Fall Career Fairs

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 fair
• 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. NOTE: No invoices will be sent until early July.
  
• Questions? Contact Lisa McElfresh at mcelfreshl1@nku.edu.
• Graduate schools may request to schedule a table during lunch hours within the Student Union during fall/spring semesters.
• If the fair is sold out, to be placed on the waitlist, register in Handshake and select "Waitlist." Doing this will also ensure you are on the invitation list for future career fair opportunities.  

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. Sorry, 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

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 alumni (or current 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.