With the career fairs just around the corner, it’s important to know how to make a lasting impression on the companies you could be spending years working for.

The first step you need to take is polishing up your resume. 

Resumes need to include your contact information, work experience, education, graduation year and any extracurricular activities or leadership positions in which you have served.

Companies have moved past the fancy resume paper and onto greener options. 

Generally, employers will ask you to apply online; some, however, will accept your printed resume. 

Printer paper is just fine for those and no cover letter is needed for the career fairs.

When you arrive at the career fair, first impressions are key. 

Try to steer clear of the glitter covered, Justin Bieber or cartoon covered folders, and go for the more professional option.

Padfolios — leather- or cloth-bound resume holders — are great alternatives. You can pick up a Padfolio in the bookstore on campus. 

Make sure you pick a neutral color, such as black, for your Padfolio

It is also important for them to be easily accessible for your resumes.

Your clothing choice is also imperative. You can never go wrong with business professional.

“These employers want to listen to what you have to say and what you have to offer, and not get distracted by your clothes,” said Taren Crow, coordinator for the Liberal Arts and Sciences career services at Iowa State. “You want to present a professional image.”

Another key component to making a great impression is that first minute you speak with an employer at a career fair. 

It is essential to be confident and to practice your speech before you walk up to a potential employer.

Try and make yourself stand out to these employers, do your research on the companies and be able to say something that will help them remember you.

“Don’t get discouraged if an employer tells you that they aren’t recruiting for your major,” Crow said. 

“You can always ask about other positions or contacts.”

You can pick up a “cheat sheet” for how to approach and network with career fair recruiters in Career Services at 102 Catt Hall. This sheet will also include the top ranked skills that interest employers.

Some general Dos and Don’ts for the career fair are as follows:

Dos

• Be Enthusiastic and Confident
• Follow up with Career Services
• Dress in business casual attire
• Research the companies (A list of employers can be found on the Career Management System website.)

Don’ts

• Chew gum
• Overdo makeup, jewlery, perfume, etc.
• Get discouraged
• Be unprepared (Get your resumes polished and your research done.)