What to Wear to a Career Fair: Men’s Outfits That Work
A career fair is a few dozen thirty-second first impressions in a row. You want to look like someone who already works there, and be comfortable enough to stand for three hours.
Check the dress code first
Most fairs say business professional or business casual on the event page. Business professional means a suit. Business casual means a blazer or a sharp knit with dress pants. When it does not say, or when banks and consulting firms are on the list, wear the suit or at least the blazer.
The business professional outfit
- Navy or charcoal suit.
- White or light blue dress shirt.
- A plain or subtly patterned tie.
- Leather dress shoes and a belt in the same color.
The business casual outfit
- Navy blazer.
- Dress shirt or button-down, tucked in.
- Dress pants or pressed chinos in grey, navy or khaki.
- Leather shoes or clean loafers. No sneakers.
What to skip
- Hoodies, quarter-zips over a t-shirt, and anything with a large logo.
- A backpack worn on both shoulders over a suit jacket. Carry a slim folder for resumes.
- Brand new shoes you have never walked in.
One outfit, a whole recruiting season
Career fairs, info sessions, coffee chats and interviews usually land in the same six weeks. Renting a blazer or a suit by the month covers all of it, usually for less than buying one, and you send it back when the season ends.
