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Career fairs are a fabulous way to meet employers in person. With the right preparation, you can demonstrate to an employer just how effective your skills and abilities are. Career fairs, however, can be pretty scary for jobseekers who don’t know what to expect. If someone has never attended a career fair before, this can cause uncertainty and worry. The truth is though, career fairs do not have to be scary. They are a great way to learn about new organizations, increase connections, and explore diverse industries and careers. So how does someone effectively prepare for a career fair? Do Your Research It is vital for you to do your “homework” and conduct research on the list of organizations that are going to be at the fair. You should take the time to target the organizations you want to speak with. Employers can tell when a jobseeker has conducted research on their company, and it makes you look well-prepared and informed. Conducting research will also allow you to have a valuable conversation with the employer. Check the company website, browse open positions, learn about mission and values, and better understand the services provided or the clients/industries that the company serves. Think about a list of topics for discussion. Some examples: academic or professional projects you have worked on, how the mission and value of the company aligns with your interests, and how previous work experience can fit open roles at the company. Lock Down Your Elevator Pitch An Elevator Pitch is key when you are introducing yourself to an employer. An Elevator Pitch is a 20-second introduction that gives the employer more detail about you. For a student this includes your name, academic major and degree, graduation date, (brief) comment regarding previous work experience, and what you are looking for at this career fair. Check out an example below: “Hello. My name is Tiffany Shamoon, a Chemistry major here at XYZ University. I am graduating in December of 2025 and looking to secure a full-time position. I have a passion for pharmaceutical research and upon research of your organization, I learned that this is one of the main areas your team focuses on. Currently, I work as a Lab Assistant for the university and have the privilege of working alongside faculty to research topics A, B, and C. It’s great to have the chance to meet you today!” As we all know, practice makes perfect! Students and jobseekers alike are encouraged to attend a future career fair to practice your elevator pitch out loud. Several times! You may even record the Elevator Pitch and play it back. This will allow you to listen to your communication skills and adjust anything that will make the pitch sound better. Better yet, try to find a friend or family member that you can practice the pitch with. Remember: an elevator pitch will change depending on the company and industry that you are speaking with. Send Thank You Emails Lastly, thank you emails are a small yet impactful gesture! You should be sending thank you emails the same day that the career fair took place. I tell my students to make notes of the conversation they had with each employer. Write down what stood out to you or just a couple things that made the conversation valuable. When a student or jobseeker sends a thank you note to an employer, they can add these comments. Sending thank you notes shows your appreciation for the time the company took out of their schedule to visit your campus and meet with you or participate in a community career fair.  Remember that companies/organizations are probably recruiting at several different colleges and universities as well as across geographies. This means that they are meeting with hundreds of different potential candidates. Sending a thank you note will help set you apart.  These three tips are important to make sure you make the most of your time at a career fair and will make the best impression on recruiters. Schedule your time ahead of the event to prepare, and after to follow up, and you will create a great impression that can move your resume to the top of the applicant list. Tiffany Shamoon was born and raised in Michigan. She has been employed at Lawrence Technological University (LTU) for the last 3.5 years as a Career Services Advisor. Tiffany focuses on equipping students with the tools and strategies they need to thrive in a competitive job market. This includes resume reviews, cover letter reviews, career fair prep, mock interview practice, and more. Tiffany also collaborates with employers from a diverse range of industries to help build brand awareness on campus and increase the recruitment pipeline for LTU students.  

Networking is an incredibly important skill to develop for your career, no matter whether you are just starting out with your first job or you are well on your way up the ladder in your profession. Networking is about developing your work-related tribe of colleagues. It’s about building connections for future collaboration, learning, business development, career opportunities, and access to a broader collection of companies and resources. A fair amount has been written about how to network strategically, how to develop your introduction, how to follow up, and how to be a great connector, but often the question is what organizations should I consider? Michigan has an abundance of great organizations offering many opportunities to network. Taking the time to join and become active in a variety of professional organizations will provide you with many benefits. Here are 26 organizations in southeastern Michigan ( Detroit Metro region ) that offer great networking opportunities, along with professional development, industry knowledge, and a great sense of community and Michigander pride. Note: some events are free, some require membership, and some will have organization and/or event fees. MichAuto Mobility Meetups:  https://michauto.org/mobility-meetups/ Black Tech Saturdays: https://www.blacktechsaturdays.com/events Michigan Council for Women in Technology: https://mcwt.org/events/ Network After Work Detroit: https://www.meetup.com/networkingafterworkdetroit/ Detroit Economic Club: https://www.econclub.org/meetings/ TechTown: https://techtowndetroit.org/events/ Sunrise Networking Group: https://www.sunrisenetworkinggroup.com/sng-events/ Inforum Michigan: https://www.myinforum.org/events Wayne State Alumni Programs and Events: https://alumni.wayne.edu/events University of Michigan Alumni Programs and Events: https://alumni.umich.edu/events/ University of Michigan Dearborn: https://umdearborn.edu/career-services/job-and-internship-prep/networking Detroit Young Professionals: https://www.detroityp.org/events Lawrence Tech University Alumni Networking and Events: https://ltu.edu/alumni/ Oakland University Alumni Networking and Events: https://www.oakland.edu/alumni/events/ Kettering University Alumni Events and Networking: https://www.kettering.edu/alumni/alumni-events