Are Career Fairs Worth It? Your Guide to Making Your College Career Fair a Networking Success
If you’ve ever been to a career fair, you’ve probably felt overwhelmed.
The first career fair I went to, I had no clue what I was doing. I don’t even think I wore a suit. I wandered around aimlessly and honestly, there were a few chances I had to network but I chickened out.
You may be wondering, “Are career fairs worth it?” The answer to that unfortunately is, it depends. It depends on a lot of factors but the most important one is how prepared you are.
If you’re not prepared, a career fair is not worth it because more than likely, you’ll walk away with nothing. If you do prepare though, it could be a positive experience.
What You’ll Learn After Reading This Article
1. What is a career fair and what industries are they most beneficial for
2. How to make a career fair worth it.
3. Frequently asked questions about career fairs.
What Is a Career Fair?
A career fair is an event where employers and job seekers meet — often in a large venue, college gym, or virtual setting — to exchange information about job openings, internships, and career paths. Think of it as speed dating for jobs. You get a few minutes to make an impression, ask smart questions, and figure out if the company (and the job) might be a fit for you.
At a career fair, recruiters are there to build their talent pipeline, not just hire on the spot. That means even if you don’t walk away with a job offer, you can still walk away with valuable connections. You can meet hiring managers face-to-face, learn what skills are in demand, and practice presenting yourself confidently in a professional setting.
Career fairs can be held in-person or online. Many universities host annual events for students and recent graduates, while community organizations and professional associations often run them for mid-career professionals. Virtual career fairs — which became more popular after 2020 — allow you to chat with recruiters from anywhere, saving you the time and cost of travel.
What Industries Benefit Most from Career Fairs
Not every industry recruits heavily through career fairs, but some rely on them as a key hiring channel. If you’re in (or interested in) one of the following fields, a career fair can be especially valuable:
1. Business and Finance
Banks, insurance companies, and corporate employers regularly attend career fairs to meet young professionals. These industries often hire large numbers of entry-level analysts, accountants, and customer service representatives every year — perfect for students or recent grads who want a foot in the door.
2. Healthcare
Hospitals, healthcare networks, and long-term care facilities frequently attend local or regional job fairs to fill nursing, medical assistant, and technician roles. If you’re looking for a stable, people-focused career, healthcare fairs can help you discover openings you might not see online.
3. Technology and Engineering
Tech and engineering companies love career fairs because they allow them to meet candidates face-to-face and showcase their innovation. You’ll find recruiters from software startups, cybersecurity firms, and major engineering companies looking for students and professionals with specialized skills.
4. Education and Government
Public sector employers — including schools, municipalities, and state agencies — often rely on career fairs to attract teachers, social workers, and administrative professionals. These organizations usually offer great benefits and long-term stability.
5. Trade and Skilled Labor
Career fairs aren’t just for office jobs. Trade unions, construction firms, and manufacturing employers often attend local fairs to recruit skilled workers and apprentices. If you’re pursuing a hands-on career path, these events can help you connect directly with decision-makers.
Now that we understand what a career fair is and what industries are using career fairs, let’s look at how to make career fairs worth it.
Tips to Make Career Fairs Worth It
Tip #1: Do Your Research
Before attenting any career fair, you should always do your research or else it could be a complete waste of time.
The first career fair I went to (the one that was a disaster that I mentioned before) I didn’t even realize I could look up what companies were going and what they were hiring for.
This is extremely important information.
Why?
Well if you don’t know who’s going to be at the career fair and what jobs they’re hiring for, you’re just going to be walking around aimlessly handing out resumes. You probably won’t get anything out of it and you might not even see companies that are hiring for jobs you’re interested in.
Before you go here’s what to do:
1. Ensure there are companies that you are interested in that are going to be there.
2. Ensure they are hiring for the jobs you’re interested in. For example, if you’re looking for a Senior level role and they’re only hiring for internships, you’re either going to have to find a different event or gear your networking towards someone who’s probably not interested in hiring you.
3. Have a resume and also a short one page highlight of your value to separate you from the crowds of people handing out their resumes.
Tip #2: Don’t Just Have An Elevator Pitch, Say Something Memorable
When you go to a career fair, it’s easy to feel like a small fish in a big sea. If you look around, you’ll see people standing in a line waiting to talk to a representative from the company who may not exactly be that excited to be there that day.
Going up to this person and giving them the same boring elevator pitch they’ve heard 200 times is not going to make an impression and is not going to make them care about you.
