NIU students and alumni gathered in the Convocation Center on Tuesday in search of an elusive commodity: employment.

Career Services sponsored its 24th annual job fair, where current NIU students and alumni had the opportunity to meet with 136 potential employers and drop off their résumé.

Upon entering, students were given a packet with a complete listing of employers, as well as what majors they were interested in.

Mary Myers, associate director of campus and employer relations for Career Services, stressed the importance of networking at an event like this.

“70 percent of jobs are found through who you know,” she said.

Myers said employers were eager to set up a booth in the Convocation Center.

“We had a flux of companies who wanted to be here,” she said.

Employers set up booths around the elevated track and waited for potential employees.

Michelle Bateman, recruiting supervisor for Enterprise Rent-A-Car, said the company looks forward to coming to NIU for the job fair.

“We definitely hit up all the state schools,” she said. “NIU has always had some of the best talent.”

Bateman said that she looks for specific things when meeting a potential employee for the first time.

“Being prepared is [important],” she said. “You can absolutely tell if they’re not.”

Besides presenting a résumé, potential employees should be able to converse as well.

“We want them to be able to give a 30-second speech,” she said. “The first impression is key.”

Wendy Oltman, field campus recruiter for Target, recommended researching the companies before the job fair so students can focus their questioning.

Oltman agreed that making a first impression was very important.

“We look for people who come up with confidence.”

Students had a variety of opinions on how to make a good first impression.

“I just try to present the best ‘me,'” said alumnus Ladi Bello.

Senior biology major Samuel Albin said he hoped his personality would shine through.

“I’m social and a good people person,” he said.

Albin said he came to the job fair to test the market before he graduates in May.

“I’m looking for a job and just seeing what’s out there,” he said.

Bello said he was hoping to gain some work experience, and visited the CA Technologies and AmericanEagle.com booths.

Senior marketing major Tom Bulger said he used this opportunity to reconnect with employers he had met with previously.

“I’m reacquainting myself with them…it’s nice to network,” he said.

Bulger said potential employees need to attend events like the job fair.

“It’s hard to get a job today,” he said. “You need to take every opportunity you get.”