How to prepare for a career fair

Make sure you check out our top tips in order to make the most of the City University Career Fairs

What is a Career Fair and who will I meet?

City University Career fairs are formally structured events where anything from 15 – 26 employers are represented, each with their own stand. This is a rare opportunity to meet lots of companies within just a couple of hours! You will be able to speak with both HR representatives that can go into detail about the company’s application and selection process as well as graduate trainees that have only been with the company for 1-2 years. The latter ones can talk to you more about their personal experience when applying as well as their role duties.

Who should attend a career fair?

Don’t wait until your final year of university to start thinking about your career options!

First-year students

You are encouraged to attend career fairs as they provide an excellent avenue for obtaining information about different career fields, specific company culture and work experience opportunities.

Remember - it is never too early to start researching and collecting information on your career options. You may not know exactly what you want to do once you graduate, but having a sense of which opportunities are available can be helpful when it comes to choosing modules and deciding on extra-curricular activities.

Final and Second-year students

You will find the fair useful for meeting recruiters within specific sectors and exploring what opportunities are available. You will be able to find out what employers expect from applicants and gain useful tips and advice for the application and selection process and thus maximise your chance of being successful at those stages. You can ask about some of the questions you are likely to encounter on their application forms and those that you wouldn't be able to ask at an interview. E.g. salary details or “what questions were you asked at your interview?” You may also want to talk to company representatives about your individual preferences and circumstances and identify those opportunities that best suit your skills and experience. E.g. if you don’t meet the requirements to apply for their graduate scheme you can ask about alternative ways to get in the company.

Whilst you should take advantage of the opportunity to talk with recruiters on a more informal level, remember that this could be your first opportunity to make an impression on what could be your future employer. Treat the fair as a preliminary stage of selection. Make a good impression and you could already have your foot on the ladder, make a bad impression and you have fallen at the first hurdle!

Postgraduate and Research students

Most of the issues raised above for final year students will also apply to you, as the majority of organisations tend to recruit graduates and postgraduates through the same entry routes. You can use the fair to enquire about graduate schemes that match your qualifications and experience. Some organisations might offer specialist entry routes for MSc or PhD students and you can use the fair as an opportunity to find out more about these.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes, this year students and graduates will need to register in advance by completing our online booking form. As with all events, signing up for a fair is a commitment to attend, and you should only book a place if you are sure you will be attending. We take your sign ups seriously and will expect you to show if your name appears on the list, and so does the recruiter. Low/non attendance reflects negatively on the University, and effectively discourages companies from returning for other campus based events. Regard your sign up as a commitment on your part. Sign up – turn up!

Be prepared...

What should I do before the fair?

Although you may be attending to find out more about the company, still do some homework in advance. It will look better to the recruiter if you can show you are interested enough to have done some research beforehand. If you appear ill-informed you will not impress.

Pick up one of the fair brochures from the Careers Service and read the employer profiles or go to their websites and do your research. Lists of companies participating in each Fair will also be available on the website before the event. Make sure you plan in advance how you want to use the event and what information you want to get out of it. Prepare some relevant questions, not just about the companies and the job prospects, but show you have an interest in the area of work generally and can discuss current issues. Think about the questions that you want to ask before you approach the stand as this will ensure you look interested and knowledgeable and avoid any awkward pauses. It may help to prepare a "30-second CV" i.e. be ready to sell yourself positively and succinctly in response to a general opener like "tell me about yourself". Also, find out beforehand how employers prefer to be approached at Career Fairs.

Do I need to have a CV?

It is a good idea to bring several copies of your CV. If you are visiting a single company, make sure your CV has been tailored to them. However, don’t force it on people, just have it to hand to give out if asked or if the direction of the conversation suggests it is appropriate.

Remember: From 2-4pm, City University students and graduates can use the fair to get their CV checked and receive professional advice from our careers team. If you need us to review your CV and cover letter before the fair, please call 020 7040 8093 to book an appointment with a Careers Consultant.

What if I’m not looking for a job?

If you are not looking for a job, you should still do some research so you know which company representatives you would like to spend time with. This will allow you to target certain organisations and will save you some time, especially if you are going between lectures. In this case a CV may not be required, but watch what you wear because you are making a first impression!

Be professional...

What should I wear?

Dress like a professional. Imagine you are already working for the company – this will help the company see that you could fit into their corporate culture. Jeans and baseball caps do not figure highly in any employer’s dress code! It is recommended that your attire for these events be somewhere between business casual to business formal. You don’t have to wear a suit, but do try to make a good first impression.

What should I do on the day?

So you have planned in advance how you want to use the event. You have specific things you wish to find out about the company or the sector. You are not just thinking in terms of factual information but aiming to pick up a sense of the company culture. What else?

Approach the stand as you would do at an interview - first impressions count!
Start conversations with expressions such as "I am interested in..." or "I know about your company and would like to find out more about..." rather that "Who are you and what do you do..." or "What can you offer me..."
Career fairs are busy. Be prepared to succinctly outline your knowledge of the company, express enthusiasm in what the company does, and describe how your educational and employment background could contribute to their needs.
Find out what exhibitors are looking for by asking them: what skills and experience do you need? You can then tailor your experiences and responses to what they are looking for.
Be proactive and keen. Don't just browse or collect freebies - talk to the recruiters. This is the best opportunity to get your face in front of your potential employer and find out anything that could help you make more effective applications.
Avoid standing in a huddle in the corner talking to your mates. The point of the event is for you to find out anything that can help you make more effective applications to this company and to others. Don’t waste the chance of talking to those in the know. You can talk to your friends another day.
If you spend some time with an individual and feel you are getting on well, consider asking for their business card or note down their name and job title so that you can refer to them along with your application or during your interview.
But be sensitive to body language and avoid monopolising a single person to the point of boring them to death! Be respectful of employers' time.
The above points mean working hard at developing your networking skills. This is a combination of being able to make intelligent, polite and relevant small talk, being able to listen and respond appropriately to questions asked of you and also the capacity to use these conversations as an opportunity not just to gain information but to build a list of personal contacts, who may be able to help you in the future.

What should I do after the event?

In some cases, consider sending a follow-up thank you email. It might just add to the positive impression you have made and set the stage for future correspondence.
The Careers Team can also assist you after the event, and in planning your job exploration or job search strategy. Come to the Careers Centre and book a drop in appointment, as noted on our homepage.

What other events can I attend?

In addition to career fairs, the Centre for Career and Skills Development hosts many company information sessions and skills workshops throughout the year to enable students to learn more about potential employers. Employers use this time to share their company history, promote their organisation, describe their company culture, talk about career paths and opportunities and share tips for applications and interviews. These informal information sessions provide the means for students to learn more about the employers they are considering before participating in the application and selection process.

City University students and graduates may refer to the Calendar of Events for more details on each workshop.