You’ll have about 2 or 3 minutes if your lucky to talk to this person, so why not start out with something interesting.
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of watching the show The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, you probably remember when they meet all of their potential husbands or wives. The people usually get out of the limo and do something or say something wacky to get noticed.
I’m not trying to tell you to dress up in a Superman costume or anything like that, but I am telling you to be memorable.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Lead with something exciting your working on: “Hi, my name is Tim Smith and I’m finishing up a sales campaign where I called 400 potential customers and sold ticket packages to 10% of them”.
2. Tell them something unique about yourself: “I’m in my second year of law school and speak fluent Mandarin and started the first Mandarin club on my campus”.
3. Directly show how you can help their company: “Hi my name is Nick Anderson and I see you’re looking to hire an accountant. I’ve been working in my school’s student aid office and help them balance their books.
The takeway here is you should set yourself apart from the boring elevator pitch and resume crowd and stand out.
Tip #3: Get Contact Information From People You Talk With
This may sound obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve just handed someone my resume at these career fairs never to hear from that person again.
If you don’t get their card or an email address, you’ve wasted your time, no matter how much you think you connected with that person.
Unless you’ve followed the second tip perfectly and really made a memorable impression (which I hope you did) these people are most likely not going to reach out to you. Sorry.
There’s no guarantee you’ll hear from them if you send them an email or give them a call (depending on how they said to contact you). Getting their contact information is at least a way for you to potentially get a response.
Here’s What You Should Do:
1. Hand them your information and ask for theirs.
2. Send them an email the next day to follow up.
3. Follow up a week later if you haven’t heard from them.
Tip #4: Practice Before You Go
You wouldn’t walk into a job interview without practicing first, right? The same logic applies to career fairs. Before you show up, take time to practice what you’re going to say — not just your elevator pitch, but also how you’ll answer common questions like:
“What kind of role are you looking for?”
“Tell me a little about yourself.”
“Why are you interested in our company?”
When you’re face-to-face with a recruiter, you only have a couple of minutes to make an impression, and stumbling through your answers can make you seem unprepared. Practicing helps you sound confident, clear, and intentional instead of nervous or unsure.
Try running through a few mock conversations with a friend, a professor, or even in front of a mirror. Record yourself if you have to — you’ll notice small tweaks you can make to sound more natural. The goal isn’t to memorize a script, but to get comfortable talking about your strengths and goals in a conversational way.
Walking in with that confidence will make you stand out — because most people won’t prepare nearly as much as you will.
Tip #5: Follow Up the Right Way
Getting someone’s business card or email isn’t the finish line — it’s your starting point for building a relationship. The follow-up is where you turn a brief conversation into a real connection.
Within 24 hours of the career fair, send a short, thoughtful email thanking the recruiter for their time and reminding them who you are. Reference something specific you discussed so it’s not just another generic “thank you” message. For example:
“Hi Sarah, it was great meeting you at the Rutgers Career Fair yesterday! I enjoyed learning about your company’s management trainee program and how it supports professional development. I’d love to stay in touch and be considered for future opportunities.”
If you had a great conversation, you can also connect on LinkedIn with a quick note reminding them where you met. Recruiters often meet hundreds of students at these events — this small step helps them remember you.
And don’t be afraid to follow up again after a week or two if you haven’t heard back. Persistence (done professionally) shows genuine interest, and it’s often what separates those who land interviews from those who don’t.
Frequently Asked Questions About Career Fairs
Q: Do companies actually hire people from career fairs?
A: Sometimes, yes — but not always on the spot. Most companies use career fairs to identify strong candidates for future openings. If you make a great impression and follow up, you could land an interview later. The key is staying proactive after the event.
Q: What should I bring to a career fair?
A: Always bring multiple copies of your resume, a professional-looking folder, a pen, and a notepad. It’s also smart to bring business cards if you have them. Don’t forget your confidence — first impressions matter just as much as what’s on paper.
Q: What should I wear to a career fair?
A: Dress as if you were going to an interview. For most events, business professional or business casual attire is appropriate. A clean, pressed outfit and good posture go a long way in showing recruiters that you take your career seriously.
Final Thoughts: Are Career Fairs Worth It?
Career fairs can absolutely be worth it — but only if you put in the effort beforehand. If you walk in prepared, confident, and ready to make meaningful connections, you’ll leave with much more than just a handful of brochures.
You’ll leave with contacts, experience, and possibly even an opportunity that could shape your career path.
So the next time you’re wondering if you should go to that career fair — go. Just make sure you go prepared.