Top 5 Tips for making the most of the Graduate and Placement Recruitment Fair
The countdown to the Graduate and Placement Recruitment Fair is on! You may never have been to a recruitment fair before and you may not know what to do, what to ask or how to network. But don’t worry, here’s our Top 5 Tips to help you make the most of it.
1.) Remember, first impressions are important
You should treat attending the fair and engaging with employers like an interview scenario; how you come across will be important to your success. Make sure your appearance is neat and your conduct professional. Make sure you are prepared with your CV so if an employer requests one, you come across as organised and efficient.
2.) Spread out!
There are over forty employers signed up to exhibit at the fair. It’s important to research the organisations you’re interested in beforehand to ensure your visit is productive. But don’t be too quick to dismiss an organisation you may not have heard of before, or think won’t be of interest to you. You never know what opportunities are available and you don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket, so spread out during the fair and meet as many employers as possible.
3.) Pack a fair survival kit
To successfully navigate the fair and increase your likeliness of bagging an interview, make sure you pack a survival kit. Include:
- Multiple copies of your CV
- A list of questions you may have, such as when does your main recruitment take place? Or how many positions do you have available?
- A notepad and pen
- A bottle of water
- Cereal bar/chocolate bar to keep you going
Don’t forget to collect your goodie bag on arrival, so you can put any materials you collect inside to keep safe.
4.) Be proactive before and after the fair
As we’ve mentioned before, research organisations you are interested in prior to the fair. Employers will be impressed if you are able to display knowledge and insight into their company early on. But the work doesn’t stop after the fair! Follow up any possible job opportunities with phone calls, emails and application forms. Roles are often highly competitive so being proactive and on the ball will show employers you are passionate about joining them.
5.) Brush up on your CV, Cover Letter and Interview skills
If it’s been a while since you updated your CV, the time is now! You wouldn’t want a great opportunity to pass you by because you have never written a cover letter before.