Career Expo

NOTE: Career fair registration is limited to employers who are hiring for full-time, degree-required positions and/or co-ops/internships. (Graduate schools see last bullet below.)

• Log in to Handshake with your official company email address
• Select Fairs from the left menu
• Search for Northern Kentucky University
• Select the specific career expo desired
  
• Click the blue Register button
• Complete the registration form and click the Create Registration button when finished
• Once your registration is approved by Career Services, you will receive an invoice with additional details on paying by credit card or submitting payment by check.
• Questions? Contact Lisa McElfresh at mcelfreshl1@nku.edu.
• If the specific Career Expo desired is sold out, and if you wish be be placed on the waitlist, register for the fair in Handshake by selecting the waitlist option.
  
• Graduate schools may request to schedule a table during lunch hours within the Student Union during fall/spring semesters.

Employers are required to submit payment prior to attending the career fair.  After registration, there are two ways to submit payment:

TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD:

• Once your registration is approved by Career Services, you will receive an invoice with a direct link to submit payment by credit card.
• We accept Discover, Visa, and MasterCard. Unfortunately, we do not accept American Express.  

TO PAY BY CHECK:

Make check payable to: Northern Kentucky University

Mail check to:

Career Services
Attn: Lisa McElfresh
Northern Kentucky University
Nunn Drive, University Center, Room 225
Highland Heights, KY 41099

NKU FEIN NO: 61-1010545

Cancellations and Refunds:

If your organization chooses to cancel or is unable to attend the career fair after registration, please submit notice in writing to careerservices@nku.edu at least 10 business days prior to career fair in order to receive a partial refund or other remedy. Cancellations after this date will not be eligible for a refund.

Late Payment Penalty:

Organizations with outstanding fees 30 days post-career fair will not be permitted to attend future career fairs until their account is paid in full.

No Shows:

Registered organizations that no-show for a career fair are expected to pay their registration fees in full. Organizations with outstanding fees 30 days after the career fair will not be permitted to attend future career fairs until their account is paid in full.

Career Fairs are a great way to build brand presence on NKU's campus!

Generation Z deeply values authenticity and connections. Your initial planning for the career fair will help your team form connections with candidates that best represent your brand as an employer-of-choice.

Before the fair (internal):

• Plan display, giveaways, handouts, business cards, name tags, etc.
• Develop your recruitment and hiring goals.
• Identify your career fair team of 2-3 representatives, which often includes recruiters, hiring managers, alumni, current interns/co-ops, etc.
• Collaborate with your career fair team to discuss strategy for communicating with candidates, attire, etc.    
  • Prepare questions to ask candidates and refresh your team on the answers to common candidate questions.
  • If you have new recruiters attending, it may help to practice career fair conversations and provide feedback.
  • Some students will approach your table because they are exploring career options and choosing majors/career paths. Don't miss this opportunity to make a great impression for long-term hiring!
  • Clearly articulate the best way for representatives to share candidate recommendations with appropriate channels after the fair.
  • Ensure all representatives are prepared to answer candidates' questions regarding next steps, follow-up timeline, etc.

Before the fair (connecting with NKU):

• If targeting specific majors, begin conversations/connections in the weeks before the event.  Examples:
  • Email faculty in that major to introduce yourself and describe your positions.
  • Contact major-related student organizations and offer to conduct a presentation about resumes, interviewing, career fair conversations, etc.
  • Ask NKU alumni (or current NKU interns/co-ops) within your organization to reconnect with current students, previous faculty, etc.
• Utilize Handshake to host virtual events leading up to the fair.
• Be sure your career fair profile and job postings in Handshake are up-to-date.
• Use social media to promote your upcoming career fair attendance - tag NKU Career Services and we'll be glad to like & share!

During the fair:

• Arrive in plenty of time to park, check in, set up your career fair table, and grab a refreshment.
• Speak to as many candidates as possible - even if that student doesn't fit your hiring needs today, creating an authentic connection can keep the door open for them in the future.
• Gather candidates' resumes and contact details; share your business card with candidates.
• Keep notes on candidates with whom you plan to follow up.
• Be prepared to answer candidates' questions about the organization, positions that have been advertised, etc.
• Let candidates know about the next steps. Transparency and communication are MAJOR factors in candidate satisfaction and feelings of authentic interest and connection.

We are committed to following all recommended health and safety guidelines. These measures are subject to change, as needed.

Health and safety measures include:

• Wearing face coverings is no longer required but masks are welcome
• Offering hand sanitizer
• Attendees will be notified of any additional measures as we get closer to the event
  

Those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should not attend the event.