Why should you attend?

• An opportunity to gather information about employers who hire McMaster students/alumni for a variety of positions, including: co-ops, internships, summer and full-time positions.
• A chance to research a company you may be interested in working for.
• Learn how your skill set will add value and about key qualifications/skills you could develop to enhance your marketability.
• A forum to talk with employers about their career paths
• To network and make contacts and begin to build relationships with employers. If you are early in your studies, it will enable you to have a head start when looking for employment.

Prepare your pitch

• Prepare your 30 second or less introduction. This is a “snapshot” of you that the representative can use to understand who you are, what you do and what you are looking for, including your interest in the company.
• Practice introducing yourself and get feedback. Be yourself.

When meeting potential employers, remember:

• Ask key questions that you have prepared. Ask about accommodation and disclosure if needed.
• Show that you are a good listener through eye contact. Give 100% of your attention to build rapport effectively.
• Present yourself positively and confidently.
• Do not use negative words to describe your previous employment experiences.
• Find out the hiring process for the company.
• Acknowledge timing. Check in with the representive, be specific and excuse yourself at the end the conversation to allow others a chance to connect. Obtain follow up information, if possible.
• After conversation ends, discreetly record details of your conversation to be used later in follow up.

This event is not being held for individual, formal interviews, but rather to allow important contacts with companies looking to hire McMaster graduates and/or students.

Craft your elevator pitch  

• Who are you?  
• Name, what you do or want to do.
• What are your strengths?  
• Relevant skills, experience and knowledge. 
• What are you seeking?  
• Indicate interest in their organization/industry and why. 

Conversation starters: 

You don’t need to always start with your elevator pitch, here are some examples of ways to initiate a conversation with company representatives at a Career Fair. 

Prepare additional questions  

Being curious and interested in the company, person and industry is a great way to keep the conversation going and to learn more to guide your job or career exploration. Adjust your questions based on who you are talking to. 

Additional resources

There are many benefits to networking: 

• Build professional networks that could support your career development now and in the future. 
• Learn about application processes, job opportunities and in-demand skills to help specify your job search. 
• Gain valuable insights into company culture and industry trends. 
• Learn real-life examples of how graduates from your program have used their degree and university experiences in the real world. 
• Continue improving your communication skills. 
• Increase your chances of landing an interview. 

Acknowledge that networking doesn’t always have an immediate impact 

It’s important to recognize that the benefits of networking don’t always happen right away. However, if you approach it thoughtfully, including preparation and follow-ups, networking can set you up for future opportunities. In some cases, McMaster students find jobs from networking job fairs! 

Take time to do your research and attend networking events 

When preparing for networking events like job fairs, take time to do your research about the companies, positions, industries and career paths you’d like to learn about. Remember, Connect to Careers Job Fair is happening March 5, 2024!  

For tips on how to prepare for career fairs and networking events, including how to introduce yourself, questions to ask and generally how to interact with employers, read Career Fair Preparation.  

If you want to practice your approach and talk about your skills, experiences, values and why you’re great, drop-by and say hi at our career pop-ups, happening every Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in PGCLL. You can also book one-on-one appointments on OSCARplus, under Student Success Centre > Appointments. 

If you need support overcoming barriers to networking and making career connections, email careeraccess@mcmaster.ca to learn about Career Access Professional Services (CAPS) and book an appointment (online or in person). 

Leverage McMaster networks to make connections 

Did you know you can find a mentor and sign up for career conversations through OSCARplus? Opportunities exist for one-on-one career conversations or long-term mentorship programs. You can explore career pathways, expand your network and gain more insight into the field you are interested in. Request a career conversation by visiting OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Mentorship and Career Conversations. Learn how to prepare and what to expect at a Career Conversation. 

The MacConnect is a database of McMaster alumni who are interested in helping members of the McMaster community succeed. Explore alumni profiles and easily set up an informational interview. For tips on how to conduct an informational interview, including how to prepare and what questions you might ask learn more about, visit Informational Interview tips.

Here are three main takeaways from the conversation.  

1. Make yourself known  

Aaron: “Being willing to take the time to get to know the people that you’ll work with is a huge value add to both parties.”  

