Career fair tips: prepare a short list, a short pitch and a fast follow-up.
Recruiters at a career fair meet many people in a few hours. The candidates they remember did their homework, kept it short, and followed up quickly.
Before a career fair, choose a short list of employers, research their roles, and prepare a 30-second introduction with your name, major or field, what you're looking for and one relevant strength. Bring printed resumes, dress one step above the employer's everyday style, ask each recruiter a specific question, note their names, and send a follow-up within a day or two.
How to work a career fair
Research first
Check the attending employers list. Pick five to ten, note one role and one fact about each.
Your introduction
Name, field, what you want and one strength, in about 30 seconds. See elevator pitch examples.
What to bring
Printed resumes, a pen and notebook, and a way to note each recruiter's name and next step.
At the booth
Ask about the team, the role or the hiring process. Avoid asking what the company does; that's what research is for.
Fair day plan
- Visit a lower-priority employer first to warm up.
- Visit your top employers next, while you're fresh.
- Note names and next steps after each conversation.
- Apply online where recruiters tell you to.
- Send follow-ups within a day or two.
2 copy-ready templates
Illustrative: names, companies, dates and numbers in these templates and examples are fictional. Replace every bracket with your own true details before you use anything.
30-second introduction
When to use: At the booth, after a handshake or greeting.
Hi, I'm [Name], a [year] [major] student / [field] professional. I'm looking for [type of role], and I'm particularly interested in [team or program] at [Company] because [reason]. Recently I [relevant result]. What do you look for in candidates for that role?
Follow-up email
When to use: Within one or two days.
Subject: Great meeting you at [Fair name] Hi [Name], Thank you for speaking with me at [Fair name] on [day]. I enjoyed hearing about [specific detail]. As you suggested, I've applied for [Role] ([Job ID]). I've attached my resume and I'd be glad to answer any questions. Best regards, [Your name] · [Phone] · [LinkedIn]
Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Everything on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Before, during, after
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| A week before | Research employers; update your resume. |
| Day before | Practise your introduction; print resumes. |
| At the fair | Top employers early; take notes. |
| Within two days | Follow up and apply. |
The same move, done two ways
Illustrative example with fictional details.
| Version | Example |
|---|---|
| Weak | At the booth: 'So, what does your company do? Are you hiring?' |
| Strong | At the booth: 'I saw your analytics rotation program. I built a sales dashboard in my internship; what do you look for in rotation applicants?' |
Why it matters: Specific questions show preparation and give the recruiter something to remember you by.
Mistakes to avoid
- Arriving without researching employers.
- Collecting freebies instead of names.
- Long, unprepared introductions.
- No follow-up.
Keep going
Questions people ask
What should I bring to a career fair?
What should I wear to a career fair?
What do you say at a career fair?
Should I follow up after a career fair?
How this page is built
Written by Maid Dizdarevic, a career coach and 8x LinkedIn Top Voice. The steps, scripts and timing guides are practical advice, labelled as advice. We do not publish response rates, success rates or shares of employers, and every example uses fictional details.
- How a specific employer, recruiter or manager will act: practices vary by company, industry and person.
- Legal advice: for contracts, background-check disputes, pay classification or a termination, talk to an employment attorney, the U.S. Department of Labor or your state agency.
- Outcomes: no message, plan or program can promise an interview, a raise or a job.
- TryHired editorial guidance by Maid Dizdarevic, career coach, Nov 4, 2026.