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Job fairs can be a fantastic opportunity for Michigan students and recent graduates to secure internships, especially in a competitive job market. With industries like automotive, healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing booming in Michigan, job fairs offer a chance to connect directly with hiring managers and recruiters, making it easier to stand out and find the right internship. Here’s how to make the most of job fairs in Michigan to land that valuable internship experience. 1. Do Your Research on Michigan Companies Job fairs in Michigan often attract a diverse array of companies, from major industry leaders to growing tech firms and startups in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids. Before attending, research the companies that will be present. Many job fairs provide an online list of participating employers. Use this list to learn about the companies and identify those that align with your career goals. For example, if you’re interested in a tech internship, focus on companies from Michigan’s tech sector, like Duo Security in Ann Arbor, Rocket Companies in Detroit, or Acrisure in Grand Rapids. For healthcare opportunities, you could prioritize companies from Grand Rapids’ healthcare network like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Corewell, and Trinity Health, or Henry Ford Health in Detroit, as well as Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor. Some great information about leading industries in Michigan can be found in the Industry section of The Michigan Life website . You’ll find some of the key employers in Defense/Aerospace, Semiconductor, EV & Mobility, Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Life Science & Medical Device, Outdoor Products, as well as Professional, Corporate, Engineering, Design & Development industries. 2. Prepare a Standout Resume A well-crafted resume is essential. Tailor your resume for the internship roles you’re seeking, highlighting any relevant coursework, projects, or volunteer work that demonstrate your skills and readiness for the role. Be mindful of how you list past experience and previous work positions. Look at how job postings for positions you are applying for are categorizing the position. Align the experience and skills you gained to the types of categories that companies are looking for.  For example, your title might have been Project Lead for a past position you held as an electrical engineering intern. Use Electrical Engineering Intern as your position title and then list the fact that you were the project lead, what work you did, and the skills you learned there. This will help recruiters and ATS platforms pick up your experience and roles faster and align them better with what those roles might be called in their organization. This will also help any platforms that use AI matching for skills and experience on your resume to specific job postings. 3. Dress Professionally and Make a Good First Impression Job fairs are an opportunity to make a professional impression, so dress in business or business-casual attire. While many attendees are students or recent graduates, showing up in polished attire shows that you’re serious about the opportunity. Some recruiters mention that they notice everything about a student or recent graduate’s appearance from whether their shirt is pressed to if their shoes are clean. In most cases, they are not as concerned with whether a candidate was wearing a suit or not, but whether their attire looked clean, pressed, and polished. Remember to bring plenty of copies of your resume and a notebook and pen to take notes. Some job fairs, especially those in large cities, will be large events, so it’s easy to feel like you might be able to make some good connection. But it only takes one good connection to get a great offer, so it’s worth preparing as if each event is the one where you might be meeting your next manager or the person making the decision on whether you get hired or not. Be sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and accurately reflects your current experience level and year in school, if applicable. LinkedIn offers a bar code capability so you can quickly and easily connect to recruiters or staff as an alternative way to getting contact information. 4. Practice Your Elevator Pitch Recruiters at job fairs meet dozens of candidates, so a strong elevator pitch can make you memorable. Your pitch should be a brief introduction of who you are, what you’re studying, your relevant skills, and what type of internship you’re looking for. Here’s an example for a Michigan job fair: “Hi, my name is Emily, and I’m a junior studying mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan. I’ve gained hands-on experience through coursework in automotive design, and I’m looking for an internship in Detroit’s automotive sector to deepen my skills. I’m passionate about the move to more sustainable energy solutions, and I’d love to learn more about opportunities with your company.” 