Winter 2016 Illinois Tech Career Fair: Resources for Students

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The Illinois Tech 2016 Winter Career Fair will be held on Thursday, February 4 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. in Hermann Hall at 3241 S. Federal St., Chicago, IL. Over 100 companies and a thousand students and alumni are likely to participate in this event. Below are some resources from the Stuart Career Management Center on making the most of your career fair experience.

How to Prepare:

  • Create a resume and have it reviewed by the Stuart Career Management Center (CMC) staff before the event.
  • Work with the Stuart CMC to develop a 30-second introduction to meet employers at the Career Fair.
  • Research targeted companies. The list of employers is posted on the university's Career Services website. Extensive company research will separate students from many other job applicants that the company meets.
  • Prepare answers to commonly-asked questions, including "Tell me about yourself" and "Why are you interested in our company?"
  • Have several insightful questions to ask the company during the job fair.

Do's and Don'ts

  • Do dress up professionally (business professional).
  • Do research the companies and their open positions.
  • Do bring enough resumes.
  • Do take a portfolio, paper and pens.
  • Do prepare a short 30 second introduction.
  • Do arrive 15 minutes before the event starts.
  • Do have a copy of the program and note locations of employers you are interested in meeting.
  • Do give a firm handshake and maintain eye contact with the employer.
  • Do give a copy of your resume to the employer and be prepared to answer the question, "So, tell me about yourself."
  • Do take the business cards from the recruiters you meet.
  • Do follow-up with the recruiters you met and send them thank you notes and express your interest once again.

Here are a few don'ts:

  • Do not ask the employer what they have for you or what they can do for you.
  • Do not ask the employer whether they will sponsor you.
  • Do not go unprepared ("wing it") in front of employers.
  • Do not just hand over your resume to the employer and look at their face blankly.
  • Do not overlook employers based on type of business.
  • Do not go to employers with a group of friends.
  • Do not stock up on the free stuff.
  • Do not monopolize the recruiter's time.

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