Semester 1 sees the return of our careers fairs. The Law fair is taking place on Wednesday 4th October and our Grad Jobs and internships fair is taking place over two days on Tuesday 10th October and Wednesday 11th October. There will be around 100 exhibitors over the duration of this fair so it’s a great opportunity to meet recruiters and have a go at networking.

Although the idea of approaching recruiters at a careers fair may be daunting, in practice it’s much easier than you think. Here are a few of our tips to help you get the most out of the fair.

Before the fair

• Before the day of the careers fair, look at the details on Handshake to see which companies will be there, read their profile and look up the types of roles they will be recruiting for. Pick out a few that interest you and you’d like to speak to on the day.

• If you’ve done your research, you’ll know who you want to talk to and maybe you’ll have some questions you’d like to ask. You’ll also be able to demonstrate genuine interest and have some prior knowledge of the company. This will impress the employer and save them having to explain what the company does, information which is available on Handshake anyway!
  However, it is also worth keeping an open mind, there might be employers at the fair who operate in a sector you haven’t considered before but they may very well be recruiting to roles that would suit you. Many companies recruit graduates from a range of disciplines.

• Brush up your CV and LinkedIn before you go. Most recruiters will have a formal application route on their website so you wouldn’t be expected to take your CV to hand out at the careers fair. It is useful though to have updated your CV and LinkedIn prior to the fair so that you are in a position to connect on LinkedIn after the event or make an application. Updating your CV beforehand has the added benefit of helping you articulate your skills and experience which will come in useful when speaking to recruiters.
  Use the CareerSet tool on our website for quick feedback on your CV.
  
• Think about what to wear. You don’t need to wear a suit but make sure your clothes are clean and presentable.

• Take a notepad and pen. If you’re planning to visit lots of stands, it is helpful to stop and write down a few notes and the names of anyone you meet before moving on to the next stand. Later on, this will help jog your memory when following up or making an application to that company.

At the fair

• Try to demonstrate that you have done some research and ask questions that provide a bit of an insight into the company rather than the practical information you could easily find on their website. You might ask about company culture, what are the skills they really value in their employees or ask a question about the sector in which they operate
  
• Don’t be afraid to ask for a business card or check if you can connect with them on LinkedIn.
  
• If you’re nervous try warming up by speaking to recruiters on a few other stands first before approaching the one you’re really keen to talk to. It’s a chance to practise speaking about your skills and selling yourself. It can feel uncomfortable at first but the more you practise, the easier it will become. 

• Careers and Placements will also have a stand at the fair, so you can come and speak to us first while you get accustomed to the fair. Don’t forget that the employees on most stands are likely to be recent graduates and they will have been in your shoes only recently.

• The busiest time is likely to be around lunchtime so to ensure you can get around all the employers you’re hoping to speak to, aim for the quieter times outside of lunchtime.

We hope to see you there!