Graduate recruitment fairs
At best, recruitment fairs offer a chance to network, find out about different industries and even bag a job. At worst, you'll be wandering around with no direction like a lost puppy. Make the most of your day with our three-step approach.
Step one: Before you go
Plan, plan, plan
Logging on to the organiser's website the day before the fair won't do you any favours. Preparation is the single, most important way to ensure success at the fair, so treat it like a long-term project and break your preparation into chunks. Don't just settle for the first careers fair that rocks up in town; there may be a different one that's much more suited to you. Many offer a generic spread of exhibitors and seminars; great if you're still unsure about what path to follow. Others focus on a specific industry, such as IT or finance, offering invaluable networking opportunities for those with a definite career in mind.
When you've selected the fair for you, start researching the exhibitors and seminars on offer and make a shortlist of the ones that interest you. You could even visit your careers adviser to talk through what you're planning to do and see. "There's nothing worse that wandering aimlessly through a fair, which can often be overwhelming for students," explains Saiyada Smith, Careers Advisor for The Careers Group. "Create an action plan in advance by mapping out your whole day. It's also important to schedule in a lunch break and short breaks throughout the day to reflect on what you've seen so far."
(Skip to 1:30 on the audio link above for more tips on planning)
Pack your bags
Rather like the first day back at school, getting sorted the night before will help you stay relaxed and focused the next morning. Here's what to pack:
- Two pens (in case one runs out, although there are usually lots of freebies to collect);
- A notepad - preferably with your action plan clearly mapped out inside and pre-planned questions for the exhibitors you'll be approaching;
- Copies of your CV - if you impress an exhibitor seize the moment and hand a copy over. There may even be CV surgeries where you can get advice on improving yours;
- An open mind - "There'll be lots of exhibitors there that you might not have considered, so it's worth thinking beyond what you've researched and talking to as many people as possible," says Saiyada.
(Skip to 3:50 on the audio link above for more tips on what to take)
Step two: On the day
It's time to put all that planning into practice. Arrive in good time to have a coffee and familiarise yourself with the layout of the fair.
Approaching exhibitors
"Use the fair as an opportunity to sell yourself," advises Saiyada. "Everything you do will influence the exhibitors, so it's important to be polite, friendly, enthusiastic, positive and honest and also to be well-informed about the employer. We work with a range of exhibitors and the common complaint we get is that attendees haven't researched the companies properly, so think of questions beyond the obvious and look for more information than they give you on their website."
Saiyada's other top tip is to treat the careers fair like an interview by dressing smartly, using effective eye contact and body language. "Don't just go in and ask a million questions - the art of effective communication is a balance between listening and talking," she says.
(Skip to 5:00 on the audio link above for more tips on your approach)
Success at seminars
Again, consider how to get the most out of your chosen seminars before you get there. There will be many on offer, from networking and interview techniques to CV surgeries and seminars run by employers themselves. Resist spending the whole day in endless seminars by focusing on the skills and areas you really want to learn more about. Jot down some key points you'd like covered, and if they aren't, raise them in the Q&A session at the end. If you found the seminar helpful, make a beeline for the presenter and thank them for their time, taking their details for follow-up later.
Step three: Following up
All the hard work you've put in so far should make the follow-up easy. If you had a good conversation with a certain exhibitor, note down their name and title, what was discussed and remind them about it in your follow-up letter to jog their memory. Try to write personal letters to each employer, thanking them for their time and outlining why you feel enthusiastic about working for them. This will take longer, but employers can smell a generic letter a mile off, and it will usually stink of someone who isn't completely committed to their company.
Don't just follow-up with employers - there's a wealth of expertise for you to tap into if you use your initiative. Saiyada recalls a recent student who impressed her when she gave a presentation about effective networking. "He took my details at the end and set up a time to call me. We used the time to talk about some difficulties he'd had approaching employers and I was able to help him through his concerns. This proves that careers fairs are an excellent opportunity for students to not only network with employers from a range of sectors, but also gain self-awareness of their own career development."
(Skip to 7:00 on the audio link above for more tips on following up)