5. Ask Questions to Show Interest and Stand Out Don’t just talk about yourself; ask questions about the company and the internship roles they offer. Thoughtful questions show that you’re genuinely interested in the organization, and they can also provide insights into the company culture and expectations for interns. Something like, “I read on your company’s LinkedIn page that you are organization partners with a local school to help students learn about STEM careers. I’d love to learn more about that program and whether interns can participate in that initiative.” Ask questions that connect to Michigan-specific projects or locations, such as, “I’ve read that your company has five locations in Michigan that hire interns. Can you tell me a little more about what types of projects teams work on at your Ann Arbor facility?” or “Could you tell me how your company supports the professional growth of students in the intern program?” 6. Follow Up with Recruiters After the fair, make sure to follow up with any recruiter you connected with. Send a thank you email expressing appreciation for their time and reiterate your interest in an internship. When emailing, mention something specific you discussed, which will help them remember you. For instance, “Thank you for speaking with me at the University of Michigan job fair. I appreciated learning about the sustainable automotive projects your team is working on in Detroit, and I’d be thrilled to contribute through an internship.” 7. Attend Michigan-Specific Job Fairs Michigan hosts numerous job fairs specifically aimed at connecting students with internships and entry-level roles. Fall, winter and spring events like the University of Michigan’s Career Center Fairs, Michigan State University’s Career Services Network Fairs, MTU’s Career Fairs, Wayne State’s Career Fairs and bring in top employers from across the state. These fairs are tailored to students and are a great way to meet recruiters who are actively looking to hire interns. Start with your school’s Career Services office to find out when the job fairs are held. Note: Many of the higher education institutions hold a wide variety of career fairs throughout the year, starting in mid-September. Don’t wait until January or February to start your search. Many colleges and universities will hold career fairs by colleges or departments (example: Engineering, Health Sciences, etc.). Be sure to ask about specific industries and career verticals that you are interested in. A list of all the higher education institutions in Michigan can be found on The Michigan Life website’s Higher Education page in the Quick Links. Additionally, look for local events like Ann Arbor SPARK’s Tech Homecoming (held Thanksgiving week each year) or Mid Michigan’s Coming Home event (during Central Michigan’s University’s Homecoming weekend). Lansing Link Up, usually held in July in the Lasing area, is another great opportunity to connect with employers about internships. And lastly, look for career-specific events like Engineering Society of Detroit’s Link in the D event in July (for engineering students and recent graduates), as well as their Engineers Get Hired event in October.   Final Thoughts Job fairs are one of the best ways to connect directly with Michigan’s top employers and secure a valuable internship. By preparing ahead, making a good impression, and following up after the fair, you’ll put yourself in a strong position to land an internship that can open doors to your future career. No matter what part of the state you are interested working in, attending job fairs with a strategy will help you make meaningful connections and stand out to recruiters.

Behavioral interviews are a critical component of the hiring process, especially in competitive job markets like Michigan’s. Many Michigan employers use behavioral interviews to evaluate candidates’ problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and adaptability—skills that align with the state’s diverse industry demands. Mastering the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can help you ace these interviews by providing clear, concise, and compelling answers that highlight your experiences and accomplishments. Understanding the STAR Method The STAR method is a proven framework for structuring responses to behavioral interview questions. Here’s a breakdown of the method: Situation: Begin by setting the stage with context. Briefly describe a specific situation relevant to the question. Task: Explain your responsibility or goal within that situation. Action: Detail the steps you took to address the situation or complete the task. Result: Share the outcome. