ACES + LAS Career Fair
ACES + LAS Virtual Career Fair
September 23, 2021
12-6 p.m. CDT
The fair will be held through the Handshake @ Illinois platform.
Helpful videos
- Select your career fair attire at least a week before the event.
- While a tattoo won’t necessarily prohibit you from getting a job, don’t let anything pull a recruiter’s focus or attention from you and your skills and experience. Likewise, if you choose to wear earrings, make sure they are not too distracting. Small hoops or stud earrings may be best.
- Hair should be pulled away from the face. It is important for recruiters to be able to see your eyes.
- Dark suits with light shirts are standard, but what’s most important is that you look professional.
- Make sure your clothes are ironed and neat. If you don't have access to an iron, covering a wrinkled shirt with a sweater is a good option.
- If you wear a tie, practice tying using an online video. If no tie, button your shirt to at least second to top button.
- Register ahead of time.
- Research the companies attending the fair. See the list in Handshake.
- Not all companies will be attending the entire day, so check each employers’ specific chat times to make sure you are able to meet with the ones on your list.
- Update and polish your resume—you can get assistance through the Life + Career Design Lab, The Career Center, the Humanities Professional Resource Center, or the Writer's Workshop.
- Ready your professional attire.
- Use this link if you want a short video demonstration of the CareerEco platform.
- Test your devices and wifi and download software.
- Many employers will prefer you use a device with a camera so you can speak face-to-face. If you plan to use one, ensure that your setup puts you in a good light. A good rule of thumb is to put the camera at eye-level. You can also use virtual backgrounds to look more professional.
- Don't wait until the last hour. Ensure you have time to meet with your ideal company. Remember: Not all companies will be attending the entire day, so be sure you're ready to talk to specific employers while they're at the fair.
- Be prepared to submit your resume as an electronic copy.
- Being personable will go a long way!
- Show the recruiters you did your research. Talk about their company websites or something positive you learned about the company.
- Write down the names of recruiters from the companies you speak with.
- Create a file of the companies and contacts you spoke with and of the potential opportunities you learned about at the fair. Maintain it.
- Connect with new contacts on LinkedIn.
- Send thank-you messages.
- Favorite companies in Handshake and get notified when they post opportunities or come back to campus.