Deciding how to spend your time as a student can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to career planning. With classes, extracurriculars, and social life, is attending a career fair really a worthwhile investment? Many students question, “Are Career Fairs Worth It?”, and the answer, according to recruiters themselves, is a resounding yes. Employers actively participate in college career fairs because they are genuinely looking to connect with and hire promising students like you.
To understand the real value of career fairs, we’ve gathered insights from recruiters within Handshake’s network, who shed light on what they seek at these events and how you can make a lasting impression.
Why Employers Prioritize College Career Fairs
The recruiters we spoke with are enthusiastic about career fairs, emphasizing the unique opportunity to meet students face-to-face. Melissa Price, Sr. Manager of Talent Acquisition at Union Pacific, expresses her passion: “I love career fairs. The energy of students and their passion in talking about what they love—I look for that passion at the career fair.” This sentiment highlights a key takeaway: career fairs are not just about collecting resumes; they’re about discovering genuine enthusiasm and potential.
Janel Houston, Lead Recruiting Specialist at Deloitte, further demystifies the career fair experience, particularly for introverted students. “I’m an introvert, and never went to career fairs in college! I was too intimidated and didn’t think a recruiter would remember me. But in the end, both the employer and the student get to see beyond a resume, and beyond a website, and connect authentically.” This personal perspective reveals that career fairs are designed to be welcoming and facilitate genuine connections, moving beyond the limitations of online applications. Recruiters understand the value of personal interaction in assessing candidates, and for students wondering “are career fairs worth it” for networking, this is a crucial point.
Angelica Sanchez, Sr. Recruiter for Diversity Campus Recruiting at Capital One, underscores the importance of networking at these events. She advises students to attend to “expand their network” and engage with representatives from companies of interest. “Creating connections with recruiters will be a great way to learn more about opportunities and programs available at the company. Pro tip: recruiters also know specific deadlines that you may not be able to find on the company’s website.” This insider tip alone demonstrates the practical advantage of attending career fairs – gaining access to information not readily available elsewhere.
How to Maximize Your Impact at a Career Fair
To truly make the most of a career fair and stand out from the crowd, preparation and authenticity are key, according to recruiters.
Melissa Price advises, “To stand out, be your authentic self. For example, why did you pick mechanical engineering? Were you a ranch hand and wanted to keep working with large machinery? Or do you like to tinker on cars? Those stories lead into a career filled with passion.” Sharing your genuine motivations and experiences makes you memorable and helps recruiters see your personality beyond your academic qualifications. For students pondering “are career fairs worth it” to showcase their unique selves, the answer is definitively yes.
Janel Houston emphasizes, “What is memorable to me in my conversations at career fairs is genuineness, preparedness, and curiosity. It’s also a good idea to follow up with a thank you note—but make it personal and unique!” Being prepared with thoughtful questions and demonstrating genuine interest in the company and the recruiter’s work leaves a positive and lasting impression. Following up with a personalized thank-you note further reinforces your engagement and professionalism.
Angelica Sanchez reiterates the importance of preparation: “From a recruiter’s perspective, when the candidate has done their research on the company, and has direct specific questions about the company’s opportunities, it can make the conversation worth everyone’s time.” Showing that you’ve taken the time to learn about the company and its opportunities demonstrates your serious interest and respect for the recruiter’s time. Before attending, “do your research” on participating employers and formulate specific questions to ask. Expressing direct enthusiasm for a particular employer in your “elevator pitch” can also make you more memorable.
However, it’s equally important to avoid making negative impressions. Angelica points out that lack of engagement or simply being there for freebies reflects poorly on a student. Career fairs are professional events designed for serious career exploration.
Remember: You’re Evaluating Employers Too
Gaby Flores-Sanchez, a recruiter at Warner Bros. Discovery, offers a valuable perspective: “If you don’t show who you really are to the people you’re meeting at a career fair, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Then your imposter syndrome kicks in, you have to code-switch, and that’s not what you want on a daily basis, whether it’s an internship role or full time job. This is your chance to see how you feel when you talk to the people that work at that company.” This highlights that career fairs are a two-way street. They are not just for employers to evaluate you; they are also for you to assess if the company culture and people are a good fit for you. For students debating “are career fairs worth it” for exploring company culture, the answer is affirmative.
Post-Career Fair Follow-Up: Nurturing Connections
After the career fair, the crucial next step is to nurture the connections you’ve made. Take detailed notes about your conversations with each recruiter to personalize your follow-up. Sending a thank-you message after the event is essential for expressing your gratitude and reinforcing your interest.
Angelica Sanchez also suggests leveraging other company resources: “registering for a company’s talent network or email list, and seeing if the employer will be hosting additional campus events.” These actions demonstrate continued engagement and ensure you stay informed about future opportunities.
In conclusion, for students wondering “are career fairs worth it,” the insights from recruiters are clear: career fairs are invaluable opportunities for networking, learning about companies, and making a genuine impression. By being prepared, authentic, and proactive in your follow-up, you can significantly enhance your career prospects and confidently answer “yes” to the question of whether career fairs are worth your time.
