Prepare ahead of time for the fairs to make sure you get the most out of your experience. This page will provide you with some resources and tips to help you get started.
You can view all upcoming career fairs at UW-Madison on Handshake.
Fair Prep Events
Check back here for Spring 2025 Fair Prep Events!
We’re here to help you get ready for the Fair! Whether it’s your first time attending a career fair or you are a seasoned pro, you can use the resources on this page or attend relevant events listed here for help preparing for the fairs.
Career Fair FAQ
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What should I wear to the career fairs?
We encourage students to wear business casual attire. A full suit isn’t necessary (unless you want to wear one)!
Which fairs should I attend?
View the descriptions, attending employers, and job roles listed for each fair to determine whether it might be of interest to you. You are encouraged to attend as many fairs as you’d like!
The all-campus Career & Internship Fair will have employers representing a wide variety of industries and job roles, while other fairs might be more specific to certain industries or organizations. Learn more from the Fair descriptions on the main page and view attending employer information on Handshake.
Do I need to register to attend the Fairs?
For the in-person all-campus Career & Internship Fair, registration is not required, but it’s a good idea to review the fair in Handshake to learn more about the attending employers.
For virtual fairs, you will need to register in advance and sign up for sessions with employers via Handshake.
Are first year students able to attend career fairs?
Yes! First year students can attend to learn more about companies and potential job opportunities. Employers that are open to meeting with first year students will be marked at the fair.
Before the Fairs
Before the fairs, do some research on the employers who will be attending and think about which employers you’d like to meet with and learn more about. Write down two or three questions you would ask a recruiter. Below are some sample questions you might want to ask.
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Sample Questions to Ask Employers
- What skills or traits do you look for in candidates?
- What is your company’s hiring timeline?
- What are some of the key responsibilities of this job/internship?
- What is a typical career path for someone coming in at my level?
- What kind of training program does your organization have? Formal/Informal? Short term/Long term?
- What is a day like in this position?
- What type of formal education is required for entry-level, mid-level, upper-level, positions?
- Do people filling this type of position work in a structured or non-structured environment?
- How is performance evaluated? How often?
- What degree of task variety would a person see in their first year?
- What opportunities did you take advantage of while you were in college to help you prepare for your job?
- How much client contact do you have?
Career Advising
Need to do a deeper dive into your career exploration? Meet with a Career Advisor before the Fairs! Schedule a 1:1 appointment by clicking on the link below with your respected School or College:
College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Don’t see your school/college listed? Go here to view all career services at UW-Madison.