Are you hoping to be fully prepared for the Career Fair, deliver a strong elevator pitch, and make meaningful connections while networking? Then here are some key strategies that will help you succeed at the upcoming Career Fair:
Research employers in advance. Research various companies and employers attending the RWU Career Fair via Handshake and familiarize yourself with their key focus areas so you can have more meaningful conversations. Researching employers before the career fair is crucial to confidently discuss their work during the fair, and to show you truly care and are interested in what that company works on.
Dress professionally. Wear your best professional attire so you look put-together and most importantly feel confident. At the Spring 2026 Career Fair, a photographer will be there to take professional headshots. We highly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity—it’s a great way to get a LinkedIn profile picture, and it’s useful to have a professional headshot for future opportunities.
Prepare your elevator pitch. Practice introducing yourself, your major(s), minor(s), and career interests in under a minute. An elevator pitch is one of the most important tools for the career fair. It’s your opportunity to “sell” yourself, your skills, and your values to employers and networking professionals. Being well-prepared and confident in your pitch ensures you make a strong, professional first impression.
Network with intention. Ask thoughtful questions, listen actively, and collect contact information to follow up afterwards. Networking is especially important at the Career Fair, where you have the opportunity to meet employers, engage in meaningful conversations, and learn more about the companies you are interested in.
Bring multiple copies of your resume. When attending the career fair, plan to bring at least ten copies of your resume. When researching the employers you want to meet, count how many you plan to speak with and print a few extra copies. Come by the Center for Career and Professional Development before the career fair to get your resume printed in the number of copies of your choice on resume paper, along with the color of your choice (eggshell, white, or grey).
Take notes after networking conversations. It’s very important to write down key details after speaking with employers so you can reference specific topics when sending follow-up emails after the career fair. This helps employers remember who you are and what you discussed. Taking notes also benefits you by helping you remember application steps, internship opportunities related to your field of study, and where to look for future internships and job postings.
Optional: Bring business cards. If you come by the CCPD in the weeks before the Career Fair, we can print business cards for you that display your name, major(s), minor(s), involvements on campus, contact information, and whatever else you may want. You can customize them to best represent you as a student and professional and print the quantity you plan to share with employers. Bringing business cards to the Career Fair helps you stand out and gives employers an easy way to follow up with you about internships or job opportunities. Keep in mind it can take up to 2-3 weeks to have them printed, so make sure to plan accordingly!
The Career Fair can seem daunting, especially if it’s your first time attending. Keeping these tips and tricks in mind, you’ll be able to efficiently, professionally, and calmly make your way through Career Fairs and other networking events! If you ever want extra support (for Career Fair prep or any other career-related instance), you can meet with your Career Advisor by scheduling an appointment with them on Handshake, or by scheduling an appointment at our front desk.
We wish you the best of luck at the Career Fair!
— CCA Ashlyn
