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This is by far the most dangerous of all career fair myths. The reality is that all current students should attend career fairs (notice the dramatic use of bold applied to the font -- it must be important). Career Fairs are not only excellent places to find jobs but they are also one of the best places to network, get leads on internships and, best of all, learn more about specific jobs and industries.

Let's say you're a freshman and have yet to find a major you really enjoy. Here's a chance to talk to people from almost every industry and learn what they like about their jobs and the ideal majors to break into the field. Maybe you're a sophomore? This is the perfect opportunity to practice introducing yourself with your resume to recruiters and getting leads on internships. Perhaps you're a junior? You're in your internship prime so it would be good to find one of those and it might be nice to pick up a business card which has the contact information for a real person at a company you would like to work for next summer. The reasons why you should attend career fairs go on and on. Just remember that career fairs are not just for applying for jobs, but for learning more about what's out there.

Don't bring a few resumes. Bring a lot of resumes. Bring more resumes than you think you'll need. Bring enough for two fairs. Running out of resumes, or not handing over a resume because you are saving that precious last one for later is a tremendous loss. Recycling is acceptable; missing a job opportunity is not.

* The world of career development is currently in a state of flux and there are significantly different levels of "technological advancement" among employers. For instance, Boeing and Intel will most likely not want a hard copy of your resume. Instead, they will instruct you to go to their website and complete their online application process or submit your information through CalJobs/OCR. A variety of emotions have been expressed regarding this development. As a job seeker, it can feel a bit impersonal; try not to worry about it. The moral of the story is simply don't be surprised if you meet a company at the career fair and they don't want a hard copy of your resume.

Let's crush this myth right now. You've got what it takes. And if you don't, don't worry, because here's the perfect recruiter pick-up line. First and foremost, smile. Psychologists have proven that people who smile are better liked than those who don't. Second, identify yourself by name - pretty easy so far. And the final step, (aka the uppercut) ask, "What types of positions do you have for a Cal grad with a major/background/skills/interest in X?" There you have it. The conversation should be safely underway.

Just in case you're still unsure about what to say, here is an example:

"Hi, I'm Billy Ray. I was wondering what types of positions you have for someone with a degree in sociology and some quantitative skills?"

As you can see, even if you are extremely nervous and have done no prior research, it's fairly easy to get the ball rolling with any employer.

Keep in mind, this is for the beginner. Ideally, with just a little bit of research a day or two before the fair, you can easily expand this introduction into something which will not only introduce yourself but also display knowledge of the company and express why you're the best hire. This leads us to myth number four.

In all fairness, this can be a problem at some off-campus career fairs. However, nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to Career Center fairs. Why? Consider the evidence.

Exhibit A: An outstanding webpage provided by the Career Center which is both a schedule and directory of all Cal Career Fairs. This comprehensive site will list every employer attending a fair online three weeks in advance (and and link to last year's list of attendees as well). This will afford you plenty of time to figure out which employers you'll want to meet.

Exhibit B: Once you've learned who will be attending the fair, the Career Center has an impressive Info Lab as well as extensive online Employer & Industry Guides which contain more than enough information to prepare you for the big event. Check it out. It cannot be stressed enough that even a little preparation can make the difference between a successful or an unsuccessful Career Fair.

Granted, college is the time to express yourself before you sell out to corporate America to pay off your school loans. And, of course, it is your right to dress however you please. However, if you can bear the thought of conforming for just a few hours, even remotely professional attire will send a positive signal to employers that you're serious about finding a job or internship. Even though rollerblades are convenient (and undeniably demonstrate your heartfelt commitment to non-petroleum based modes of transportation), they are the number one sign that your participation lacks sincere commitment. If your friends tease you and look at you in disgust for shaving, covering your midriff, wearing a shirt with cuffs and a collar, or wearing a sensible set of heels, tell them you have a court date or something similarly rebellious.