Connecting with Candidates
UCSB students may behave like most other college students at a Career Fair. Some students may be incredibly driven and focused. Others may wander around for a while with a friend before deciding to leave. They may feel intimidated and nervous about starting a conversation with a stranger. Our office works hard to help students get the most out of this event. You, as the organizational representative, can do a great deal to generate interest in your organization and have meaningful conversations with our students as well. Below are a few tips that may help you be successful at the UCSB Job Fair.

Preparing
Set a goal and design your entire effort around that aim:

• Recruiting students for full/part time employment or internship positions.
• Sharing personal career information and typical steps to success.
• Introducing a new program or service.
• Enhancing image and gaining name recognition.
• Anticipate problems before the event--be prepared for anything (i.e., VCR doesn't work, need electrical extension cords, etc.).
• Take advantage of set-up times during the day - often, the best and most motivated students are waiting at the door and you don't want to be unpacking boxes when they walk by.

• A good exhibit is simply a stage for information exchange - you are the focus, not your exhibit
• When staff don't perform well, it's the booth that communicates.
• Your visual message should give even a casual observer a clear idea of what you do.
• 60% of a person's initial reaction is based on color: 80% choose blue as their favorite:
  • Blue = low key and low stress
  • Yellow = #1 attention grabber
  • Red = high energy
  • Green = comforting (unless its khaki)
  • Orange = cheap, inexpensive
  • Metallic = premium, pricey
  • Black = power
  • White = good buy

• It's personalities, not the display, that visitors remember.
• Make a good first impression - students will base their opinion of your organization on YOU. Staff must be very knowledgeable
• Know yourself, your position, your organization, and where students may fit into that entire scheme.
• Visitors are potentially long-term leads; don't expect an immediate "sale." Students will get turned off if you try a "hard sell" with them.
• Visitors prefer a short, overall view of what you have to offer.
• Ensure your exhibit is staffed at all times - like it or not, if you are absent, it "shows" you don't care.
• Avoid eating at your exhibit - it takes away from the "professional" look.
• Stand, don't sit, at your exhibit. Sitting in the chair behind your exhibit doesn't connote a sense of excitement and a welcoming atmosphere.
• Wear name tags prominently - we recommend that students try to get your name/title from them.
• Visit other exhibitors when your shift ends - it is a great way to meet other professionals in your field.

• Don't wait for visitors to approach you - be assertive, friendly and sincere.
• Ask passers-by friendly, open-ended, yet specific questions such as: "Are you interested a career in finance?" or "Do you want to put your communications skills to work in a great career?"
• Based on the response, you can separate leads from tire-kickers.

• 75% of Career Fair attendees want to see more demonstrations.
• Keep them short and simple, ideally 3 to 5 minutes.
• Students tend to remember what they visualize and participate in, rather than what they hear.

• Take brief, brisk walks to keep your feet and back from hurting - visit the refreshment table often!
• Negotiate for peace with neighbors that have noisy presentations - make it a win-win situation.