Making the most of a careers fair by Jackie Thompson

Careers and Employability Service

Making the most of a careers fair We organise fairs throughout the year, giving you the chance to meet your future employer. Use these events to find out about their graduate and internship opportunities. Before the fair

At the fair

Research employers in advance Login to My Career to find out which employers will be attending the fair. Identify employers that interest you and any that you haven’t heard of before – they might offer just what you are looking for.

Make a good first impression Remember your suitability for the organisation and role is being assessed during your conversations – the person you talk to could be your interviewer. Employers may take the name of students who impress them to follow their application.

The company website should be the first place to start your research. Find out about the size of company, location, the industry or sector they work in, their mission statement and graduate opportunities. Decide what information you want to know Why are you attending the fair and what do you want to find out? Are you looking for graduate, internship or sponsorship opportunities, or information about the company? Think about how you will promote yourself What is your unique selling point? What are your skills and strengths? How does your background fit with what the company is looking for? How will you market yourself during conversations? Your CV Is it up to date, professional and targeted? If you need support in developing your CV, there are useful resources available on our website. If you have a CV and would like some feedback, book an appointment with one of our team. www.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/CV www.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/appointments

www.nottingham.ac.uk/careers

Project a positive image Consider how you look – a suit and tie is not required but avoid wearing old jeans or sportswear. Instead opt for a well-groomed, casual appearance. Think about what you say and how you say it Always speak in a professional manner, give the employer your full attention and maintain positive body language at all times. Greet them with a firm handshake, smile and introduce yourself. Preparing an introduction in advance will help build your confidence. Include what you are studying and express your interest in their company before asking any questions. Use your time wisely and target employers of interest Some employers will attract a lot of interest. If an employer is busy, move on to a quieter stall and return later. Visit employer stalls on your own rather than with friends, this will allow you to get the information you need rather than taking up time listening to your friends ask questions. Have a pen and paper at the ready to make notes Not only does this show your interest in the employer, but your notes will be a useful reminder after the event of conversations and information covered. Although many recruitment processes take place online, have copies of your CV available and give them to employers, if requested. If you are given a business card from a representative, make a note of your conversation on the back of it.

Careers and Employability Service

Ask relevant questions Use the fair to ask questions that will give you a deeper insight into the company and opportunities available. The research you have undertaken can frame the questions you ask. For example, “On your website it says that the graduate scheme consists of short placements, what type of work would I be involved in and what level of responsibility would I have?” If there is a recent graduate at a stand, find out about their role and experience with the company. Their answers should help you to decide which companies you want to apply to and the roles that interest you. Your questions may cover the following topics: • Content of the graduate or internship programme • Role responsibilities and tasks • Desired experience and skills • How to make your application stand out during the selection process • Common mistakes applicants make • Training opportunities and career development • Opportunities for working overseas or travel Avoid questions around salary and benefits unless the employer raises them.

Create an action plan Decide what you need to do next and set yourself deadlines. For example, identify when the application deadline is, gain appropriate work experience and book a CV review appointment. Continue your research into companies you are applying to Will the employer be on-campus again for recruitment presentations or skills workshops? Such activities provide useful company insights and top tips for the application process and are another networking opportunity. Other useful sources of information include annual reports, industry publications and journals. For more information on how to research employers go to: www.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/researchemployers Update your social media accounts Create a LinkedIn account if you haven’t already done so or update your profile. Connect with relevant people, groups or companies to enhance your network and increase your commercial and industry awareness. Invest time in building your network and keeping in touch with them. Watch our LinkedIn screencasts on our website. Review your Facebook and Twitter accounts – do they present a professional image? Check your privacy settings and use an appropriate profile picture. www.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/onlinenetworking

After the fair Reflect on the information you have gathered Which employers and what roles do you want to apply for as a result of attending the fair? What information did you gather to inform and enhance your future applications? Are there any areas you need to develop to improve your chances of success in the application process?

Finally… If you need additional advice or support on the day, come and visit our stand. Don’t forget to provide feedback on how useful you found the fair and any suggestions for improvement.

Send a follow-up email to anyone who gave you their business card Emails should thank them for their time, refer to the conversation you had and if relevant, confirm that you will be applying to the company and why. You can also use this email to ask any additional questions.

We’re here to help, get in touch: Careers and Employability Service The University of Nottingham Portland Building Level D West University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD United Kingdom

www.nottingham.ac.uk/careers

Tel: 0115 951 3680 careers-team@nottingham.ac.uk www.nottingham.ac.uk/careers /CareersUoN @UoNCareers

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Careers and Employability Service