Careers Fairs
Careers fairs offer you the opportunity to gather more information about career choices available to you, get advice from potential employers about what qualifications or further study you may require, and allow you to target companies you may wish to work for in the near future. Fairs tend to be a combination of exhibits, showcasing a company, what it does and the employment opportunities it offers, usually manned by human resources staff or line managers, and seminars, which may be run by a specific employer, or a trade association, giving general advice about a particular vocation.
What to expect
Known as “the milk round” career fairs aimed at under or recent graduates begin in early September. This is when employers will visit individual universities, based on the subjects an institution offers or recent recruitment history. This is often your opportunity to get more attention from a company than you may at a large regional careers fair. However the large fairs are still worth attending if you are unsure of the particular career path you want to take, are unsure of how to meet your career goals, or simply want to learn more about the industry you are targeting.
At a career fair you should expect to meet with company representatives, be presented with further information about what the company does, any graduate training scheme it may run and opportunities that exist within a company that may not be obvious. Some employers will hold impromptu interviews or ask you to sit a short test at their stand, which may result in you being asked to submit an application for a job. Others may ask interested students to submit online applications, hand in their CV or to contact employers at a future date. As what is on offer varies by company you should prepare yourself for all scenarios.
Preparation
Although known as fairs, don’t dress as though you are going to one. This is your opportunity to make an impression, make contacts and get a foot in the door. Don’t sell yourself short by turning up in ripped jeans, tarty clothes or smelling like you’ve spent the last four years living in a pig sty. At the same time, there is usually no need to over do it and dress in a full suit. Whatever you choose to wear, make sure it is clean and tidy, and leaves the right impression on what could be your future boss. Don’t forget the most important accessory of all – a smile and enthusiasm!
Although you will be attending a fair intending to learn as much about a company or industry as you can, don’t forget employers are there to get to know you. Go prepared with plenty of up-to-date copies of your CV and a short list of questions about a company or role. You don’t need to be too specific, but questioning representatives will show you are seriously interested, give the impression of intelligence and help you build rapport.
After spending time talking with a representative, ensure you get contact details – of the company, info on how to apply for jobs, and of the individual. This will enable you to maintain contact with the company and give you an avenue to ask further questions when applying for a job. In the week following a fair you may wish to email your company contact with a copy of your CV, thanking them for their time and at the same time, gently reminding them who you are.
