Crafting Your Professional Image: A Guide for OSU Students Preparing for the Career Fair

Thursday, September 5, 2024

The OSU career fairs are just around the corner, and whether you’re gearing up to land that dream internship or your first post-graduate role, how you present yourself can make all the difference. Crafting a professional image isn’t just about the right outfit; it’s about how you communicate and your overall approach. Here are some tips and tricks to help you put your best foot forward and make a lasting impression!

Dress the Part

First impressions are everything. Aim for a look that’s polished and professional:

Suits and Blazers: For most career fairs, a well-fitted suit or blazer is ideal. Stick with neutral colors like navy, gray or black.
Business Casual: If a suit feels too formal for the industry you're targeting, business casual is a solid alternative. Think slacks with a button-down shirt, or a blouse paired with dress pants or a skirt works well.
Grooming: Ensure your hair is neat and your overall appearance is tidy. Avoid overly flashy accessories and strong perfumes or colognes.

Jimmy Fallon showing off his professional attire

Prepare Your Elevator Pitch

You’ll have a limited amount of time to make an impression, so have a concise and engaging elevator pitch ready. This should include:

Introduction: Your name and your major.
Skills and Experience: Briefly mention any relevant experiences or skills.
Career Goals: What you’re looking for and why you’re excited about the opportunity to talk to this particular employer.

Practice your pitch until it feels natural and confident, but avoid sounding robotic or rehearsed.

Polish Your Resume

Your resume is your marketing tool, so make sure it’s pristine.

Tailor It: Customize your resume for the types of roles you’re interested in. Highlight experiences and skills that are relevant.
Format Effectively: Keep it clean, concise and easy to read. Use bullet points, clear headings and a professional font.
Proofread: Typos and grammatical errors can be a red flag, so review your resume multiple times and consider asking a mentor or career advisor to take a look.
Print It: Print your resume to hand to employers. Students can get free resume paper and printing with OSU Career Services at 360 Student Union.

Learn more about developing your job search materials.

Man saying "my resume speaks for itself" GIF

Research the Companies

Before the fair, research the companies that will be in attendance. Understand their mission, values and recent news. This knowledge will help you ask insightful questions and show that you’re genuinely interested in their organization. Download the career fair app to see what companies are attending, their location and more!

Practice Good Networking Etiquette

Networking is about building relationships, not just collecting business cards. Remember to:

Be Approachable: Smile, make eye contact and use a firm handshake.
Follow Up: After the fair, send personalized follow-up emails to the people you met. Thank them for their time and express your continued interest in their company.

"You can't put a price on preparedness" GIF

Remember that the career fair is as much about you finding the right fit as it is about employers finding the right candidate. Stay calm, be yourself and approach each conversation with confidence.

For more information on each career fair, check out this link.

Good luck, Cowboys! With these tips, you’re well on your way to making a standout impression at the career fair.