As an agriculture student, career fairs can be highly beneficial to help kickstart your ag career. At a career fair, you get to meet a plethora of agriculture, food, and related companies with opportunities for new grads and entry-level candidates. It’s also a great opportunity to network and make good first impressions to potential future employers.
But, how do you stand out from the crowd when there are hundreds of students in attendance? We have tips for before, during, and after the career fair to ensure you stand out from the rest.
Don’t attend a career fair without properly preparing. Employers at the fair will easily be able to see who prepared ahead of time and is taking the career fair seriously. Here are a few key ways to set yourself up for success before attending an ag career fair.
Your school most likely will have a list of the companies attending the career fair. Use that list to research companies that pique your interest. Then, write down which ones you want to visit most so you can prioritize and make the most of your time at the fair.
Use your research as talking points with the reps at the career fair. Mentioning just one small thing about their company that you learned from their website can show the employer that you did your homework.
After researching the companies you’re interested in, write a list of 2-3 specific questions to ask each employer once you meet them.
A few questions you could ask include:
Make sure your resume is up to date and ready to be shared. Don’t forget to include your anticipated graduation date so employers know if you’ll be available to work in the near future. Don’t forget to bring a pen, notepad, and folder to keep your resumes in.
Need to write your first resume? Check out this video!
An elevator pitch or speech is a concise and compelling introduction, typically between 30-60 seconds, that explains who you are, what you do, and why it matters. Your elevator pitch as a student is going to look different than it will once you’ve been in the workforce for a while. Your elevator pitch at a college-level career fair may sound something like this:
“Hi, I’m Sam, and I am a Senior here at the University of Tennessee. I’m majoring in Agriculture Business with a minor in Finance. After graduation, I am interested in working as an Agriculture Loan Officer. I’d love to learn a little more about your company.”
Develop your unique pitch and practice it several times before the career fair so you have it memorized. Practicing in the mirror can be effective to examine and work on your body language, too.
Even though a career fair isn’t technically a job interview, you should treat it like one if you want to make a strong first impression. Dressing professionally can help you stand out from your peers. While you don’t need to show up in a full suit and tie, slacks and a nice button-down shirt are appropriate.
You’ve done your prep work, now it’s time for the actual event. Once you arrive at the career fair and begin connecting with companies, here are some things you can do to stand out.
When you walk up to a company’s table or booth, make eye contact, shake hands, and introduce yourself. Let conversation flow, and if it feels right, give your elevator pitch. Ask your questions when the conversation allows. Part of leaving a lasting first impression is your confidence. Eye contact, engaging questions, and a firm handshake will all help you appear more confident.
When asking your questions, jot down a few notes as they provide you with answers and additional information about their company. This shows that you are interested and serious about the company or opportunity.
If you feel the conversation went well and you are interested in the employer, ask if you can leave a copy of your resume. Now is also a good time to grab any materials from their table such as a business card, pamphlet, branded goodies, or other resources.
Don’t linger too long. Stay a few minutes, but know when it’s time to move on and let other students speak to the employer reps who are attending. While you may think that the longer you stay and chat, the more interested you may seem – but you want to find a balance and ensure you’re not hogging the booth.
You successfully attended the career fair and were able to explore companies, opportunities, and network with others. The hard part is over! Now, over the next few days, it’s time to put the final touches on your efforts to stand out.
For the companies you were able to grab a business card from, follow up with the rep you spoke with by sending them an email. Keep it simple, thanking them for their time at the career fair and that you look forward to staying connected about future opportunities.
Career fairs are great opportunities to grow your network in person and digitally. Send connection requests to individuals you met at the fair and follow companies on LinkedIn to stay connected and show your interest.
Don’t have a LinkedIn profile? It’s time to make one! Learn how.
After the career fair is a good time to reflect on the experience. Did any employers stick out to you? Could your elevator pitch use some practice? Think about how you could improve your experience next time you attend a career fair and what you might do differently.
Now you are prepared to show up for your next ag career fair with confidence, ready to make a lasting impression!
Discover more advice for your ag career here, and follow us on YouTube.
When you’re ready to start your job search, check out AgHires Job Board with thousands of jobs and internships in agriculture, food production, biotechnology, and more!