Amanda: “Something that has always worked for me is really narrowing down what I want to do and being very clear on that…[set] goals within yourself, so that when you do reach out to someone, you’re not creating work for them. If you’re asking them questions and not providing any value at all, you’re not going to get an answer.” Amanda adds, “professors are human too, employers are human, they want to be able to establish a connection.”  

Linh was not as comfortable reaching out to professors when first beginning to network, so they reached out to McMaster alumni instead. Now, Linh says, “I really believe in the power of networking and making connections when looking for jobs, because that’s what makes you stand out as an applicant.”  

Dina: “[Your TAs are] good people to chat with, especially if you want [to connect with] people closer in age and experience, and you’re a bit intimidated by profs.”  

2. Don’t discount your experience  

Ryan did not hear back from any of the roles they had applied for, except for their current role as a Communications Assistant. “[I’d] done something in my past that was not necessarily on my previous resumes, but I put it on this one, and I suppose it stuck out. So, I got chosen for an interview. Every experience you have counts. [For the Communications Assistant Role] I helped my friend with his social media, and I put that on my resume.”  

Howard broadened their research position search by considering their transferrable skills. “I’m in physics, but I applied for mechanical and biomedical engineering roles, there’s a lot of cross-discipline that’s involved and related to your course of study, that you can go out and try and look for.”  

During an interview, Alexa’s professor said their experience as a lifeguard and swim instructor stood out above all their other experiences. “Don’t think that if you can’t get high ranking positions or research jobs, [that] your experience is less [than],” says Alexa. “Anything you can do will help build up your resume and also your character.” 

3. Rejection is normal  

Alexa applied for several student jobs at hospitals and did not hear back from any of them. “[Rejection] can make you feel like you’re not worth it and not good enough – that’s not true.” Alexa continued to search, and on a whim, decided to apply for the job they ended up securing. “Don’t give up,” says Alexa.  

On applying and not hearing back, Linh says, “If you get ghosted, move on… just like in relationships.”  

Dina’s application to a McMaster research centre was rejected when they applied in second year. Working for this centre was a goal of Dina’s, so when reapplying in third year, they approached the process differently. Dina talked to PhD students who worked in the research centre, and in starting the application process for a second time, “knew that [the centre] had a specific need [for] someone who could work with the cloud, and [with] data in general.” Dina crafted their application around that need and listed their relevant experience and research, as well as touchpoints they had with the team. Dina received a response from the team quickly and ended up working at the centre.  

“There’s always a chance that you can try again,” Dina says. “Focus on what you want to do and your path – hopefully [things] align at some point.”  

The best time to begin your summer job search is now.

We know career exploration and decision making can be complex. There are so many variables and considerations and some are in your control and some are not. But there is a process to help get some clarity and sense of direction that is both straightforward and messy. I know, not the most inspiring thing to hear but there is a way through that complexity and uncertainty!

Kerri’s recommendations:

• Participate in Career Planning Essentials: A free asynchronous program to help you reflect on your strengths, values and interests to helps you explore your options. Register on OSCARplus (listings are posted to the events calendar at the beginning of each month). Then, participate at your own pace on Avenue to Learn. 
• Try the Digital Challenge Cards: A quick and fun way to consider what is important to you. This can help you focus your energy and connect with courses, people, clubs and organizations that align with your priorities. 

All experiences count, including volunteering, community engagement and campus involvement, as well as extra-curricular activities, so be sure to acknowledge the value of each one in your applications. Transferrable skills gained from different areas will can be easy to recognize and understand. If you don’t land your dream job right away, that’s okay! Give it time to evolve into an opportunity to grow your skills and experiences.

Tanya Kett, Career Counsellor

Tanya’s recommendations:

• Learn from other peers on how they gained their experiences and get tips at events like the Summer Job Peer Panel (January 31). 
• We all know you should be on LinkedIn, but do you know why? Join the LinkedIn: Start Here! session (January 30) to learn more and make the most of your LinkedIn account.  Remember to check OSCARplus for more upcoming career webinars. 

