Starting a conversation with a potential employer at the Internship Fair is like approaching someone who catches your eye at a party. Say the right thing and you might walk away with a number.

Your first meeting with a recruiter is critical, said Ellen Anderson, an assistant director at the Career Planning and Placement Center.

“The initial conversation you have with a recruiter is the company’s first impression of you,” she said. “You have to be an assertive, proactive candidate to be successful at any one of these fairs.”

Dan Bingley, coordinator of the co-operative education internship program, agreed.

“When you enter the fair, your attitude should be positive, inquisitive, eager and fluent,” he said. “What you don’t want to project is shyness, fear or any weakness in communication skills.”

Bingley said the pressure is on the perspective interns.

“You need to realize for larger companies with long lines, the representative is there to weed out those students who don’t qualify and to select some that do,” he said.

Alan Farber, an assistant director at the Career Planning and Placement Center, said it’s good to come prepared.

“A student should prepare a brief, succinct description of who they are, what they have done and why they are interested in that position,” he said.

Traditional business practices should be observed Bingley said.

“A good firm handshake and smile are always a good, smart way to start,” he said. “It shows the employer that you are enthusiastic and that you care.”

Once you start a conversation, good questions can make the difference between a good and bad candidate for an internship.

“Questions that demonstrate a sincere interest in that position or company and a knowledge of what services that company provides are critical to the process,” Farber said.

However, there is such a thing as a stupid question.

“If it’s clear you don’t know much, it’s clear to the representative that you don’t care,” Bingley said.