Culinary and hospitality career fairs can open doors to opportunities across the food and beverage industry.
For students and aspiring professionals, they offer a chance to learn about different career paths, meet employers face-to-face and make valuable connections.
ICE hosts careers fairs at its New York City and Los Angeles campuses, where employers from the industry gather to fill their openings with fresh talent from our kitchens and classrooms.
"The career fair is a great opportunity for our school and the students who attend, as we have 25 employers who usually come, representing well over 60 kitchens in and around the city — New Jersey and Connecticut included," said Robin Hom, assistant dean of students at ICE.
Employers who have attended career fairs at the school include industry leaders like Great Performances, Dinex Group, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Craft Restaurant Group, Thomas Keller Restaurant Group and Union Square Hospitality Group.
There are also some familiar faces as ICE graduates who have made their way up the hospitality ladder often return to the school to recruit. One example is Michelle Palazzo, Director of Pastry Operations at Frenchette Group. At a recent career fair, she said, "I met a lot of amazing candidates and people that I’m excited to reach out to and see if it’s a good fit for any of our restaurants." (Watch the video below to see what ICE's career fairs look like.)
But like any networking event, success depends on preparation. Here are six tips to help you approach your next career fair with confidence.
1. Do your homework.
There’s nothing more flattering to an employer than a student who approaches their recruiting table referencing a recent review in the New York Times or an upcoming restaurant launch mention in Eater. Want to work for Union Square Hospitality Group? If you devoured Danny Meyer’s "Setting the Table" in one sitting, then make that known — it can help your résumé rise to the top of the stack.
2. Perfect your résumé.
The day of the career fair is not the time to revise your work history. Leave ample time for ICE Career Services staff or an eagle-eyed friend to review and proofread your résumé. On the day of the event, print out more copies than you think you’ll need. Nothing is worse than giving out your last copy… and then spotting your dream employer across the room.
3. Come up with a social strategy.
If you’re a bit on the shy side, build confidence by gradually working your way up to your top-choice employer. That way, you’ve tested your pitch on a few other companies and have shaken off most of your nervous energy.
4. Don’t underestimate first impressions.
Don’t forget to smile, give a firm handshake and make direct eye contact. Your appearance should be professional and neat — wear business casual clothing or your ICE chef coat. You want the recruiter to remember you for your personality and résumé (not a flashy outfit).
"I look for smiles, personality, excitement, enthusiasm — and ICE students have those qualities. Our externs from ICE have been excellent," said Anthony Ricco, executive chef at The William Vale Hotel and an ICE graduate.
5. Follow through.
Networking doesn't end when the fair is over. Review your notes from the event and follow up with the employers that interested you most — that will send a clear signal to the recruiter that you remain eager about the opportunity. Sending a “thank you” email also shows attention to detail and opens a line of communication. And, if you are lucky enough to land an interview or trail at the event, be sure to arrive punctually or reschedule well in advance of the meeting.
6. Remember, the industry is smaller than you think.
Each connection and conversation you make during a career fair should be viewed as an opportunity, whether it pays off immediately or further down the road.
Looking for more advice on getting into the restaurant industry? Request more information here.