Managing the emotional side of the job search is not talked about enough. Not hearing back from job applications can be tough. Embrace a growth mindset, be self compassionate and focus on the things you can control. Approach the job search by learning all you can about how to be most effective in your efforts.

Jillian Perkins-Marsh, Alumni Career Counsellor

Jillian’s recommendations:

• Participate in Job Search Essentials: A free asynchronous program that will give you the tools you need to know to land a job in this competitive landscape. Register on OSCARplus (listings are posted to the events calendar at the beginning of each month). Then, participate at your own pace on Avenue to Learn. 

January is an ideal time to start preparing for your summer job search and SSC has many resources and services to support you. If you’re not available to attend workshops or events, check out these resources when it’s convenient for you.

Vanessa Hayward, Career Development Advisor

Vanessa’s recommendations:

• Check out our Job Search page for application strategies.
• Visit OSCARplus / Student Success Centre / Employment / Job Postings for a range of summer job opportunities coming in daily. Tip: Go to Advanced Search and select Summer Employment to narrow down your list. Remember to check back regularly. 

How often have people asked you this with the expectation that you should have a clear, decisive answer? It’s okay if your response is, “I’m not sure yet!” The reality is, the pathways we take in our career and education journeys can be varied, unique and highly individualized.

They can also change over time. For example, there’s a good chance that your career ideas from when you were 16 are very different than the ones you have now. We learn and grow with our education and career journeys, and the world around us is adapting and changing, too.

The Chaos Theory of Careers (Pryor & Bright, 2011) recognized the need for encouraging flexibility, adaptability and planning, but with the realization that plans can change. Even the journey pace can vary, with people taking gap years, changing programs or navigating personal circumstances. All these factors (and more!) can impact our plans and how much time it takes to progress.

Making plans and taking action are like two sides of the same coin

Career planning isn’t just about having a plan. It’s also about intentionally taking action and building confidence to navigate your career and education journey with the many decisions and changes ahead of you. Small actions to explore, be curious and keep an open mind will help you maintain momentum when you experience uncertainty or feel like there’s no clear path.

• Try joining a new MSU club.
• Meet with a career counsellor and complete a career assessment.
• Use self-directed resources like Career Planning Essentials on Avenue to Learn or the Challenge Cards tool.
• Explore and apply for opportunities for mentorship, volunteering and more on OSCARplus.
• And more!

There are so many actions you can take — that’s why we developed a resource to help.

Get inspired and keep track using the Career Planning Notebook

The Career Planning Notebook is a tool you can use to guide your career planning actions. With recommendations to help you reflect, explore, connect, develop and navigate, you might be amazed at how even the smallest activities can help you build toward the future you want — even if it’s not so clear.

Download the Career Planning Notebook to get started. If you have questions or need support at any time during the process, our career counsellors are here to help. Book personalized one-on-one appointments on OSCARplus (under Student Success Centre > Appointments > Career Counselling and Job Search Coaching).

It’s common for job fair attendees to leave the fair thinking that employers they met will follow up with them. However, successful job seekers take initiative and maintain their new professional connections in the days and weeks after the fair. Check out these tips for guidance.

How to follow up over email

Following up with employers will show them that you’re proactive and truly interested in the opportunity to work with them.

When you contact a representative, provide your name, school, program, where you met the individual and why you are contacting them. Remember to include your contact information. Also, use a professional email address, such as your McMaster email. (We’ve all had our share of bad email names — but employers want to hire you, not hockey_fan98@yahoo.com.)

How to connect on LinkedIn

Visit your new contact’s profile and send your request to connect. If you’re using a laptop or desktop computer, you’ll be able to add a note to your request (this option isn’t available on the mobile app). We recommend you reference something from your conversation at the fair and thank them for their time.

It’s also a good idea to follow the company or organization on LinkedIn and other social media to stay informed.

It’s time to apply

If you haven’t already, it’s time to submit your application online — especially if the recruiter or representative has requested that you do so. In your cover letter or somewhere in the application, make sure to mention that you connected with (insert name of representative) at a recent job fair (provide the date and name of the fair). Also, include something you learned about the company or role as a way to show that you’re genuinely interested.