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to make a strong impression. Using this format helps organize your answers and keeps you focused, ensuring your response is relevant and impactful. Now, let’s look at how you can use STAR to tackle common behavioral questions asked by Michigan employers. 1. Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills In Michigan’s job market, employers—particularly in Michigan’s advanced manufacturing sectors and biotech industry—look for candidates who can navigate challenges with resourcefulness. For example, a hiring manager might ask, “Tell me about a time you faced an unexpected problem at work.” Using STAR, you could respond: Situation: “In my previous role as a production supervisor, we encountered a sudden supply chain delay that threatened to halt production.” Task: “My task was to find an alternative solution quickly to prevent costly downtime.” Action: “I immediately reached out to local suppliers in Michigan to find available materials and negotiated expedited shipping to bridge the gap.” Result: “Thanks to this quick action, we kept production on schedule, saving the company $15,000 in potential losses and maintaining client satisfaction.” This response shows initiative and problem-solving skills, which are highly valued in Michigan’s industries. 2. Showcase Teamwork and Collaboration Michigan employers value teamwork, especially in sectors like healthcare, tech, and manufacturing, where cross-functional collaboration is essential. A common question you might face is, “Describe a time you worked as part of a team to achieve a goal.” Here’s an example answer using STAR: Situation: “In a previous role at a healthcare organization in Grand Rapids, we were tasked with improving patient intake efficiency.” Task: “As part of a team of five, my role was to analyze bottlenecks and recommend improvements.” Action: “I organized meetings with different departments to understand their needs, then suggested implementing a digital intake form to streamline paperwork.” Result: “Our efforts reduced patient wait times by 30%, enhancing the patient experience and increasing our capacity to see more patients each day.” By structuring your answer this way, you emphasize your ability to work collaboratively and achieve tangible results—qualities Michigan employers prioritize. 3. Emphasize Adaptability and Initiative Michigan’s economy is dynamic, especially in tech hubs like Ann Arbor , Grand Rapids , and Detroit . Employers appreciate candidates who can adapt to change and take initiative. If asked, “Tell me about a time you had to adapt to a significant change at work,” here’s how you could respond: Situation: “As a project manager for a tech startup in Ann Arbor, our primary software provider unexpectedly ceased operations, leaving us without a critical tool.” Task: “I needed to quickly find an alternative platform to prevent project delays.” Action: “I researched potential providers, scheduled demos with team leads, and coordinated a rapid transition to a new system, all within two weeks.” Result: “This quick transition allowed us to stay on track with minimal disruption, and the new platform improved team productivity by 20%.” This example highlights adaptability and proactive problem solving, both crucial in Michigan’s evolving tech landscape. 4. Quantify Results to Leave a Strong Impression Regardless of the question, quantifying results strengthens your response. Michigan employers, especially in competitive fields, appreciate concrete metrics that demonstrate your impact. For instance, instead of simply saying, “I improved customer service,” you could say, “I implemented a feedback system that increased customer satisfaction scores by 25% over six months.” Final Tips for Success Practice out loud: Familiarize yourself with the STAR format by practicing out loud. Mock interviews can help refine your responses and build confidence. Be concise: Michigan employers value clear communication. Keep each part of your STAR answer concise and avoid unnecessary details. Focus on relevant experiences: Tailor your examples to Michigan’s industries. Whether you’re targeting roles in Detroit’s automotive sector, Grand Rapids’ healthcare industry, or Ann Arbor’s tech scene, align your answers with relevant job experiences. The State of Michigan uses behavior interviewing for some positions . Michigan Technological University offers interview skills for students and some suggestions for getting ready for potential behavioral interviews . Capital Area Michigan Works! Association (Lansing) provides a 24-page interview preparation packet and on page 13 and 14 you’ll find a list of some typical behavioral interview questions that you can use to prepare. Using the STAR method allows you to effectively showcase your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. With clear and structured responses, you’ll be well-prepared to impress Michigan employers and increase your chances of landing the job.   Generative AI technology was used in the creation of this content.  