Detroit Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): https://detroitshrm.org/meetinginfo.php Engineering Society of Detroit: https://www.esd.org/ IT in the D: https://itinthed.com/ American Society of Mechanical Engineers/Detroit (ASME): https://sections.asme.org/professional-section-detail?recordId=recY8oip9lfjI5UBz Financial Executives International – Detroit: https://www.financialexecutives.org/Network/Chapters/Detroit/Home.aspx Society of Automotive Engineers: https://www.sae-detroit.org/events/ National Defense Industry Association – Michigan: https://www.ndia-mich.org/events/membership-networking-social Women in Defense – Michigan: Holds monthly networking events around the state: https://wid-mi.org/ Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan: https://aiamnow.com/events/ Clean Fuels Michigan: https://www.cleanfuelsmichigan.org/events/ Crains Detroit: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/events First Bonus Tip : Many of these organizations offer opportunities to volunteer that will allow you to take your networking to another level, that includes giving back as well as growing your connections. This is a great way to meet the leadership team of the organization and partner organizations (often employer companies and community organizations) as well as connect with a broad array of the members. Second Bonus Tip : Many of these organizations have a LinkedIn page where they post articles, information about events, and what’s happening in the state/industry/profession.  Be sure to Follow that page for more great opportunities to connect with individuals that are commenting or contributing to that page. Third Bonus Tip : Local Chambers of Commerce also have a wide variety of events to network in the community, as well as Rotary Clubs, Meet-Ups, and other local civic organizations. Additionally, volunteering for local non-profits is a great way to meet other like-minded professionals, as well as getting to know your community better. When you are actively looking for a new job, you may want to make it a point to go to a networking event every week. Once you land in your new role, it’s wise to keep one or two on your calendar every month to keep your list of contacts fresh, stay up to date on what’s happening in the industry, sharpen your skills, and to grow your professional network. Beth Swanson is the Project Lead for the Michigan Career Portal and is passionate about helping jobseekers find their next career move in Michigan. Beth is a “newer” Michigander, having moved to Michigan from California in 2023. She loves exploring all the state has to offer and is especially fond of sailing on the gorgeous Great Lakes.

Whether you’re just starting out on the job market or consider yourself a seasoned professional ready for a change of scenery, figuring out your next career move can be overwhelming. Before you can even get to the tactical stuff—like updating your resume and LinkedIn profiles, searching for job openings, and preparing for interviews—it’s important to have a strong idea of what you're seeking. Are you driven by a need for a challenge, more work-life balance, a better cultural fit, or something else? To avoid the analysis paralysis that can come with weighing so many options, it helps to take a step back and think broadly about your goals and values. Once you determine what matters most in your decision, you can actionize it—like a go-to-market plan for your soul. Get started with the Goal-Value-Action (GVA) Framework . What is the Goal-Value-Action Framework ? The GVA Framework is a structured approach that guides you from broad aspirations to concrete steps. Here’s how it works (and here's where you can get the Goal-Value-Action Framework worksheet ): Start with Your Goal – At the center of the framework is your “north star,” the big motivation for your job search. This should be something meaningful, motivating, and specific. Example: This might be “Flexibility” if you’re seeking work-life balance to enjoy more of Michigan’s great outdoors. Identify Your Core Values – Surrounding your goal, define four key values that you want to shape your decisions and priorities. These values serve as guiding principles that keep you aligned with your goal—the “why” of your goal.  Example: If your goal is “Career Growth” you might have values like, “Continuous learning” to reflect the importance to you of learning new skill sets, or “Connection” if your impetus for career growth is to network with more like-minded professionals in your industry. Identify Actions – For each value, list specific actions you can take to bring your goal to life. These are the practical steps that ensure your search efforts move you forward. Resist the urge to list big actions—the most effective actions are the ones you can adopt consistently into your day or week. Example: if your value is “Creativity,” some actions might be to spend 10 minutes per day journaling or making art. Why the GVA Framework Works A job search is more than just submitting applications—it’s about finding the right fit. Many goal-setting methods focus only on outcomes, and traditional pros and cons lists don’t account for multivariable decisions. The GVA works by connecting your goal to your values, making them more relevant and sustainable long-term. This approach helps maintain motivation, especially during the inevitable ups and downs of job searching. Practical Tips  Write It Down – This is one of those times when it most serves you to write the GVA out by hand. Print several blank copies, pour your beverage of choice (Michigan has some amazing roasters and brewers to make this part of the process extra enjoyable), and start drafting.  Revisit Regularly – Perhaps the most critical component to the GVA is to revisit it frequently. Post it by your desk, in a notebook, on your fridge, or wherever will allow you to see it regularly. This will reinforce your commitment.  Consult It – The GVA is a living document. Life changes and so may your priorities and actions—but your values should remain the same for the goal you’ve identified. When you find yourself at a crossroads, consult your GVA: which path is best aligned with your primary goal? Final Thoughts Making a career change can be a complex and emotional process. The Goal-Value-Action Framework provides a clear path to follow, ensuring that every step you take moves you closer to a job that aligns with your core values and aspirations. Whether you’re searching for your next Michigan opportunity or looking to grow in your current role, the GVA can bring you the clarity and purpose to navigate your career transition. Author: Cassy Tefft de Muñoz is a native Michigander who calls the Upper Peninsula home. With over 15 years in the public and nonprofit sectors, she has extensive experience in international affairs, higher education, and community and workforce development. Cassy describes herself as an incorrigible intrapreneur who is just as likely to be found embarking down her favorite hiking trail with her dog, Tikka, as perusing a used bookstore.