How to Prepare:
For a successful Career Expo experience, we highly recommend that all Viterbi students review the tips below.
If you have any questions or would like to speak with a career advisor for further assistance, visit us today!
Attend VCC's Preparing for the Career/Internship Expo workshop on Thursday, September 26th, 2024, from 12:00-1:00 pm, where we discuss the best strategies for navigating the upcoming Career & Internship Fair! Learn how to improve your elevator pitch and make a targeted employer list. Bring your questions or come ready to learn from the career advisors.
- Research, Research, Research: Employers want to have in-depth conversations at the Career Fair, and they want students to know general information about their organization and openings before they meet them:
- Plan your Career Fair fit - Review the weather before the event (it is outside)
- Dress professionally when visiting organizations. Many students wear suits or button-down shirts/blouses.
- Update your resume using VMOCK and the Job & Internship Tool Kit.
- Prepare tailored versions of your resume to match certain positions you are interested in.
- Remember to bring multiple printed copies of your resume with you.
- Visit The Viterbi Career Connections drop-in hours for a resume review before the Career Fair.
- Drop-In Hours Schedule
- Recruiters often express concern that students approach them at career fairs without knowing about companies or job openings. Before visiting an employer, each recruiter recommends that you:
- Conduct research on the companies of interest- search for their mission, values, and goals. Look for the "About Us" section on their website. To know their opportunities, visit the organization's career page.
- Bring notes or use your phone to research while waiting to speak with a recruiter at a Career Fair.
- Pro tip: you can research an employer while waiting in line to meet them!
Day-of Career Fair Strategy:
- To make the most of your time at the career fair, review the employer list and see what employers are recruiting for.
- This means focusing on the booths that are relevant to your degree level, major, and sponsorship requirements.
- By doing this, you'll have more time to speak with recruiters who are more likely to be interested in hiring you. This will increase your chances of finding a job that's a good fit for you.
- Visit booths with shorter lines first.
- Rank employers by interest, and practice pitching to a few lower-priority ones.
- Budget your time wisely.
- Apply online before the fair, so recruiters can look you up and follow up with you.
Speaking to Recruiters:
- When starting a conversation with a recruiter, deliver your elevator pitch instead of a monologue. This allows the recruiter to ask questions and learn more about your skills and experience.
- Explain how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the position(s) they are hiring for.
- Gain further insights into becoming a top candidate by asking strategic questions.
- Take notes during your conversation. Ask the recruiter their preferred method for follow-up after an event. Remember always to ask the recruiter the best way to follow up.
After the Fair:
- The Career Fair is just the beginning of the conversation with employers. Remember to follow up and meet with recruiters or engineers you spoke to.
- Connect with the recruiters within 24-48 hours and remind them of who you are by mentioning specifics from your conversation. Thank them for the information provided.
- Example: I enjoyed meeting you at the USC Viterbi Career Fair yesterday! We had a great conversation about our shared love for League of Legends. I was wearing a purple blouse and am interested in the data science intern opportunity.
- Apply for open positions and expand your network on Viterbi Link, Trojan Network, and LinkedIn.
What companies will be attending the Expo?
Review the participating employer list by looking at the Career Fair Map (coming soon!) or the Handshake Career fair page.
How can I prepare for the Expo?
- Know what organizations are attending each of the Expo days.
- Review the Job & Internship Tool Kit for tips on crafting your resume and networking.
- Prepare a brief introduction (elevator pitch) when meeting with a recruiter.
- Arrive in professional attire (preferred), and be ready to talk about your key skills and experiences related to the position(s) you're interested in.
- Research and view each employer's profile. To make the most of the event, it is recommended that you choose to speak to employers who only recruit for your demographic.
What is the purpose of the Expo?
The Expo helps students not only land interviews for jobs and internships but also to:
- Explore less familiar employers and opportunities
- Learn about the wide range of company cultures
- Network with employers
- Articulate skills and interests in a professional recruiting setting
Where are the Expo activities located?
- Career & Internship Fair: Trousdale Parkway
- Recruiting Sessions: Zoom and On-Campus
- Product Demos: On-Campus
What is the difference between a Trojan Talk and a Demo?
Recruiting Sessions are 1-hour company information sessions hosted by employers to give you more information about them and their organization. They may collect resumes or share openings. Can be virtual or in-person.
Product Demos are 1-hour company presentation sessions in which an employer showcases a product or service they offer and answers student questions in a group setting. They may collect resumes. Are in-person on campus.
How can I RSVP for Expo activities such as Trojan Talks or Product Demos?
Students can RSVP for events via Handshake.
How many activities can I RSVP to?
Each student can RSVP for two Expo events, not including the Career & Internship Fair (no RSVP is required for the fair). Please RSVP only for the events that you will attend. RSVPing for events you do not plan to attend limits access to fellow Viterbi students.
Is there a waitlist for Expo activities?
Yes. The waitlist is created on the day of the event. Please come to the event location and join the waitlist.
Can I give my RSVP to a friend?
No. Spaces are non-transferable to keep reservations fair and equitable to all students.
What is the cancellation policy if I can no longer attend?
All cancellations must be made in writing to vcareers@usc.edu at least 48 business hours before the event. Any cancellations after that time will be considered a no-show. Your Handshake account will be flagged as having a no-show for this event. You may lose the privilege of RSVPing for future events with limited spaces if you accumulate additional no-shows.
How can I connect with employers beyond the Expo?
Viterbi Career Connections offers employer engagement opportunities throughout the year, such as:
- How To Get Hired Series
- Trojan Talks
- Mock Interviews
- Office Hours
- Panels
- Networking Events
- Resume Review Days
- Viterbi Trek
View calendars and information on Handshake, Career Connections blog, and the undergraduate and graduate student newsletters.
