Our 2-day Autumn Careers Fair is just around the corner! The Employer Showcase will take place on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 October. The event will run from 12:30 pm until 4 pm each day and will be held at the Bristol Beacon on Trenchard Street.
To help you make the most of the day, we have pulled together our top tips on how to prepare for the fair
- Download and use the Career Fair Plus app to make a plan of who to speak to
You can download CareerFairPlus on your phone before the event to access an interactive floorplan for both days, as well as the full list of employers, tips for the day and resources so that you can research in advance of attending. Use the inbuilt filters to find out which employers are targeting you, as well as those that sponsor visas, have South West opportunities and more.
2. Research employers
Once you’ve decided who you want to speak to, do some research on them beforehand. This will help your conversations go smoothly and help you to demonstrate your interest in the company. You can find information about each employer on the CareerFairPlus app, mycareer, their own website and social media channels.
3. Prepare questions
Plan out a few questions to get your conversations with employers started. Think about what is it that you want to know; Details about roles? Skills needed? Travel opportunities? Training and development opportunities? Questions that build on knowledge you have already gained about the company through your research always make a good impression and demonstrate genuine interest.
Watch our “Good questions to ask at careers fairs” Instagram reel for inspiration.
Here are a few good questions to get you started:
- Can you tell me some typical activities that a graduate in your company is involved with?
- What sort of experience do you value?
- How would you describe the culture at your organisation?
- Can you tell me more about what you like to see on a CV so that I can target my application?
- How do you see jobs in the sector changing in the future?
- What do you think helped you get your job?
- What is the best/least favourite part of your job?
- What skills/qualities do you particularly look for?
- Is there anything you wish you had known before you started at X?
- What were the particular challenges you faced during your first year? (for recent graduates on the stand)
4. Make a good impression
The people on the stand could be people from the recruitment team, recent graduates, and potentially your future line manager or interviewer, so it pays to be enthusiastic and polite and make a good impression.
Remember to collect contact details and follow up afterwards (business card for a follow-up email or ask to connect on LinkedIn). This is an opportunity to thank them for the specific information they shared, reiterate your interest and share the next steps you intend to take.
5. On-the-day Careers Service advice
The Careers Service Zone will be located on the lower ground floor. If you need some help getting started at the fair, come and chat to us.
You can also chat to us about your career ideas, jobs, work experience, further study, CVs, applications, interviews and assessments used by employers, networking, support for international and under-represented students and how to get support with starting your own business. Also, learn more about Careers Service support and opportunities available to you throughout the year.
The Careers Service will be running a prepare for Employer Showcase session that will include a brief opportunity to practise introducing yourself with your peers. Being able to introduce yourself confidently will help you establish rapport with employers and grow your professional network. The session will be taking place on Tuesday 1 October from 10:30 am to 11 am. Register on mycareer to attend.
