Career Fair FAQ

About the event

When is the next career fair?

View our Career Fairs page for our upcoming career fairs.

How much does it cost to attend?

The cost is $750.00 per booth. Employers may reserve up to three booths.

What does this cost include?

Each booth registration ($750.00) includes an 8ft x 8ft booth with a 6ft draped table, two chairs, and two electrical outlets. Please bring power strips if additional outlets are needed. You may bring up to five representatives per booth.

What is the payment, cancellation, and refund policy?

In order to guarantee booth/event space, payment must be received prior to the event. If payment is not received by 30 days post-event, the unpaid account may be referred for collection.

Registrations from organizations with unpaid accounts from previous fairs/events will not be approved until past payment has been received.

Cancellations must be made in writing to cyhire@iastate.edu.
More than three weeks prior to the career fair: no cancellation fee.
Less than three weeks leading up to the career fair: 100% cancellation fee (no exceptions).

What is the average attendance for this event?

Fall career fair: 3,000 students and 200 employers.
Spring career fair: 1,500 students and 150 employers.

We encourage all ISU students to attend.

When should I register?

As soon as you know you would like to attend. Booth placement is based on a first come, first served basis.

Hilton Coliseum has two levels. We will fill the ground floor of Hilton first, and then the upper concourse. If you would like to be on the ground floor, we encourage you to register quickly. Registration is open until capacity has been reached or one week prior to the event (whichever comes first).

Fall registration: opens July 1.
Spring registration: opens December 1.

How do I register?

Log in to CyHire
On your home screen, under the section “Attend a Career Fair” select “Register.”
Select the desired event.
Complete the registration form and submit.

You will receive a confirmation email stating we have received your registration. If you do not receive this email, please review your registration to ensure all fields are completed.

Once your registration has been approved (within 72 hours), you will receive a confirmation email with event details.

Preparing for the event

When will I get my booth information?

You will receive your booth number two to three weeks prior to the event.

Where do I ship my materials?

Hilton Coliseum
1705 Center Drive
Ames, IA 50011
ATTN: (Name of Exhibiting Company)
Hold for: (Name of Career fair attending)

Please ensure your company’s name is clearly marked on the package, as items will be delivered to your booth.

Do not have your packages delivered to Hilton Coliseum earlier than one week prior to event.
Be sure to provide a pre-paid return label with your package.
Arrange a pickup with UPS or Fed Ex (UPS preferred).
All packages must be scheduled for pick-up within three days of the career fair.

Shipping your materials back:

All materials must be packaged and ready to ship at the conclusion of the fair.
Make sure to attach prepaid outbound shipping labels and leave items at your booth.
Event staff will move packaged items from your booth to the shipping location.

What should I bring?

Make sure your booth is inviting. Bring flyers, displays, promotional materials, business cards, swag, etc. to showcase your organization. Please note that signs should stand on their own and must fit in the allotted booth space.
Consider displaying a sign with a list of opportunities.
Please bring your own nametag. There will be blank nametags if needed.
Encourage Iowa State University alumni or current students from your organization to participate. Students enjoy connecting with alumni and find them easily approachable.

How do I pay my invoice?

Payment must be received BEFORE the career fair. Once your career fair registration has been approved, you will receive a separate email with your invoice attached.

To pay by check, see your invoice for instructions.
To make a credit card payment:
- Select “Pay by credit card” on your invoice to be directed to our online payment portal. Please note the invoice number is your code for online payment.

How can I make an impression with students before the event?

Post positions in CyHire to showcase your available opportunities.
Use LinkedIn to reach out and encourage students to visit your booth. Individually message students you wish to connect with.
Host an information session or drop-in office hours on campus in the weeks leading up to the career fair.
Engage with student organizations and classrooms.
Message students who have RSVP’d to the career fair. Please be aware that the list of student contacts we provide is intended as a professional resource only and should not be used for mass emailing. We ask that you use this tool thoughtfully and respectfully when reaching out to students.

To view registered students:

In CyHire, select “Events” on your left navigation bar.
Find the event you are attending and open.
Select the “Registered Students” tab.
Select the three dots on the upper right hand corner.
Select either “Download all application packages” or “Export all.”
This will generate an Excel document with the students’ information, including their college, majors, year in school, email, etc.

Day of the event

Where will the career fair take place?

Hilton Coliseum, Iowa State University
1705 Center Dr., Ames, IA 50011
University map

What is the schedule for the day?

9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Check in and set up.
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch.
Noon – 5:00 p.m. Career fair.
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Employer social hour.

Your organization is required to be present at your booth for the entire duration of the fair, noon – 5:00 p.m. Future booth placement may be affected for organizations who arrive later than noon and choose to depart prior to 5:00 p.m.

Where do I park and unload materials?

Free parking is available on the north and south sides of Hilton Coliseum.
Student ambassadors are available to assist with your unloading needs. Pull your vehicle around to the west loading dock and our student ambassadors will unload and deliver materials directly to your booth. Look for the RED “unload here” signs.

Do I need to check in?

You do not need to check in; you are able to go straight to your booth. If you do not know your booth assignment, staff will be at every entrance to show you to your assigned booth.

Where will lunch be served?

Lunch will be served from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. in Champions Lounge (located on the upper concourse). Feel free to sit in Champions Lounge, eat around the upper concourse, or take your lunch back to your booth.

Will there be Wi-Fi available?

University Wi-Fi is available for use:
IASTATE or ISU-GUEST

What are the best practices when attending?

Post on LinkedIn the day of the fair; let students know you are there to meet them.
We appreciate your willingness to speak about future opportunities and possible career paths within your organization to all students, regardless of their major or year in school.
We ask that you please accept students’ paper resumes and help students understand your recruitment process and how to apply to your organization.
Review our Employer Policies and Recommendations for recruiting at Iowa State.

What if I need assistance during the career fair?

Stop by one of our help booths. There are three locations: one on the Hilton ground floor, and two on the upper concourse at either check-in station.
Career fair student ambassadors (RED shirts) will be walking around Hilton all day to assist as needed.
A first aid station is located on the west side of Hilton on the upper concourse. It will be staffed with paramedics for the duration of the event.

Need a snack, drink, or a quiet space to work?

There is an employer lounge located on the northeast corner of Hilton ground floor.

Is there a mother’s room available?

A private mother’s room is located on the west side of Hilton’s ground floor.

Does Iowa State have space for interviews the day after the career fair?

Interview Day is hosted the day after the career fair at the Memorial Union. Please reserve your table(s) in CyHire under “Events.”