Spring Career Fairs: The Playbook Most Students Never Get
Your student goes to a career fair, comes home with a tote bag and a few pens, and says, “It was fine.” You hear: “Great, progress.” They feel: “I talked to people, but nothing happened.”
The Missing Truth: Career fairs are rarely where someone “gets the job.” They are where students earn the next step.The students who win are not the most confident; they are the most clear, and they follow up fast.
What a Career Fair is Really For
A career fair is high-speed screening. The goal is to leave with one of these four "Wins":
● A recruiter’s direct name and a specific application link.
● A referral to a specific role or program.
● An invitation to a coffee chat, info session, or interview.
● A specific "hook" for a follow-up email.
The 7-Step Playbook
Step 1: The "8 to 10" Rule
Don't try to visit 30 booths. It leads to exhaustion and generic conversations. Aim for 8 to 10 high-quality interactions using this mix:
● 3 Reach Companies: The big names (high competition).
● 5 Match Companies: Realistic fits for their major/experience.
● 2 "Warm-up" Companies: Lower-stakes companies where they can practice their pitch first.
Step 2: Prepare the "Cheat Sheet"
For each employer, your student needs two lines in their phone or on a small notepad:
Why them: "I’m interested in your sustainability initiatives..."
The Ask: "I want to know what makes a sophomore application stand out for the summer program."
Step 3: The "Success Kit" (Physical + Digital)
● 10–12 Resumes: Printed on clean, heavy paper.
● The "Digital Handshake": Have the LinkedIn QR code ready on their phone for quick scanning.
● One-Page Project Sheet: (For STEM/Design) A visual "proof of work" to leave behind.
● The Essentials: Pen, notepad, water, and mints.
Step 4: The 20-Second "Positioning" Pitch
The pitch is not a life story. It is a proof point plus a clear ask.
The Template: > “Hi, I’m [Name]. I’m a [Year] studying [Major]. I’ve spent this year [one specific achievement or project], and I’m hoping to learn which teams hire interns and what you look for in a strong candidate.”
Step 5: Ask Questions Recruiters Respect
Avoid questions that can be Googled. Better questions signal preparation:
● "What experiences separate students who get interviews from those who do not?"
● "What does success look like in the first 30 days for an intern on your team?"
● "What is the best next step after today, and who should I follow up with?"
Step 6: Use the Line for "Intelligence Gathering"
Long lines aren't a waste of time. While waiting, your student should:
● Listen: What are other students asking? What answers make the recruiter "light up"?
● Research: Look up the recruiter’s LinkedIn profile while standing there.
● Draft: Start the follow-up email in "Notes" while the conversation is fresh.
Step 7: The 24-Hour "Traction" Script
Follow-up is where the fair turns into an interview. Send this within 24 hours:
Subject: Great meeting you at [University] Career Fair - [Name]
"Hi [Recruiter Name], Thank you for the time today. I especially appreciated your insight on [specific detail from the talk]. I’ve just submitted my application for [Role Name]. If there is anyone else you recommend I connect with, I’d love to follow your lead."
How You Can Help (Without "Hovering")
You don't need to manage the fair for them. Instead, be the Logistics & Strategy partner:
The Permission Ask: “Do you want 15 minutes to practice your pitch with me, or would you rather handle it solo?”
The "Success Check": Offer to print their resumes on high-quality paper or help pick out a "business casual" outfit.
The Focus Question: “Which 10 companies are on your 'hit list' for tomorrow?”
Is your student ready for Spring recruitment?
If your student is staring at a long list of companies and feeling overwhelmed, let’s get them focused. I help students at GradLanding build their targeting lists, polish their pitches, and write the follow-up scripts that actually get replies.
Book a free 20-minute Strategy Call to prep for the Spring Fair