Fall Recruiting (Job and Internship) Fair

Event Details

When: Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023 | 12-3:00 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center
WHO: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Registration is required to attend.

Transportation is provided.

Departing Campus at: 11:15 a.m.
Returning to Campus by: 2:45-3:00 p.m. (Departing Convention Center at 2:00 p.m.)

Explore & Register

The Minnesota Private College’s Fall Recruiting Fair is is designed to connect students to job and internship opportunities with employers who who recruit early in the fall semester. These employers recruit for a relatively narrow band of business roles, including: business analysis, management consulting, finance/banking, accounting, actuarial science, data science/statistics, sales, technology, certain healthcare analyst roles, and other miscellaneous positions. (Summer internship positions are often available in a broader range of functional business areas.) Employers recruiting at the fair are typically large corporate organizations who are able to consistently predict their bulk hiring needs in advance.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend a prep session.
Note: Most employers are choosing to attend the in-person fair.
To cancel your registration, please do so directly in Handshake You may also email Bryan Shealer at shealer @ stolaf.edu.
Once registered, all communication about the fair will be through Handshake e-mail. Check your messages regularly, and watch for important information.
Important Note: It is the student’s responsibility to notify professors as early as possible about an expected absence from a class for the fair. It is at instructors’ individual discretion to determine how such absences will be handled.

Why Should I Attend?

By attending the Job Fair, you will have the opportunity to network with 30+ Minnesota, regional, and national companies. The employers present at the event will be actively recruiting for jobs and internships. Other employers may anticipate hiring in the next six months. No matter what an organization’s objectives may be, as an attendee, you can take advantage of speaking with recruiters from a variety of different industries to learn how your career goals may fit with their hiring needs.

Meeting with employer representatives is strongly encouraged to help you stand out as a candidate. Employers are far more likely to consider candidates with whom they’ve made a personal connection. Connecting directly to employers will also give you the chance to identify and discern which opportunities are the best fit for you.

Prepare for the Fair

1. Attend ONE of the following prep sessions:

RECRUITING SHOWCASE AND FALL RECRUITING FAIR PREP SESSIONS

Attend a Prep Session to hear an overview of both the Fall Showcase and the Fall Recruiting Fair – how to prepare, and tips for getting the most out of the events.

Tuesday, September 12 | 3-3:45 p.m. | VIA ZOOM
Wednesday, September 13 | 4-4:45 p.m. | VIA ZOOM

2. Prepare your resume. A resume is required for your Brazen profile.

Start early; a good resume is created over multiple drafts.
The Piper Center Resume Guide is a useful resource.
Start by meeting with a peer advisor in the Piper Center and then you can meet with a Piper Center coach for a final review.

3. Attend the Fall Recruiting Showcase on Tuesday, September 18, 2023.

Select alumni and friends of the college will share insight, provide tips, and give advice on how to put your best foot forward with the employers participating in on campus recruiting and/or attending the fair.

4. Review the On-Campus Recruiting (OCR) Page.

Review all OCR opportunities currently posted in Handshake.
Understand how to engage with the employers and opportunities available during the fall recruiting season.
Review the OCR participation policies for students.

Top 10 “Must Dos” for a Successful Fair

1. Update Your Resume
Bring plenty of copies to the in-person fair and upload your final version to the virtual version in Handshake. Remember that your resume should be clean, concise and up to date. Always convert your resume to a PDF; double-check the PDF document once you have converted it to make sure it is appearing as you intend.

2. Research Companies
Prior to the Fall Recruiting Fair, access the list of employers on the MNPC Fall Fair Website (in-person) or Handshake (Virtual) and pick 5-10 companies that interest you most and another five that may be a second tier interest. Research these companies thoroughly and effectively through employer websites, online newspapers, business journals, LinkedIn, and social media. This will help guide your inquiries and allow you to highlight your related skills.

3. Create a Calendar Reminder
Events can always slip your mind. Set calendar reminders for the day before and two hours before.

4. Prepare Your Introduction
Prepare a quick introduction about yourself that is approximately 30 seconds long. The introduction may include details about your education, work experiences, relevant skills and future goals. Use the Piper Center How-To Guides and the Benefit Statement Guide to help you prepare. Your introductions should be between 30-40 seconds long.

5. Dress Appropriately
Employers at this event will expect business professional dress – for both the in-person and virtual fairs. You will also feel energized and ready for the fair by dressing as if you will be attending an in-person event. Not sure what to wear? Review the professional dress guide for initial information. The Piper Center welcomes any students who are unsure about appropriate dress or who may have individual question to speak with a coach through an appointment or email.

6. FOR VIRTUAL FAIR: Have Your Application Materials in Order and Test Your Internet and Video Connections
Have your resume and any other documents you may need uploaded and available on your computer desktop for easy access. Ensure that your internet connection is functioning and that your audio/video is working properly.

7. FOR VIRTUAL FAIR: Identify Where You Will “Attend” the Fair
Think about where you will be during the virtual fair. Ensure the location is quiet, free of distraction (expected or unexpected!), has a professional looking background, and is well-lit. You may even wish to test your spot to make sure that you appear as professional as possible.

8. Keep Organized
Organize your company information and your contact information. Create a spreadsheet or document where you can easily input information about the connections you make or the companies to which you submitted your resume.

9. Send Thank You Notes
Within 24 hours of the event, send concise and well-written thank you emails to all individuals that you made contact. Thank them for their time and, if appropriate, communicate your excitement for the role and why.

10. Determine Next Steps
Did the recruiters ask you to formally apply for a role? Perhaps you were asked to take an assessment? Or sign up for a first-round interview? Make sure that you follow-through on what was asked of you as soon as possible, typically within 24-48 hours of the event. This is also a good time to reflect on how networking might help you learn more about an employer or opportunity. Ole alumni and Piper Center staff can be great resources to help you prepare to put your best foot forward with the hiring process.