With our in-person Fall Career Fairs happening this week, it is important to prepare for these opportunities to make sure you stand out to employers. Read the Career Center’s strategies and tips to get the most out of our career fairs:
Career Fair Details:
Culture and Community Recruiting Event – Fall 2025
Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
Fall Career Fair 2025
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
Do Your Research
The biggest mistake you can make coming to the career fair is being unprepared and not doing your research on employers attending ahead of time.
- Log in to Handshake, click on the Events tab, then click on the career fair you are attending and RSVP to see the full list of participating employers. Research employers by visiting their websites and finding out what positions they are recruiting for. Knowing about the organization will help you ask well-thought-out questions and make you stand out.
- Hone in on your research by selecting the employers you’re most interested in learning more about and visit them first on the day of the event.
- Keep an open mind! For example, a healthcare company may not be only looking for health science majors – it may have openings in finance, data analytics, and management.
Dress to Impress
Work attire has changed over the years and varies by industry. We still recommend you dress to impress to make a good first impression. View our Dress for Success guide for additional tips and watch last year’s Career Fair Fits video for attire inspiration.
Know Your Elevator Pitch
- Prepare a 30 second introduction, or your elevator pitch, to use with employers. Students can practice answering this important question through our Big Interview mock interview platform or the VMock elevator pitch module. You don’t want to sound like you are reading a script, but you do want to sound like you thought about why you are there.
- Example Pitch:, “Hello. I’m Tommy Trojan, a senior in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. My experiences include working as a marketing intern for a finance company and leading their social media strategy. I’m looking for a position related to marketing when I graduate this May. I read on your website that (name of organization) has an entry-level position in your corporate marketing department, and would really like to learn more about this role.”
Get additional tips on perfecting your elevator pitch on our website.
Bring a Well-Polished Resume
Carry a simple padfolio or folder to keep your resumes organized and ready. Not all employers will take your resume, and may refer you to their website. Either way, it is always good to be prepared.
- Your resume should cover the basics: your education, work experience, leadership/extracurricular experience, and skills.
- You can receive tailored constructive feedback on your resume instantly through the USC Smart Resume tool through the VMock website.
- You can also have your resume critiqued by the Career Center or your school-based career services office. Cover letters are not necessary at a career fair. Please note, our office will be closed on Tuesday, September 9 for another one of our events (Career Carnival).
Know What to Expect the Day Of
The best way to approach the Career Fair is to create a plan for the day. Be prepared to wait in line, be patient, and be respectful. Focus on your top employers but be prepared that you may not see them.
Also, keep in mind that some employers will ask you to apply online. This does not mean the employer is brushing you off. Follow-up on a position based on the recruiter’s suggestions (apply for a position on their website, send your resume to them, connect with another person). Remember, employer representatives are taking note of candidates they are interested in, but they have to follow recruiting procedures.
Ask the Right Questions
Use each discussion with a recruiter as an opportunity. Increase your knowledge of the employer and its job options, the qualities, and skills the recruiter is looking for in a candidate. Examples of questions to ask:
- What career opportunities are available in your organization?
- What opportunities do you have for ___________ majors?
- What type of training is available?
- What do you look for in candidates?
- What key skills/experiences are highly desirable?
- Do you have any tips for success in this field?
Follow-Up with a Thank-You Email
Ask the recruiter how you can follow-up. If they provide you with their business card, write notes about your interaction with them so that you can mention this in your thank-you email and jog their memory about who you are. Add potential contacts on LinkedIn or the Trojan Network. View this helpful article on using thank you notes to boost your network.
Good luck! With the right preparation and professionalism, you will be sure to impress employers in-person!
