences, and your skills. Take time to reflect and practice sharing what you can offer employers, and know that you are bringing knowledge from your academic, work, and personal experiences.
There may be employers who know very little about hiring international employees. We have prepared some examples of how to answer common questions below.
"Do you need sponsorship?" or "Do you need work authorization?"
- "My education visa covers me for internships. I don't need any authorization or sponsorship from an employer."
- "My education visa covers me for (X) months during which time I do not need authorization or sponsorship from my employer. After that, I would need my employer to file for a work visa, but I expect by that time to have really demonstrated my value and my fit for your company."
- "I would not require sponsorship or any additional paperwork or expense to work for you as an intern. If, as I hope happens, I do such a great job that you want to keep me on full-time, then I would ultimately need sponsorship."
Attending a career fair is a significant accomplishment that requires time and energy; take a moment to be proud of this accomplishment! To maximize the value of the event and improve your chances of securing a job or internship, it is essential to follow up with a few key post-fair tasks. Taking time for this reflection and action will ensure your effort was worthwhile.
Within 24-48 hours of the career fair, prioritize these actions:
- Review and Plan: Organize your notes from the fair and create a list of specific follow-up tasks.
- Send Thank You Notes: Email or message the employers you spoke with (LinkedIn is an acceptable platform). Your thank-you note should be sent 24-48 hours after the fair and should reference specific details from your conversation while restating your interest and qualifications.
- Expand Your Network: Connect with the representatives you met on LinkedIn, the Maroon & Gold Network, or via the communication method they indicated they prefer.
- Apply for Jobs: Submit applications for any relevant open positions you discovered. Use the insights you gained at the fair to tailor your resume and cover letters to make your application stand out.
- Pursue Informational Interviews: To deepen connections and explore opportunities further, consider reaching out to schedule informational interviews.