How to get an internship at a career fair

To get an internship at a career fair you need to research the companies that will be in attendance, prepare your resume and elevator pitch, and dress appropriately. Here are some details on these steps and others you can take to get an internship at a career fair:

• Research the companies that will be in attendance

It is critical for you to do a lot of research on the organizations that are going to be present at the career fair. This will help you understand their histories, missions, goals, and values. Understanding this information can help inform you on how to interact with the representatives of these companies at the fair. You should also research their internship programs.

• Prepare your resume and elevator pitch

Craft a resume that highlights your experience, skills, and achievements. You should also try to tailor the resume specifically towards the types of companies that will be attending the career fair. Then practice an elevator pitch (around 30 seconds) on why you are a great candidate for an internship program. You'll use this when introducing yourself to recruiters.

• Prepare to answer interview-type questions

Next, you should prepare for the interview-type questions you may receive. Search online to see if you can find anyone who has interviewed for these companies in the past or for similar internship positions. This can help you find sample questions that you can then practice answering. You should not memorize your answers. This is not your elevator pitch.

Simply get used to answering the questions in different ways. You want your answers to come off as organic and authentic, not rehearsed and canned. Think about different aspects of your history that you can also infuse into the answers to the questions recruiters might have for you at this career fair.

• Dress well

To do this properly, you should first understand the typical dress code of the companies in attendance and the industries that they are in. Take into consideration the level of formality required. Some companies might have a strict suit-and-tie dress code, while others can be less formal. Do some research on the organizations' dress policies to find out what to wear.

• Approach recruiters with confidence

While at the career fair, try to approach as many recruiters as possible and confidently relay your elevator pitch. This is important because it helps you get the feel for the interaction, and the more times you do it, the more comfortable and confident you will feel. Ask the recruiters specific questions about the internship programs and show your interest in them.

• Touch on your relevant experiences

Use specific examples and anecdotes from your academic (and professional, if applicable) experiences to outline your skills and qualifications for the internship roles. Put particular emphasis on volunteer work, extracurricular activities, relevant coursework, and any specific achievements or accomplishments you have obtained up to this point.

• Follow up after the career fair