Networking is an essential part of any job search, and in Michigan, it can open doors to opportunities across a range of industries, from the automotive sector and biotech to the state’s thriving startup ecosystem. Attending the right networking events in cities across the state, from Detroit and Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids and Traverse City, allows you to connect with professionals in your field, learn from industry leaders, and even discover job openings before they’re advertised. Eventbrite and Meetup allow you to search for Tech Events, Career Fairs, and Networking Events in specific Michigan regions and cities, while customizing your search for a specific industry, position, or interest.  You can also search on LinkedIn for Michigan Career Fairs, and Michigan Tech Events, as well as any specialty area. Here’s a list of some of the best networking events for job seekers in Michigan, catering to a variety of industries and interests. 1.      Ann Arbor SPARK Tech Homecoming Location : Ann Arbor Frequency : Annual, usually during the holiday season Why Attend : Ann Arbor SPARK’s Tech Homecoming is a unique networking event aimed at Michiganders who’ve left the state and are considering returning for a career in Ann Arbor’s tech industry. The event features local tech companies looking to hire and gives job seekers an insider’s view of Ann Arbor’s expanding tech sector. Who Should Attend : Tech professionals, software engineers, and those with a background in IT, data science, or product management. Additionally, there are career and networking events in many regions across the state, including: Detroit, Lansing, Flint, Mt. Pleasant, Saginaw, the Upper Peninsula, and Traverse City. More information can be found about these annual events on the Back to Michigan website . 2.        Grand Rapids Young Professionals (GRYP) Networking Nights Location : Grand Rapids Frequency : Monthly Why Attend : GRYP hosts networking events across the city, providing opportunities for early-career professionals to meet, connect, and learn about job openings in the Grand Rapids area. With a mix of informal and structured networking, GRYP events are an excellent way for newcomers to get involved in the local business community. Who Should Attend : Young professionals and recent graduates seeking roles in healthcare, manufacturing, business, and finance. You’ll find Young Professionals groups across the state :  Detroit, Flint & Genesee, Traverse City, Lansing, Kalamazoo. 3. Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Events Location : Lansing Frequency : Monthly Why Attend : The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts frequent events for its members and the general public. These include mixers, industry luncheons, and professional development workshops, often attended by business leaders from the capital region. The chamber’s events are an excellent place to connect with professionals from government, education, and private sectors based in Lansing. Who Should Attend : Job seekers in business, government, nonprofit, and administration roles. 4. Career and Networking Expos at Michigan State University and University of Michigan Location : East Lansing and Ann Arbor Frequency : Throughout the year Why Attend : Both Michigan State University and the University of Michigan hold career expos and networking events several times a year. These events draw a variety of employers who are eager to recruit talent from Michigan’s top universities. Alumni are often welcome, making it a prime opportunity to connect with companies looking to hire recent graduates as well as experienced alumni. Who Should Attend : Recent graduates, alumni, and students looking for internship or job opportunities across all industries.  5.   MichAuto Mobility Meetups Location : Detroit and Metro Detroit Area Frequency : Bimonthly Why Attend : Mobility Meetups, hosted by MichAuto, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (MEDC-OFME), and Plug and Play Detroit are designed to bring together dynamic startups in the automotive technology space with Michigan’s automotive and mobility industry stakeholders to connect, share, and collaborate. MichAuto hosts regular networking events that bring together Detroit’s entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals. Focused on personal and professional development, these events provide a relaxed setting to meet other local professionals, share advice, and discuss business ideas. Many attendees are open to mentorship, which can be invaluable for job seekers looking to establish connections in Detroit’s business community. ·       Who Should Attend : Job seekers interested in networking and connecting with a wide variety of individuals and organizations involved in Michigan’s mobility industry. Additional ideas: Check out Michigan associations relevant to the industry, or type of career you are interested in as many of these also offer events and networking opportunities.  Associations like the American Marketing Association - Detroit , the Association for Corporate Growth - Western Michigan , the Aerospace Industry Association , and Michigan Inforum , are just some of the many associations across the state that offer networking events. Tips for Making the Most of Networking Events Be Prepared : Bring business cards and be ready with a concise “elevator pitch” to introduce yourself and your career goals. Follow Up : After meeting someone new, follow up with a LinkedIn message or email to reinforce the connection. Ask Questions : Show genuine interest in others by asking questions about their careers and industries, which can help you build more meaningful connections. By attending these top networking events, you’ll gain exposure to Michigan’s diverse job market and create connections that can lead to new career opportunities. Whether you're in tech, business, healthcare, or manufacturing, there’s a networking event in Michigan that’s perfect for you.   Generative AI technology was used in the creation of this content.