Beyond the Career Fair: Next Steps to Career Readiness

You went to the Career Fair. Now what? 

The Career Fair may be over, but your work doesn’t have to stop there. Whether you connected with a specific employer, discovered a new opportunity, or simply practiced introducing yourself, there are several steps you can take to turn your career fair experience into your next opportunity.

Follow Up With Employers

If you had a meaningful conversation with an employer, follow up within a few days while the conversation is still fresh. A thoughtful follow-up email can help reinforce your interest, remind the employer who you are, and keep the door open for future opportunities.

Sample Follow-Up Email

Subject: Follow-Up from the Rutgers University Career & Internship Fair

Dear Mr. Recruiter,

My name is Scarlett Knight, and we met on September 13 at The Rutgers University Career and Internship Fair. I enjoyed speaking with you about your organization and the current opportunities available.

I am specifically interested in a Financial Analyst position and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications in an interview. I am confident that my educational background and internship experience have prepared me to succeed in this role.

I have attached a copy of my resume for your review. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you for your time and consideration. I genuinely appreciate your kindness in answering my questions and offering advice.

Sincerely,
Scarlett Knight
908-123-4567
Knight123@rutgers.edu

Stay Connected

Your conversation with an employer doesn’t have to end when the fair does. Continue building the relationships you started at the event.

• Connect with employers on LinkedIn. A personalized connection request can help you stay on an employer’s radar and continue learning about their organization.
• Share your experience. Consider creating a LinkedIn post about your career fair experience. You can share what you learned, highlight an interesting conversation, or reflect on what you’re looking forward to exploring next.

Explore Opportunities and Take Action

The career fair is just one way to connect with employers and discover opportunities. Keep the momentum going by exploring what’s available after the event.

• Check Handshake and employer websites. Look for internships, part-time jobs, and full-time opportunities that align with your interests and experience.
• Apply for positions that interest you. If you spoke with an employer about a specific opportunity, take the next step and submit your application.
• Explore upcoming events on Handshake. Check the Events page and register for employer information sessions, workshops, networking events, and other programs that interest you.

Prepare for Your Next Conversation

If your career fair conversation leads to an interview, you’ll want to be ready. Even if you don’t have an interview scheduled yet, now is a great time to start preparing.

• Explore our Interview Techniques resources for guidance on preparing for and succeeding in interviews.
• Attend a How to Prepare for an Interview workshop by searching for “Career Center Guidance” events on Handshake.
• Practice your responses with Big Interview, an online tool that helps you prepare for interviews through practice questions and feedback.

Get Career-Ready

Your career fair experience is part of a larger career journey. Take advantage of the resources available through Career Exploration and Success to continue building your confidence and preparing for what comes next.

Visit The Career Closet

Need professional clothing for an upcoming interview, internship, career fair, or workplace experience? Schedule an appointment through Handshake to visit The Rutgers–New Brunswick Career Closet at the CES Gateway Transit Village office.

Located at 106 Somerset St., 4th Floor, New Brunswick, NJ, The Career Closet provides professional clothing to Rutgers–New Brunswick students at no cost.

Keep the Momentum Going

A career fair is more than a single event—it’s an opportunity to build connections, discover possibilities, and take the next step toward your career goals. Follow up, stay connected, explore opportunities, and use the resources available through Career Exploration and Success to keep moving forward.

Your next opportunity could start with the conversation you had at the fair.