Career Fairs

Career fairs

If you’re in your final year at university and starting to look at job options, one of the things you should definitely do is attend a career fair (or ideally, as many as you can). A career fair can be a great way to get a feel for the kind of jobs available and the companies offering them, as well as an opportunity to get some networking done.

Many career fairs now run in a blended way, with both on‑campus and virtual events, which means you can often attend online even if you are on placement, studying at a distance or based overseas.

But what exactly will you gain from attending a career fair?

Interview skills

Some career fairs have on‑the‑day interviews, meaning you may well be able to have a couple that day. Even if you don’t get a job through these, it is vital practice. In addition, many also have mock interviews and sessions teaching about the best tips and tricks, so it’s worthwhile attending to get some experience.

Beyond this, even just talking to the recruiters on their stalls can give you practise on how to answer common questions, and to give your best impression.

Industry information

You’ll get the chance to ask recruiters questions, as well as being questioned by them. This is a great way to find out about how different companies operate, and work out just what they’re looking for. Of course, you shouldn’t be using this time to find out the basics – that’s what the internet and research is for. Instead, you’ll want to use this chance to find out things you otherwise might not be able to, such as workplace culture, typical projects, or skills they particularly value.

Many fairs also include short employer talks or panel discussions, where recent graduates share their own routes into roles and offer advice on applications and assessment centres.

CVs and other advice

Want to put together a standout CV? Many career fairs have ‘CV clinics’ or bookable sessions giving you information on how to write cover letters, have the most up‑to‑date resume, or how to approach applications. If you’re not sure on any of this, make sure to book these well in advance as they’re usually very popular.

At some events you can also get quick feedback on your LinkedIn profile or online presence, which is increasingly important for graduate‑level and postgraduate‑level roles.

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Graduate career fairs

Career Fairs In order to make the most of graduate careers fairs, you’ll want to be prepared.

Here are some top tips to make the most of the day.

1. Dress well

Wear something professional. It doesn’t have to be full black tie, but don’t turn up in jeans and a t‑shirt either. Aim for something that you’d wear to an interview.

2. Prepare in advance

Look up which companies are attending, research them and have a plan in mind for who you want to see and what you want to ask them. This’ll make sure you get the most out of the day.

For virtual fairs, check the event platform in advance, complete your profile, upload your CV and test your audio and camera so you are ready for any one‑to‑one video chats with employers.

3. Walk around alone

As helpful as your parents or your friends may wish to be, going round alone shows that you’re independent, confident and know what you’re looking for. You’ll come across as much more professional and ready to be hired that way. Plus, you’ll be able to concentrate more on the task in hand.

4. Take your CV

Not all employers in attendance will accept CVs, but many will, so you’ll want to have a nice stack with you. Don’t make the mistake of letting them get creased or folding them into your pocket though – having a nice binder will keep them flat and give you a surface to write on when taking notes. It will also create a much better impression.

For online fairs, have a PDF version saved with a clear file name and be ready to share it via the event platform or follow up by email after a good conversation with a recruiter.

5. Take notes

Whether it’s the name of someone you got on well with to name‑drop, contact details or simply some useful information you didn’t know, keeping a notebook (or your phone notes) with you to fill with useful things is definitely worthwhile.

Make a habit of following up after the fair – connect with recruiters or alumni on LinkedIn, send a brief thank‑you message if appropriate, and refer back to your notes when tailoring applications.

Graduate career fairs in the UK

What graduate career fairs in the UK are there? Well, it depends on what you’re looking for. There are general graduate career fairs, which are open to everyone, and there are postgraduate career fairs, or subject‑specific career fairs.

The best place to start is by looking at what your university offers, whether you’re a current student or an alumnus. It may be smaller than some of the nationwide ones, but it will also have less people in attendance.

Once you’ve done that, see if there are any subject‑specific ones. This means you’ll be able to make use of all the resources available on the day and talk to employers who are actively targeting your discipline or level of study.

Finally, keep an eye out for them being advertised via university emails, careers portals and social media. Often, they’ll require you to sign up in advance, so make sure you plan ahead.

Read our essential information on Career Paths.