With our two-day careers fair, the Employer Showcase, fast approaching, here are some of our top tips to help you prepare for the day.
The Employer Showcase is happening on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 October, from 12:30 p.m. to 4 pm at Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street. If you haven’t already, make sure you book your place on mycareer.
First and foremost, the Career Fair Plus app will be your best friend for navigating the Employer Showcase and making the most of your time there. The app offers an interactive floorplan, resources to research ahead of time, and filters to view your employers of interest to guide you through your experience.
Top tip: There are different employers attending each of the days, so we recommend coming along on both days to get the most out of it.
Once you’ve downloaded the app and got a feel for what to expect at the event, here’s what you can do to get the most value out of the two days:
Research in advance
Take some time to look into attending employers before the event, to gauge an idea of what they do and what they can offer you. You can start by looking at who is coming on the Career Fair Plus app, or in the Employer Showcase event on mycareer.
Keep an open mind and explore companies you’re not familiar with. Careers fairs are designed for you to be inspired by opportunities you may not have considered before. Most employers will have websites and public social media platforms which give great insight into their companies.
Map out your visit
Going into the fair with some idea of what you’re looking for can give you a sense of direction. Though this may seem excessive, mapping out in your mind which employers you definitely want to talk to is useful. In events like these, it can be easy to get caught up and walk straight past employers suited to you. Make a list, or a mental checklist, of the employers you want to see and tick them off as you go along.
There will be different employers attending on the Wednesday and the Thursday – check which ones will be there on which day. We recommend attending both days of the fair to get the most out of this event.
Prepare your questions
What is it you want to know? Details about roles? Skills needed? Travel opportunities? Training and development opportunities? Questions that build on knowledge you have already gained of the company through your research always make a good impression and demonstrate genuine interest.
Remember, employers are there to impress you, so it’s your turn to ask as many questions as you like!
Top tip: Don’t ask about salary. Be interested in the work, the organisation, and how you can use your skills in their employment. Fairs are a good opportunity to identify the specific skills and attributes that organisations look for, so that you can work on developing these in time for the selection process.
Build connections
Be enthusiastic, friendly and polite. The people on the stand could be a mixture of people from the recruitment team, recent graduates, and potentially your future line manager or interviewer. Employers don’t only attend these events to promote their opportunities, but also to establish a rapport with the next generation of professionals. Asking for a business card or to connect on LinkedIn, can be a great way to initiate and nurture valuable connections.
Top tip: You can also glow up your own LinkedIn profile by getting a free, professional headshot taken at the fair.
Follow up
After the event, reflect on the employers you met and think about which ones you liked and could see yourself potentially working for. If you got any contact details, it could be a good idea to email or message to thank them for their time.
This may feel uncomfortable and unnatural, as networking can be daunting at first, but it’s one of the best ways to open doors to career opportunities.
Top tip: why not attend a “Making the best use of LinkedIn and social media” session.
We’re here if you need us!
If you need a pep talk or some advice before heading up to see the employers or are unsure of anything, visit us in the Careers Service zone on the ground floor of the fair and we’ll be happy to help.
Most importantly, enjoy yourself, grab some freebies and have fun! Be enthusiastic, follow your interests and make the most of the day.
We look forward to seeing you at the Bristol Beacon!