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How to Make the Most Out of a Careers Fair
- Courtney McGrath
- Apr 9
- 6 min read
Careers Fairs - an exciting opportunity to consider your next steps and to see what it out there on offer! With so many employers in one place, a careers fair can give you the best chance to navigate different options and network with potential employers.
They can come in all different shapes and sizes - some are generic and have a wide variety of employers, and others are more specific to a particular industry or tailored to the stage in your education or career.
They are commonly arranged for those who are ready to start submitting job applications. However, they are usually open to anyone interested in exploring job opportunities.
No matter your position, attending a jobs fair can give you a good start at planning ahead, exploring your career plan, building your contacts and for asking those all-important questions.
However, we understand that it can equally be a daunting experience that many shy away from. It can definitely be a busy and nerve-wracking environment, so the purpose of this blog is to give some tips and guidance on how to prepare, what to expect on the day and what do so afterwards. The aim is for you to make the most out of your time and the opportunities that await you!
Preparing for a career fair:
Preparing can play a huge role in ensuring that you are get the most out of the opportunities that are on offer. Here are some tips:
Check who will be there. Your university or the event organiser will likely share information of the organisations expected to attend, and maybe even a map of where to find them on the day. If so, take a look at the information given, see who is of interest to you and make a list of the ones you would like to speak to. To feel extra prepared, do some research – they may have some job opportunities on offer or types of pathways that are available (such as grad schemes) which you could ask them about.
Prepare to make notes. Bring a notepad or something to jot down people’s names or remember important details to come back to later.
Plan your introduction. Consider having a short introduction of yourself memorised. Keep it short and sweet and finish with a question to open up a conversation – for example, “Hi I’m [your name]. I’m currently a final year student studying [degree course] and I’m looking into a career in the [X] industry, so it’s really great to meet you today. What is your role at [the organisation] and how long have you been working there for?”
Update your CV. There may be jobs on offer than you can apply for straight away, or it could be a more speculative approach for any future opportunities. Having an up-to-date CV will make you feel more confident and prepared, but don't forget to tailor it once you have found a job you want to apply for!
Update your LinkedIn. This doesn’t mean you have to go make lots of new insightful posts (unless that is your thing!). But keeping this up-to-date with the latest achievements, employment and skills can lead you to more connections and can act like a professional portfolio.
Set yourself small goals. Particularly if you are nervous, it is a good idea to set yourself realistic goals of what you would like to get out of the fair. This also depends on the purpose of your visit and what you want out of it. For example, are you looking for more information about a particular job or organisation? Do you want to build your network and get your name out there? Are you looking for a graduate programme? Some examples of goals could be:-
o Speaking to three people from different organisations.
o Getting 2 people’s contact details.
o Connecting with 5 people on LinkedIn.
o Find out the career path of 1 person at an organisation.
Remember - these career fairs are designed for YOU. Particularly for Higher or Further Education careers fairs, the organisations in attendance do not expect you to have a wide breadth of practical work experience. This is why it is the perfect opportunity to find out what you may need and how you can get there.
With that being said, it is good to know what to do when you arrive to make the most out of it.
At the careers fair:
Most often, the person running the stall will lead the questions, and it will likely be them asking you to introduce yourself or asking what your educational background is. So, having that introduction (that we mentioned earlier) ready will be key!
Ask questions. Some that you might ask could be:-
o What experience will make me stand out at your organisation or what do you look out for?
o What does the career progression at your organisation look like?
o What training or qualifications do you look for most with candidates?
o What learning and development opportunities do you offer?
o Do you have any job opportunities at the moment? If not, do you know of any in the future?
o What advice would you give someone looking for a job?
o What are you (the organisation) hoping to achieve out of this careers fair?
Acknowledge the busyness. If a stall is busy with people, you may find you only have a short amount of time to get a key question or two in. If you can’t come back at a quieter time, then try and “I can see you’re really busy today, could I please get your LinkedIn or contact details? I’d love to have a chat in more detail with you about the opportunities available”. Otherwise, being patient and keeping an eye out for when the busyness dies down will allow you to have a more personable conversation.
Acknowledge the quietness. On the flip side, while some stalls may be popular and busy, others may be quiet. So, whilst you’re waiting, or if you are nervous about introducing yourself to a recruiter, try to speak to someone that is not on your list first. This way, you can get yourself a bit more comfortable with sparking those first conversations, you can practice your elevator pitch, try get a connection on LinkedIn, ask some questions to a company and get inspired – even if it is an industry that may not be within your expertise (you never know who you might end up talking to!).
Connect with people on LinkedIn or follow their organisations. Boosting your network is never a bad thing, and LinkedIn is a real hotspot for the professional world to keep up to date with what people and organisations are getting up to and what jobs are on offer.
Gather resources. They may have brochures, QR codes or other places that can direct you to a realm of wider opportunities and greater information.
Hopefully, you get to take a lot away from the careers fair and that you come away feeling inspired and motivated, having met some really interesting people and organisations. It can be very full on with lots of information, so what you do after a careers fair is also important to try and turn it into a new job opportunity!
After a careers fair
Follow up with people you connected with. Send a message of gratitude on LinkedIn or drop them an email with your CV and Cover Letter.
Try not compare yourself to others. I know, it can be a lot easier said than done, but everyone at the careers fair will probably be feeling the same way and it could feel like a competition. Remember, a careers fair is not an interview, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself to come out of it with a job opportunity. It is an opportunity to explore ideas and figure out opportunities you may not have realised. Everyone has fantastic skills and experience to offer.
Apply for opportunities. Did you find out there was a job you wanted to apply for? Or an opportunity that is hard to miss? Well take the plunge and apply!
We have some additional resources that you may find helpful with submitting your applications.
Download our CV checklist here.