Avoid making mistakes at a career fair to ensure you leave a good impression

Attending your school’s career fair is a great idea if you are looking to meet and network with employers in your field. It will allow you to gain confidence, network with employers and ask potential employers important questions about the benefits of working for their organization.

TIP: Remember that at a career fair you are representing yourself as a potential employee of the organizations. Making a good impression should be your top priority.

If you are planning on attending a career fair, plan on avoiding some of the following behaviours, as they will hurt your personal brand.

• Saying, “I’ll take any job” or “I’m not sure” when an employer asks you about your interests. It will show a lack of focus, and worse, a lack of interest
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• Taking a lot of free stuff, especially without showing interest in a job with the company
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• Dressing in casual clothing
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• Not bringing enough resumes
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• Telling employers you are not willing to relocate
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• Asking inappropriate questions
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• Demonstrating poor communication skills, such as having a weak handshake and not making eye contact
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• Having a poor attitude
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• Confusing an employer with its competitors
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• Not knowing enough about an organization

Avoiding these common pitfalls will help ensure that you make a great impression with potential employers at your school’s career fair.