Don’t know where to start with fall career fair prep?
Check out the Career Center’s guide to making the most out of this semester’s fairs.
Why Attend A Career Fair?
Career Fairs are a great opportunity to meet employers interested in hiring Trojans. Employers are taking the time to visit USC to meet with students and share information about their upcoming opportunities. Take advantage of this and interact with employers in person!
Employers in attendance may also not post their opportunities on Handshake, so attending is a great way to get all the details about their openings. Many also collect resumes at the fair.
Even if you are not ready to apply for a role, you can use career fairs as a networking opportunity. Organizations in attendance often bring in industry professionals to share about their experience. Fairs are a great time to familiarize yourself with the recruiting timelines for companies of interest.
Career Fair Details:
Internship Expo
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
Employers in attendance will be recruiting for paid-internship opportunities.
Fall Internship & Career Fair
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
Employers in attendance will be recruiting for paid internships, part-time and full-time opportunities.
Do Your Research
The best way to make the most of your time at each career fair is to plan.
The list of employers for every career fair will be available on Handshake, so you can see who will be in attendance. Make a list so you arrive at the fairs ready to speak with recruiters.
Research employers by visiting their websites and looking into what types of positions they recruit for. Knowing some information about the organization will help you ask thoughtful questions and make you stand out.
Log in to Handshake, click on the Events tab, then click on the career fair you are attending. RSVP to see the full list of participating employers.
Dress to Impress
Work attire continues to change over the years and varies by industry.
We always recommend that 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. You don’t want to sound like you are reading a script, but you do want to sound prepared and confident.
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 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.
Need assistance with your resume? You can have your resume critiqued by the Career Center during our drop-in hours (Mon-Fri from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM) or by your school-based career services office. Cover letters are not necessary at a career fair.
Know What to Expect the Day Of
Be prepared to wait in line, be patient, and be respectful.
Focus on your top employers, but be prepared for the possibility that you may not see them. Be sure to keep an open mind to employers not on your list. For example, a healthcare company may not only be looking for health science majors – it may also have openings in finance, data analytics, and management.
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.
Meeting with a recruiter is a great way to become familiar with their recruiting process and best practices to keep in mind when applying. This is also the perfect time to find out if the employer is the right fit for you.
Questions you can ask recruiters include:
- 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.
Don’t let this be the last point of contact they have with you, especially if you plan to apply for the organization’s open opportunities. 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 if they share this information with you.
View this helpful article on using thank-you notes to boost your network.
Lastly, be yourself and be curious. With the right preparation and professionalism, you will be sure to impress employers.
Good luck during the recruiting process, Trojans!