Expanding your network

If a representative provides you with a referral for an informational interview or another opportunity, follow up with the new contact promptly and arrange a way to connect. After the informational interview, message the representative who sent the referral to thank them and let them know how it went.

If you don’t gain any new contacts through referrals, don’t worry. Try the MacConnect to find professionals in your field or at your organization of choice. It’s easy to find new contacts and set up an informational interview.

Continue to develop your professional skills

The connections you make at job fairs aren’t always going to result in job offers, and that’s okay. This doesn’t mean that you aren’t making progress in your job search — networking and effective communication are important skills that all employers value.

Keep up the momentum by reviewing your job search strategies, improving your resume and cover letter and asking for advice and guidance when you need it.

Attend an online workshop or session: Check OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Events for career and experience-building workshops, company information sessions and more.

Plus, the connections you make through networking can open the door to unexpected opportunities in the future. And when it comes to job searching, the more opportunities and connections, the better — especially during a global pandemic.

For Dana, a fourth-year Social Science (Political Science) student at McMaster, attending the 2020 Connect to Careers Job Fair helped her discover the reality of networking: establishing connections and maintaining relationships with employers will pay off in the end.

We chatted with Dana to learn more about her experience at Connect to Careers and her perspective as a job seeker during COVID-19.

Note: The 2020 Connect to Careers Job Fair was an in-person event, as it occurred before COVID-19 restrictions were put in place. In 2021, Connect to Careers is taking place virtually.

What was your goal in attending Connect to Careers in 2020? Did you do anything specific to prepare?

When I attended the Connect to Career Job Fair, my primary goal was to approach companies that I had previously applied to and to meet new potential employers. To prepare, I went to the Connect to Careers website and checked which companies were attending. After finding out which companies were attending the fair, I made a list of the specific jobs I had previously applied to, information about that company, and some things I particularly liked about the company. Additionally, I made sure to print out several copies of my resume to provide to employers. In doing so, I was able to approach employers and introduce myself and inform them that I had applied to their company, and explained why I was particularly interested in the position and the company.

What happened at the fair? How many employers did you chat with? Tell me a little bit about your experience.

At the fair, I approached companies that I had previously applied to, and made sure to connect with these employers on LinkedIn. Also, I approached companies that I had not applied to and made sure to introduce myself and provide them with a copy of my resume. In doing so, I ended up chatting with more people than I had anticipated and had made some really great connections along the way. 

What was your approach to following up with employers after the fair?

After the fair, I made sure to connect with the employers I met on LinkedIn. When connecting with the employers, I made sure to include a message which introduced myself and provided the employer with some specific details about the conversation we had. When messaging an employer on LinkedIn, I believe it is important to include something in your message about a particular topic you talked about, this will make it easier for them to remember you. Additionally, in the message, I told the employer that I would love to stay in touch and learn more about the possible job prospects at their company. 

How did COVID-19 impact your job search process after the fair? If you encountered any barriers or challenges, how did you overcome them?

At first, it was difficult to adjust to the idea of no in-person contact. However, I feel like the COVID-19 pandemic had pushed me to make new connections on new avenues, particularly LinkedIn. Since the pandemic, I have become more active on LinkedIn, a site I wish I had used more before the lockdown. I believe that LinkedIn is a great way to connect to new employers and a great way to stay in touch with many employers, especially for individuals who may be less confident to approach an employer.

For example, I met an RBC representative at the fair. After the fair, I connected with him on LinkedIn and discussed the possibility of a job interview. However, due to COVID-19, the interview never occurred. About a month ago, I messaged him again on LinkedIn and asked to stay in contact. He ended up asking me for my resume and referred me for a job interview. Although I still have not been hired to work at RBC, attending the Connect to Career Job Fair has opened up a possible job opportunity, which I do not believe that I would have secured otherwise.

After attending Connect to Careers, did your perspective on job fairs or networking change? Or your approach to job searching? If so, how?

