Ready, Set, Impress: How to Prep for a Career Fair

Career fairs can feel a little overwhelming—rows of tables and booths, lots of new faces, and plenty of opportunity you're eager to seize. The trick is transforming that vibe into confidence so you stand out for all the right reasons. With a few smart prep steps, you’ll walk in ready to impress and walk out with connections that count.

woman handing resume to a recruiter at a busy career fair event, an LIM College tote bag is in the background.

Pre-fair checklist

  • Resumes: Tailor your resumes to show relevant information to capture employers' attention, particularly when it comes to highlighting experience that's relevant to the brands you want to work for. Make sure to have enough hardcopies, too!
  • LinkedIn Profile: Update your LinkedIn profile to look presentable and current. It’s important that it not only catches an employer’s eye, but also prompts them to connect so they can keep you in mind for future opportunities.
  • Handshake Profile: For LIM students, your Handshake account should reflect all your work experience to date. Make sure your contact information is current, in case any employers want to send you messages.
  • Professional Headshot: Your digital presence should reflect how you want employers to see you. Get—or generate, using  tools like Secta, Veed.io, or HeadshotPro AI—a professional photo of yourself in the right attire to upload that to your career platform profiles.
  • Research: Inform yourself about the employers you’re talking to. Wise steps include checking out their website and social media accounts, in addition to conversing with anyone in your orbit who works or has worked there, so they can give you talking points that will make you stand out.

Also, make sure you're routinely interacting and posting on LinkedIn and Handshake, too! This shows employers you're proactive about engaging with the industry.

Overcoming nerves

  • Practice makes perfect: By going over your personal pitch a few times, you'll be less nervous about delivering it to employers.
  • Chat with a career advisor: Prior to a fair, LIM students are encouraged book a Handshake appointment with one of our Career Coaches. Then during the appointment, you can go over what to approve on and interview techniques.
  • Breathing exercises: If you get too nervous, focus on your breath. Interviews aren’t a race! So remember to breath while you're talking.

Choosing your "fair wear"

  • Corporate (buying, marketing, PR): If you're going for a corporate position, dress business professional. It's important to showcase your style while also reflecting the company's work environment.
  • Creative (social media, design, styling): For a creative role, make personal style front and center. This will help the employer get a look at your vision. (Be sure to still remain professional, of course!)

When the day of the fair arrives

  • Actively listen: Make sure you're listening to what the recruiter has to say about their company. Interviews should be a conversation, so make sure you engage.
  • If you've prearranged a specific meeting time with a specific employer, don't cancel last minute. If there's a scheduled interview you can’t make, always try to cancel well in advance. It is not only impolite to cancel last minute, it can show a lack of commitment.
  • Send a Thank-You note: Doing this within 24 hours really helps to strengthen a recruiter's opinion of you and your dedication. It show's you're seriously interested in working with them. You can also connect with them on LinkedIn.

These fairs aren’t just about handing out resumes—they’re about being well practiced in putting your best professional foot forward. With the right prep, you’ll walk away not only with new contacts but also with the confidence that you can thrive in any setting. So plan out your questions, polish your pitch, and get ready to turn opportunity into momentum.