In general, you'll want to dress like you're going to the office - no denim, athletic attire, t-shirts, shorts, or other more casual attire. Button-down shirts with a tie, trousers, knee-length dresses and skirts, close-toed shoes, conservative blouses, and blazers are typical career-fair attire.

Schedule a time via Handshake to visit the Professional Closet in Macon or Cochran to learn more about professional attire and check out the lightly used items that we have for sale.

• Professional Attire Guide

Upper-level students and alumni should bring resumes so that employers have a way to follow up with them for potential opportunities. Freshmen and sophomores who want to attend to explore careers do not have to bring a resume, but to be competitive for internships, we strongly encourage resumes.  Check out our resume info to get started.

Use the list on Handshake to visit each company's web page to learn more about their organization and their typical career opportunities. Many companies will attend with the hopes of filling a particular position, but most hire for many other areas. 

We recommend open-ended questions that will engage the employer in dialogue. Rather than asking, "Do you have internships?", try something like, "What types of internships do you offer for someone interested in ____?" You can also ask about specific opportunities you saw listed on a company's website.  

Knowing what you want to say to employers when you first meet them will help ease any anxiety about attending the fair. Doing your research about the companies ahead of time will help you focus your pitch on each company.

If you have participated in a career fair in the past, many of the same principles apply. The big difference is scheduling meetings in advance and preparing your technology. You'll still wear professional attire and plan to discuss how your skills and experiences fit what the employer is seeking. Instead of waiting in line to talk to the employer in person, you'll be at a computer or mobile device in a quiet space where you can talk to the employer individually.

To participate in a virtual career fair on Handshake, you must have a Handshake account. You will also need to update your Handshake profile to include your correct major, GPA, graduation date, and school year. We recommend adding a professional headshot, skills, and work and club experiences. You should also add your resume to your profile so that employers and graduate schools have easy access to your information - this is very important for follow-up after the career fair. If a company asks for additional documents, be sure to upload those to your profile as well.

In addition to our in-person career fairs and employer campus visits, check Handshake for the employer and graduate school sessions open to students at multiple institutions. These virtual events connect you with a diverse set of opportunities that may be inside or outside the local region.