Career Fair Info for Students

Join our engineering winter career fair via Handshake!

During the past few months, our recruiting platform, Handshake, has been building their "virtual career fairs" for all participating schools. We had a successful event during the fall 2020 virtual career fair! The Handshake team has provided a smooth transition for both the student and employer experience. See details below on how to prepare for this event!

* Student registration is now open: REGISTER HERE.

When is the fair?

Thursday, February 18, 2021 from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM (EDT)

Who is participating?

Open to all students and alumni interested in engineering and tech opportunities.

NOTE: Registered employers may be creating their schedules at this time, so check back to sign up for group and/or 1:1 sessions.

Attending employers:

Preparing for the fair...

Before the Fair

Step-by-step - How to Sign up & Manage the career fair
Video: Getting the Most out of the Virtual Career Fair
Know your job interests and qualifications: practice a 30 second elevator pitch highlighting your strengths, academic preparation, and related experiences. Focus on how you can contribute to the company, NOT what the employer can do for you.
Have your resume reviewed by Thayer Career Services: there is nothing like a fresh pair of eyes to proofread it one last time! Make an appointment.
Know who is attending: peruse the employer directory on Handshake; make a list of companies you want to meet with beforehand.
Research companies in advance: visit company websites that pique your interest; read their featured articles; show their representatives that you have prepared ahead of time.
Prepare questions:
What specific skills/qualifications does your organization look for in its candidates?
Where does your company have branches or offices?
What's the company culture like?
How does your organization train its new employees?
What are typical entry-level (or internship) positions?

Day of the Fair

Dress appropriately: Wear professional, business casual attire. Long-sleeved, buttoned, solid shirt are safe for both men and women. Avoid tight or baggy clothing.
Ask questions, and speak clearly and concisely: Refer to the questions you prepared in advance and never underestimate the power of eye contact.
Network: Use the career fair to make connections with employers, alumni, and fellow students.
Say: Thank you: Thank the representatives for their time, and let them know that you will be in touch.

After the Fair

Follow-up with employers within 48 hours, email a thank you note to the recruiters you met with.
(Note: Did you engage with more than one employer? Send each a personalized message and state your interest in the company. Add something specific that you talked about, and use this opportunity to ask additional questions).