How To Prepare

• Obtain a list of recruiting entities participating in the fair.
• Use the Web to research the recruiting entities from your location area of choice.
• Think carefully about your career objectives and choose the entities that most closely match your requirements.
• Plan to visit them the day of the fair.
• Develop and rehearse a one minute commercial which:

1. Introduces yourself
2. Demonstrates you know something about the entity or school
3. Conveys why you are interested in the particular entity or school
4. Tells the recruiter/interviewer the position or type of position sought
5. Briefly relates your background to what you know about the entity’s needs
6. Expresses why you are a good choice for a position

• Prepare and rehearse responses to basic questions such as “Why would you like to work for us?” or “Tell me about yourself.”
• Prepare résumé and lists of references for the recruiters of interest.
• Create a list of questions you would like answered by potential employers.
• Obtain a portfolio to house your résumés, references and materials you collect from potential employers, as well as a writing pad and pens.
• Helpful hint: Plan what you will wear. Keep yourself and your materials professional and streamlined; don’t overload yourself with too much to carry.

What to Bring

Students should bring abundant copies of their résumés. There will be over 100 recruiting entities looking to hire UT graduates. It is to the student's advantage to pass out as many résumés as possible. The more résumés that are passed out and the more recruiting entities visited, the better the chances are to engage in an interview. Avoid bringing cover letters, transcripts, or portfolios. These will be helpful at follow-up interviews.

Dressing for Success

To be perceived as a major candidate for the job, students must look the part. Outward image, attitude, confidence level, and personal appearance, all contribute to the recruiter’s overall impression of the candidate. For a career fair and interviewing advantage, dress should be professional, neat, and clean. Taking the time to present an attractive professional image at the career fair or before an interview will add to the candidate's own self-esteem and confidence. An appropriate visual image at the career fair or an interview may leave a stronger impression than what the candidate says, since memory is triggered more by pictures and impressions than words. In the end, the clothes that make sense are the ones that bring together the public and private person. Individuality and comfort can be brought together for both men and women in a good fitting, streamlined and professional suit.