Tips for Attending Professional Events
Professional events occur in a variety of ways across campus and within your field of choice. The tips provided in this resource are here to support you in attending events of many kinds, with special attention given to those Merrimack College hosts on a rotating schedule. We encourage you to seek out our events schedule when you’re ready to engage in these events.
The Internship & Career Fairs held each semester are the perfect opportunity to meet employers and alumni who are actively hiring. You do not need to be seeking a specific internship or job opportunity to attend and should attend as frequently as possible to expand your network. Many of the representatives in attendance serve as the primary recruiter for their organization and will be a point of contact for you in future job searches. It’s important to make a great first impression.
Before Attending
- Check Handshake for the companies who will be attending the Internship & Career Fair. Do a quick Google or LinkedIn search on the organization and draft questions you have to ask a representative at the event.
- Update your resume if you are actively searching for a position to give to recruiters. It is highly recommended that you print copies for each company you plan to speak with and a couple of extras. Printers are available in the McQuade Library while the Library is open.
- Determine what you should wear – it is typically recommended to go with business casual or business professional for most career fairs.
- Prepare your 30 second elevator pitch to utilize when you introduce yourself. Create a game plan for how many employers you would like to meet and even the order you may navigate the fair. If you have questions on how to do this – email the obriencenter@merrimack.edu.
Day of Event
- Make a name tag and put it on your right side at chest level – it is standard to put your name tag on your outermost layer that you will wear into the event space.
- Make use of the coat rack near the entrance to put your outerwear or backpack if you don’t want to carry it throughout the event. Consider a padfolio or folder to hold your notes or resumes.
- Visit a table with few or no students and introduce yourself to the representative. Use a firm handshake if you choose to shake hands. Ask them about the company or positions they are recruiting for. Be mindful of how long you speak with each representative to ensure you get your questions answered, but also allow other students to have the same chance.
- When you’re done speaking with a representative, make sure to thank them for their time. Get their business card or write their name down.
- Continue meeting new representatives around the room – seek out support from a career development professional as needed. Remember it’s okay to take a break and get some water.
- Once you’re satisfied with the companies you’ve met with – you’re ready to leave. Stop by the survey table to tell us about your experience.
After the Event
- Connect with professionals on LinkedIn or send them an email if they invite you to. Remind them how you met, ask questions about their career path or potential job opportunities at their company.
- Consider applying to open positions at their company.
- Keep an eye on your email for recruiters to reach out to you post-event if you left them your resume. Be sure to respond quickly to not miss an opportunity.
Part of becoming Career Ready is building your social capital, otherwise known as your network. You can build your network in many ways – but attending a Merrimack networking event is one quick way to meet many people at once. Folks in your network can support you in future internship and job searches, networking in the field and more.
Before Attending
- Think about who is already in your network – where you may have gaps that you want to fill with new individuals. Prepare your 30 second elevator pitch to utilize when you introduce yourself.
- Check for the list of attendees on Handshake – look up individuals on LinkedIn or discuss them with a faculty member. After researching – draft some potential questions to ask one or more of the attendees.
- Determine what you should wear – it is typically recommended to go with business casual or business professional for most networking events.
- Set one or more goals for attending – the specific information you plan to learn about, who you plan to connect with after the event, etc. Tell a friend who may be interested in attending with you!
Day of Event
- Arrive on time! You’re going to want to see the room and determine where to start. Ask questions to the career development staff in the room.
- Remind yourself of your goal(s) for the event and take notes as you meet new people. Collect business cards or ask to connect on LinkedIn
- Meet as many professionals as you can during the time you’re at the event – listen closely to their introductions to determine if there are specific people you should connect with.
- Follow the instructions to submit your feedback about the event.
After the Event
- Connect with professionals on LinkedIn or send them an email if they invite you to. Remind them how you met, ask questions about their career path or potential job opportunities at their company.
- Consider applying to open positions at their company.
Merrimack College hosts a variety of panel events throughout the year to support students in their career exploration. Panels typically feature three or more representatives discussing their career paths, potential routes for graduate school, the opportunities to build your personal network and more.
Before Attending
- Check for the list of panelists on Handshake – look up panelists on LinkedIn or discuss them with a faculty member. After researching – draft some potential questions to ask one or more of the panelists.
- Determine what you should wear – it is typically recommended to go with business casual or dressy casual for most career panels.
- Set one or more goals for attending – the specific information you plan to learn about, who you plan to connect with after the event, etc. Tell a friend who may be interested in attending with you!
Day of Event
- Arrive early! You’re going to want to get a good seat and hear each panelist introduce themselves.
- Remind yourself of your goal(s) for the event and take notes during the panel.
- Write down potential questions for the panelists based on the information they share during the event.
- Be willing to stay after the panel and introduce yourself.
- Follow the instructions to submit your feedback about the event.
After the Event
- Connect with panelists on LinkedIn or send them an email if they invite you to. Remind them how you met, ask questions about their career path or potential job opportunities at their company.
- Consider applying to open positions at their company.
Whether it’s your first site visit or your last, you’re going to need to prepare to meet an employer at their office. Site visits present a unique opportunity for students to see behind the scenes at a local employer – commonly meeting alumni or other staff, hearing about their day-to-day operations and more.
Before Attending
- Determine how you’ll get to the site visit – some visits will include van transportation from campus to the site. Other visits may require you to arrange your own transportation. Be sure to ask questions to your staff contact.
- Do a quick Google or LinkedIn search on the organization and draft questions you have to ask a representative at the event.
- Determine what you should wear – it is typically recommended to go with business casual or dressy casual for most site visits.
- Set one or more goals for attending – the specific information you plan to learn about, who you plan to connect with after the event, etc.
Day of Event
- Arrive early/on-time to your transportation and/or the site itself. Make sure to account for extra time for traffic or parking.
- Remind yourself of your goal(s) for the event and take notes during the visit.
- Write down potential questions for the representatives based on the information they share during the event.
- While eating, refrain from speaking with your mouth full and do your best to direct questions to someone between bites.
- Ensure you return to campus with the group or as planned using your own form of transportation. Communicate changes with your staff contact.
After the Event
- Connect with representatives on LinkedIn or send them an email if they invite you to. Remind them how you met, ask questions about their career path or potential job opportunities at their company.
- Consider applying to open positions at their company or asking them to job shadow in the future.
