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.
  

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.