[Connect to Careers] was my first career fair. I enjoyed attending the fair as I believe that I have strong communication skills. I think the fair has shown me the value of networking, which is a skill I never truly utilized in the past. I believe the fair is a great opportunity to show employers your true personality, which is very difficult to do in a resume, especially when competing with hundreds of other applicants.

Do you have any advice for fair attendees this year? Or job seekers in general? Your McMaster community would love to know!

One tip I have is to be persistent. The connections you make at the career fair should not be temporary connections, instead, you should try to stay in touch with these employers. Try to stay active on LinkedIn and like their posts, they will notice. Maybe down the line you can message them again and land yourself an interview. Just don’t give up and stay persistent!

Have you registered for Connect to Careers?

This year, the fair will take place virtually on March 3, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Helpful resources to support your job search

Digital Skills Series (videos)

Tip sheets (PDFs)

Most notable this year is a new Connect to Careers app that allows job seekers to favourite employers they want to meet and filter organizations by opportunity type. This app is free to download.

Here are some other ways McMaster University will support students and alumni as they get ready for the fair, taking place on Thursday, March 5, 2020:

• The Student Success Centre will host Connect to Career prep workshops the week of February 24-28
• The Student Success Centre and Alumni Association are also hosting Get Career Ready, which includes resume reviews, networking and breakfast on March 3.
• Drop-ins are also available at the Student Success Centre (Gilmour Hall 110), Tuesdays to Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• A free shuttle service to and from the fair will be offered at McMaster University, starting at 9:30 a.m. on March 5, 2020. The shuttle will be available every 15-minutes.

Connect to Careers is Hamilton’s largest job fair, presented in partnership by McMaster University, Mohawk College, Redeemer University, Workforce Planning Hamilton and the City of Hamilton’s Economic Development.

Proud sponsors of the 2020 Connect to Careers Job Fair include: Pfaff Automotive Partners Inc. (dealership sponsor) ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada (gold sponsor); Isologic Innovative Radiopharmaceuticals, The JNE Group of Companies (silver sponsors); ATG Pharma Inc.,Cable 14, CAMA Woodlands Long Term Care Home, Genesis Support Services,Munvo Solutions and PNR RailWorks (bronze sponsors).

As Gisela Oliveira, associate director of careers and employment at the Student Success Centre shares, “Connect to Careers Job Fair is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students and alumni, and it only happens once a year. I strongly encourage students, at any point in their studies, to attend so that they can learn about different industries, what skills employers are looking for and to put a face on their application. Finding a job is about connecting with hiring managers and recruiters and at Connect to Careers Job Fair you can increase your network.”

To help students prepare, the Student Success Centre will be hosting a number of career sessions on campus during the final weeks of January as well as two Resume Blitz days. At the Resume Blitz, students and alumni can bring in their resumes for feedback from on-campus career experts.

These drop-in sessions will take place on January 30 and February 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in L.R. Wilson Lobby. No registration is required.

For the Student Success Centre, one of the most important takeaways for students and alumni is to keep an open mind about organizations and industries. “There are opportunities for everyone at this job fair,” says Gisela. “It’s important for students and alumni to broaden their search and diversify the types of industries they consider related to their studies. Organizations have many different roles that require a diverse range of skills and experiences.”

The Connect to Careers Job Fair will take place on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at FirstOntario Centre. Those attending the VIP hour can enter the fair at 10:00 a.m. There will also be a free shuttle bus available from McMaster University, operating on the half hour from Ivor Wynne Centre (IWC), starting at 9:30 a.m. The Student Success Centre will have a career staff available on the shuttle bus ride to answer questions and offer direction at the fair. 

Connect to Careers is Hamilton’s largest job fair, presented in partnership by McMaster University, Mohawk College, Redeemer University College, Workforce Planning Hamilton and the City of Hamilton. Proud sponsors of the 2019 Connect to Careers Job Fair include: Pratt and Whitney Canada (gold sponsor); Columbia International College (silver sponsor); Eco Waste Solutions (silver sponsor); JNE Group Of Companies (silver sponsor); Keyence Canada Inc. (silver sponsor); and Tigercat Industries Inc. (silver sponsor).

For a full list of organizations attending, visit the Connect to Careers Job Fair website.