The Internet can sometimes feel like a black hole when it comes to applying for a job. When it’s just text on a computer screen, submitting a job application online can simply put a student’s name on a long list of similarly qualified candidates. How can a student stick out?

Despite the countless resources and means of connecting people the Internet offers, in-person communication is still important. That’s why the University offers so many opportunities for career networking, one of the most important being career fairs.

Career fairs are venues for students to not only learn about the companies that are looking to hire, but also market themselves and their specific skill set to potential employers. They bring in as many as 100 to 150 recruiters to campus who are interested in hiring University students so that students have the opportunity to engage with multiple employers in person in order to build relationships that will help them in the job market.

Research is key to success at a career fair. Katie Flint, assistant director of employer connections at the Career Center, works with both students and employers to coordinate employment efforts on campus. Students should compile a list of five to 20 companies that are offering a position aligned with their career aspirations, Flint said. Being able to ask specific questions about a company and its open position at the fair will go a long way.

“The biggest pet peeve we hear from employers is that students come up to them and say things like, ‘Well, what do you do?’ or ‘What are you about?’” she said. “That automatically is going to take you off an employer’s list.”

Another important aspect of making a good first impression is the dress code. A student should dress business professional, said Zelda Gardner, senior assistant director at the Career Center. Whether that is a suit for men or skirt suit for women, students need to “dress to impress when they attend career fairs.”

Students should come equipped with several copies of their resume to hand out, along with a portfolio to organize business cards, contact information and notes they may take down during conversations with recruiters, Flint said.

Jennifer Neef, associate director for career connections at the Career Center, addressed things students shouldn’t bring to a career fair. Students should avoid bringing a big backpack, use coat check when possible and find a place to stash any giveaway items they may collect at the fair. Holding extra items can make students look unprofessional.

When approaching a recruiter, students should also prepare an “elevator pitch,” or a one- to two-minute speech about their personal information, their interest in a specific job position and the skills they can bring to the company. The main point students should get across is sincere interest in a position, Neef said.

Flint advised incorporating plans of action into conversations with recruiters as well. When doing research beforehand, students should fill out online applications, if available, so they could be used as a talking point at the fair. She also advised students to ask questions about the company’s hiring process and contact information.

After attending a career fair, students should be proactive about contacting the employers with follow-up emails to further communicate their interest in a position with specific references and questions.

“Things like ‘I had a great conversation with you at the career fair’ is not specific enough, because many of these recruiters are going from fair to fair to fair,” Neef said. “So students need to be really specific — ‘I had a great conversation at the University of Illinois Business Career Fair on Wednesday.’”

Career fairs are great opportunities for upperclassmen to speak with future employers but can also provide learning experiences for underclassmen. While some companies may not be interested in underclassmen, others do offer internships and other employment opportunities. At the very least, attending career fairs early will help students become comfortable in the environment, learn more about the type of companies that attend career fairs and get a head start on networking.

“There are not many freshmen or sophomores that go, and so those that do — those that can deliver a nice message about their professional goals — recruiters are going to remember year after year,” Neef said.

To begin the career fair process, students can start by looking up the companies that will be attending future career fairs through I-Link, the career services management system. I-Link can also be used as a resource for job and internship postings, interview scheduling and other career networking opportunities.

The Career Center also offers career fair workshops and a resume review service to help students perfect their material for the upcoming fairs. On Jan. 29 and 30, the Engineering Career Services Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the Business Career Fair will be held from noon. to 4 p.m. The All-Campus Career Fair will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 3.

“If you honestly see a company that you’re in interested in applying, it doesn’t matter what the career fair is titled — go and talk to that company because they’re open to all students,” Flint said. “The more you can use the resources at your disposal while you’re here at Illinois, it’s just going to increase your chances of finding something.”

Sarah can be reached at [email protected].