Bringing opportunity to Beaver Nation

Whether you're looking for a part-time job, a summer internship, or your first post-OSU opportunity, Career Fairs are a chance to meet with employers who are eager to hire Beavs like you!

      

 Spring 2023 Career Fairs

 

 

   

About in-person Fairs

 

Career fairs are a chance for OSU students to meet with businesses and organizations who are interested in hiring Oregon State students. Instead of spending hours trying to set up separate meetings with potential employers, you can come to one event and interact with multiple potential job leads.

Career fairs typically include employers offering part-time, full-time, and internship opportunities. Even if you're not ready to launch into a post-graduation career, these events are a good chance to start making connections and researching possibilities.

 

Tips for making the most of in-person Career Fairs

 

 

1. Plan ahead

  • Use your Oregon State email to log in to Handshake and click on "Events" at the top to see all upcoming career-related events at Oregon State. Use the "Career Fairs" filter to see just upcoming career fairs. Click on the name of a fair you're interested in to see details like which employers or organizations are attending.
  • Register for the fairs you want to attend Handshake so you can receive event updates and details, and mark your calendar so you don't forget!

 

  

2. Prepare your resume
  • Use Vmock for a virtual resume review in advance of the fair, look at the resume tips in our online Career Guide, or come to the Career Development Center for a drop-in resume review appointment with a career assistant.
  • Once your resume is ready, print at least 10 copies to share with organizations at the fair.

 

  

3. Do your homework
  • Research the employers, agencies, or non-profits planning to attend the fair. Find organizations or positions you are interested in, and learn more about what they do. (Tip: this helps you have informed conversations with them at the event -- it's a good way to stand out from other candidates!)
  • Practice a short "elevator pitch" about yourself -- be prepared to tell employers who you are, what you do, and why you're there.

 

  

4. Meet and greet
  • Smile and greet the representatives at the event with confidence, but wait your turn to speak.
  • Introduce yourself and ask well-informed questions.
  • Remember the importance of a first impression; dress and present yourself for the position/organization you want. This may vary from industry to industry -- if you're not sure what appropriate attire would look like, reach out to the Career Advisor for your major for advice. You can also check out our online guide to Dressing for an Interview and the "Dressing for an Interview" section of our online guide for Expressing your Identity or Culture.
  • Offer to leave your resume with them and get their contact information.

 

  

5. Make a move
  • Within 48 hours of the fair, send an email or call employers you made a connection with. Thank them for their time and reiterate what you discussed at the fair.
  • Make your message personal and unique to them and their organization, and try to set up a next step (company tour, informational interview, volunteering, application).
      

About Virtual Fairs

What can you do at a virtual fair?
Tips for attending a virtual fair:
   
Virtual Fair Frequently Asked Questions
  • Navigate to the Events page of Handshake, then us the "Career Fair" option to identify virtual fairs on the Handshake platform.
  • The fair sessions will all take place on Handshake; you will not need to access any other platforms unless employers choose to use a third-party platform. Specific directions will be shared in these situations. 

Employers are able to host two types of sessions to interact with students:

  • Group Sessions: 30 minutes each, multiple students can attend
  • 1:1 Sessions: 10 minutes each, one student and one employer representative can attend

In these sessions, employers will be identified as the Host, and they will be able to share their screen with participants. 

  • In order to sign up for sessions with employers, you must be registered for the fair. 
  • To sign up for Group or 1:1 sessions, your profile privacy will need to be set to Community or Employers. 
  • Review which employers are attending the fair (follow employers you want to check back in with)!
  • You'll be able to sign up for sessions up to one (1) minute before the start time; once the session has started, you'll be unable to sign up for the session. 

Check out Handshake's blog post for more tips on how to stand out in a virtual fair!

  • Yes! Students will be able to sign up to meet with employers in 1:1 and group sessions during a virtual fair, and employers will have access to these students' resumes before and after the fair.
  • Students will need to meet with an employer in order for their resume to be visible.

There are no restrictions by location, so as long as the student has logged into Handshake they will be able to participate. 

Yes! You will be able to see previous sessions within the sessions tab.

Transcripts will not be provided for conversations held during the fair. Instead, there will be moderation options for students and employers to utilize during conversations.

Yes! Click here to watch a very informative tutorial about how to navigate the Virtual Fair platform.