We welcomed over 1200 of you to Bristol Beacon for Get Hired! on Wednesday 4 May.
Watching you all network with employers and getting to give you face-to-face careers advice was a real treat; we are so happy to have in-person events back.
Attending Get Hired! is just the beginning though; It’s what you do after the fair that can maximise your chances of growing your network, finding a mentor, or securing a coveted graduate role. The employers at Get Hired! were blown away by the calibre of students attending, so it’s important to capitalise on your dazzling networking skills and keep that momentum going.
Ready, set, connect!
To connect with someone online and before the flurry of LinkedIn activity begins, it’s important to ensure your profile is up to date and sparkling so that your new connections know right away that you’re ready to get hired.
Once you’ve uploaded a dashing new headshot (maybe one you got from the LinkedIn photo booth at the fair?) and added your most recent achievements to your profile, consider preparing some professional and friendly messages to reach out to employers (and join us on the Careers Service LinkedIn page too!).
Don’t be shy
When you’re ready, it’s time to reach out to the employers you met at the fair. It’s easy to let self-doubt get in the way of sending a prompt email after meeting an employer, but timing is key, so remind yourself of just how much you have to offer, and get connected.
Send the email, connect on LinkedIn, follow the organisation’s social media, and remember, those who dare win!
The ‘write’ stuff
It’s important that your follow up email is professional, and proactive in the right ways.
Make sure to contact them about something specific, perhaps follow up with a question for them (Top tip: avoid anything you can find out yourself), or reaffirm that you’re keen to apply after having spoken to them, and to thank them for their time.
If your skills and experience are well-matched to their needs, employers will usually appreciate proactive candidates approaching them about opportunities, it can mean an easy, quality hire for them, so don’t be afraid to enquire about work or work experience.
The next step
With a growing network under your belt, the next step will be getting ready to ace the application process. If you were savvy enough to have your CV reviewed by the Careers Service at Get Hired! you’ll already be set, but if you didn’t get the opportunity, you can:
- Learn how to write a winning CV in 3 steps. Once you’ve finished, you can book an appointment to get it reviewed by a Careers Adviser.
- Keep an eye on upcoming CV events on mycareer
- Use our CV360 tool to get instant, detailed feedback.
And when that interview is in the bag, use the resources we have available such as mock interviews and practice questions to get ahead.
Searching for and applying for jobs can be nerve-wracking, so remember that we’re here for you at every step of the journey.
Talk to us on Live Chat every weekday between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm, come along and chat with us in person at 5 Tyndall Avenue or check out the resources on the Careers Service website.
We look forward to meeting you!