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Guide

Student resume card

Short answer

Bring several copies of a tailored resume, your student ID, a pen and notepad, a folder to carry things, a 30-second introduction you can say out loud, three questions per employer and a quick way for a recruiter to reach you. A QR code or NFC card that opens your resume and LinkedIn is a useful supplement, not a replacement for the paper resume or the conversation. Check your school's own career fair page first, because requirements such as registration and ID vary by event.

Updated

Written and reviewed by NearvoQ

The checklist

  • Five to ten copies of a one-page resume, tailored to the kinds of roles you want.
  • Your student ID, if the event uses it for check-in.
  • A pen and a small notepad for names, advice and next steps.
  • A padfolio or folder so resumes stay flat.
  • A 30-second introduction: your major, a skill or project, and the roles you are looking for.
  • Two or three questions per employer, from research on the employer list.
  • A way to share your details quickly: a card, or a QR code that opens your profile.

The week before

  1. Read the employer list

    Most fairs publish who is attending. Pick five employers you actually want to talk to and learn one thing about each.

  2. Update your resume

    One page, with the strongest projects and experience at the top. Ask your career center to review it.

  3. Set up a profile

    A free digital business card can hold your name, LinkedIn, portfolio and a Resume tab. Free includes 1 profile.

  4. Practice your introduction

    Say it out loud to a friend until it takes about 30 seconds.

Paper resume vs digital card: use both

Paper resumeDigital card or QR code
Best forHanding to a recruiter who wants to read nowLetting them find your links later
UpdatesReprint to changeEdit once and the link stays the same
ShowsOne page you choseResume, LinkedIn, portfolio, email in one place
RiskGets lost in a stackA recruiter may not scan it; keep your conversation first

Where a card fits

An NFC card or QR code is a convenient end to a conversation: "Tap here and you will have my resume and LinkedIn." A NearvoQ profile has a Resume tab for a PDF or DOCX and lets you change it without printing anything. Cards start at $19.99; the profile itself is free.

Be honest about what it does. A card cannot get you a job. It makes it easier for someone who is already interested to find your details afterward. Tailoring and following up matter more.

Fargo-Moorhead students

If you are at NDSU, the Career and Advising Center lists each fair's date, place and who may attend. See our summary of NDSU career fairs, and always confirm details on the center's own page.

Questions worth asking a recruiter

  • What does a typical first year look like in this role?
  • Which skills or projects help a new graduate stand out for it?
  • What does the hiring process look like from here, and when should I expect to hear back?
  • Who is the best person to follow up with, and how do they prefer to be contacted?

Questions people ask

  • Resume copies, your student ID if needed, a pen and notepad, a folder, a 30-second introduction, questions for employers and a quick way to share your contact details.

  • No. A resume and a good conversation matter most. A card or QR code that opens your profile is a helpful extra.

  • Five to ten is a reasonable start for a campus fair, but check the event's size and expected employers.

  • It can be, as a supplement: one link for your resume, LinkedIn and portfolio. Keep the conversation first.

Keep reading

Start Connecting

A free profile with a Resume tab, ready to share by QR code or card.

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