Career fairs
Introduction
- Going to a careers fair is a useful way to find out about potential vacancies or different areas of work.
- Investigate which companies are visiting the careers fair, and research those which interest you.
- Have a clear idea what it is you want to get out of the careers fair.
- Plan your route around the fair, and which stands you intend to visit.
- Bring copies of your CV with you.
- Ask lots of questions on the day and make notes, if necessary.
- Enjoy the event, and see it as a learning experience, even if it doesn’t result in a job offer.
At a careers fair, a group of organisations gather, usually in a hall or other large area, to talk to people about what they have to offer. This could be information about a particular industry or course, potential job vacancies and work placements or general careers advice. Each organisation usually has a stand or exhibit, so people can identify them straight away.
Careers fairs take place at venues up and down the country. Some are very general, whereas others might relate to a particular area of work, such as law, IT, teaching, etc. Some are targeted at a particular group, for example, graduates, adults returning to education or those seeking summer work.
As well as companies looking to recruit, you could find professional bodies, employment agencies, careers advisers, further study providers and voluntary organisations at a careers fair. There might also be seminars or speakers from different organisations, talking about work-related topics.
Why go to a careers fair?
Careers fairs allow you to speak to potential employers face to face, and in an informal setting. You can find out what it is like to work in a particular industry, and what opportunities are available.
You can fill out application forms or leave your CV with potential employers, obtain careers advice, find out about work placements or sign up with an employment agency. Further study providers are often on hand to give you information about training options.
Even if you are not sure about working in a particular area, a careers fair is a good opportunity to help make your mind up, broaden your options and obtain new ideas. You could end up eliminating companies or job areas that don’t match your career aspirations, and identifying those that do.
Most people don’t leave a careers fair with a new job in tow, so don’t be disheartened if you don’t, either. It may be that an employer contacts you later on, when an opportunity does come up. But even if they don’t, try to see the event as a positive, learning experience. You may even enjoy it, and most of them are free to attend!
How to prepare
As with all areas of job hunting, being prepared is the key to success. Before the fair, try to obtain a guide detailing who is attending. You can usually find out about careers fairs by looking through the local press, searching online or contacting events companies, educational establishments, employment or careers services.
Identify which of the organisations attending you are interested in, and do some background research. See if they have a website, which may include details of vacancies. Knowing a bit about an organisation is likely to impress them.
Think about what it is you want from the careers fair. Is it just information and advice, or are you looking for a job? This should help you to focus on the type of questions you need to think about asking at the event, and who to approach.
Also, try and prepare for the type of questions you are likely to be asked by them.
Bring copies of your CV along, as well as paper and a pen to note down any information or contacts you make.
On the day of the fair
Try to arrive early; careers fairs can get crowded and you want to be able to maximise your time. Wear smart but comfortable clothes.
Get hold of a floor plan. This will show who is exhibiting where. Mark on it the stands you want to visit, and plan your route around the fair. Don’t necessarily head straight for the company you’re most interested in – practice on other companies first.
Make sure you know what you want: queuing to see an employer who is looking for candidates in a different area than what you’re interested in could be a waste of time.
However, be open-minded about the companies you approach. You may automatically veer towards the well-known companies, but the lesser-known ones could be just as interesting in terms of potential opportunities.
Try to create a good impression: ask questions, appear enthusiastic and emphasise what you have to offer. A lot of people visit careers fairs, so making sure you stand out from others is crucial.
Before you leave the fair, have another look at your floor plan and notes, and check that you’ve seen the companies you wanted to see, asked the relevant questions and obtained any contact details or information of interest.
Within the next week, follow up any useful contacts or organisations for more information. Use what you’ve learnt from the fair to plan ahead and make decisions.