Visit the company's website to get an idea of what the company does, how the company works, what the company stands for, and what positions they may have open. You can even visit the ES&P archives in SCDConline to see if students have worked with the company for co-op and how those students enjoyed their experiences. Also, if the company has been in the news or has any recent achievements, these are things you should know about before the Career Fair. Narrow down your top employers and try to make your approach specific based on your research.

Impress recruiters by stating who you are and why you are interested intheir organization. Try out your pitch with a few different companies before approaching the company your top employers. This will give you an opportunity to get warmed up and approached your top employers with confidence!

Questions to consider asking employers:

• "What is the company culture like?"
• "Looking at your website, I noticed you have a training program. Can you tell me more about that?"
• "What role does the Career Fair play in the hiring process?"
• "May I contact you with further questions?"

Questions you do not want to ask employers:

• "Can you tell me about what your company does?"
• "What jobs do you have open?"
• Questions regarding Salary, vacation time, benefits

You only get one chance to… well, you know the rest. Think of a career fair as an "Interview to Go". While the atmosphere is more casual than a traditional interview setting, your wardrobe should not be casual. Don't let the word "fair" fool you; it is not a social event; the same rule applies to attire at traditional interviews. Dress for career fairs as if you were going to a formal interview. It's always better to be overdressed then to be underdressed. In this way, you will make a lasting professional impression on the recruiter and you will stand out from the crowd. Wear comfortable dress shoes since you may be doing a lot of walking around. Use these easy guidelines when deciding what to wear:

Make sure your resume is updated and easy to read. Bring several copies that are neatly held and easily accessible in a portfolio, padfolio, or folder. Be aware that some companies may not accept paper resumes, but may advise you to apply on their website. If this happens and you are interested in applying online, make sure you include the name of the company representative and where you met him/her in your cover letter. This will serve as a refresher and let the company know how you found out about the position you are applying.

Nothing says confidence like a warm smile, firm handshake, and good eye contact. As you shake hands, share the main points about you that connect the organization and career field with your experiences. Be polite, confident, and enthusiastic. Don't simply hand over your resume and wait quietly with the recruiter reviews it.

Don't forget to ask recruiters for their business cards. When you are finished talking to the recruiter, step to the side and write a few notes on the back of the card about your conversation. WIthin a few days, send a follow-up email to the recruiter thanking them for their time. If you wrote down some notes, use them here and impress the recruiters with your knowledge.