Prepare for the Fair

Prepare for the Fair - IT, Science and Engineering & Business Careers Fairs Make the most of the day UoS_CareerDestinations Career Destinations www.southampton.ac.uk/careers careers@southampton.ac.uk UoS_Careers

This session will cover: • What is a careers fair? • Preparation and research • Objectives • First Impressions • Reflection and follow up • Next steps Image: freedigitalphotos.net

What is a careers fair? . . . . . Is it… • To network with graduate recruiters? • To raise your profile with potential employers? • To gather information and insight? • To secure interviews? • To grab some freebies? ?

Why you should attend? • A rare opportunity to get ‘face time’ with potential employers. • All of the companies have actively booked to attend this Fair! They want to recruit students from Southampton. • Make the most of it!

Why should you attend? An opportunity to: • Network with graduate recruiters and alumni • Raise your profile with potential employers • Impress them with your preparedness • Gather further information and insights • Compare company cultures

Preparation • Look at the list of exhibitors: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/careers/ • Decide which companies interest you. • Consider going to both fairs, many employers are recruiting for a range of graduate schemes • Remember that you might not have heard of some exhibitors but that doesn’t mean they aren’t of interest

Research The first aim of the research is two-fold: 1. Are you interested in working there? 2. Might they be interested in hiring you? With your list of possible exhibitors to speak to: • Start some more focused research • Decide on objectives for each organisation

Research There are several information sources you can use: - Fair brochure (available to download online and in hardcopy from Career Destinations) - Company websites (links on exhibitor list) - Company profiles on websites like targetjobs.co.uk, 10 Minutes With, Linked-In - Graduate Directories and other books/resources • General online search http://www.southampton.ac.uk/careers/

What should you research? Each target company • Allows you to sound more informed & professional • Helps you to clarify your objectives for the fair The Basics • What does the company do? • What roles are they recruiting interns/graduates for? • Which academic subjects are they targeting? • What competencies do they look for?

What should you research? Specific Information: • What is the application deadline? • What does the recruitment process look like? • Where would you be based? • What training & development do they offer? • What is their company culture? • Company mission / values statements

What should you research? Finding out the detail – potential questions? • What is the starting salary? (Don’t ask this one first!) • What happens when the graduate scheme ends? • What would you do on a day-to-day basis?

Self Assessment Don’t forget they will want to know about you too! • How do you meet their requirements? - have examples • University projects, previous work experience, positions with societies, examples of teamwork & leadership are typical things that will make you stand out • Update your CV – get feedback from Career Destinations or book an employer CV clinic at the Fair • Update your on-line profiles – and set security settings Find advice on our website: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/careers/students/applying/cvs.html

Next step: set your objectives Examples: • Pick up a company brochure • Find out the best time to apply, or when placements will be advertised • Get contact details of the right person to apply to • Establish whether your expected degree grade/A level tariff will be good enough for consideration • Networking – build a relationship and get contact details – eg with UoS alumnus

Objectives • Find out more about the competencies they are looking for (e.g. leadership skills, commercial awareness) • Would you work with other graduates in a team, or alone? • What training and development do they offer graduates? • Get a greater insight into the culture & working environment of the company • Find out specific details (e.g. where would I be working?) • When would interviews/assessment centres take place? What happens at the assessment centre?

After all that hard work, don’t let it go to waste by forgetting some of the basics… FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT!

First Impressions Timing • Allow enough time to speak to all of the employers you have targeted and achieve your objectives. • Arrive early enough to get your bearings and feel comfortable • It gets very busy, especially at lunchtimes • To get their full attention you may have to queue, come back later, start at the back of the room, be patient • Don’t leave it until the end of the day! Some employers may have left early.

First Impressions How should you dress? • Many students get this one wrong. • Remember you are presenting yourself as a potential employee so dress accordingly. • You don’t necessarily need to be‘suited and booted’ but should be smart.

First Impressions • Be confident and assertive, without being arrogant or demanding • Body language: shake their hand, make eye contact, smile • Remember, personal space and hygiene • Fairs are HOT and crowded • Listen carefully - take notes • If there are other students vying for their attention, be courteous and polite, maybe walk away and come back later • Usually best to approach representatives on your own • Be aware that they may be short of time so don’t hang around unnecessarily

FirstImpressions • Hello, I have just graduated in Civil Engineering and I am interested in applying for your graduate scheme. Could I ask you a few details? • Umm..alright?...I need a job…umm…I have just started my masters degree and don’t know where to start….what is it that you do? • Hi, my name’s James and you need to employ me. Trust me, I’m the best there is. You may as well take my CV and go home.

To CV or not CV? • Some employers will accept CVs at a careers fair • Usually, you will be asked to apply online or email your CV • Take a few copies; put it on a memory stick – tailor it to the companies you are interested in, try not to use a very generic CV • If you are asked for a CV and you don’t have one/need to tailor it, ask for the best contact details and send the next day: • Don’t the lose the good impression through delay • Book a CV review in advance

Reflection Fairs are hard work, but speedy follow up may be needed: • After the fair, go over your notes and think about what you have achieved / discovered • Compile a ‘to-do’ list – email a contact, apply for a role, send in your CV, Link-up … • If you agreed to apply or send in more information – do it as soon as you can. • If you have someone’s contact details, think of another question and email them the next day.

Questions

In Summary: • Compile a list of target exhibitors • Do your research • Put together a list of questions / objectives for each employer • First impressions count • Allow enough time • Review and follow-up • Download the Fair Brochure, Top Tips and some sample questions to ask • www.southampton.ac.uk/careeers

Pinterest: http://gb.pinterest.com/uoscareers/

Career Destinations • Building 37, Highfield Campus • careers@southampton.ac.uk • +44 (0)23 8059 3501 www.southampton.ac.uk/careers UoS_CareerDestinations UoS_Careers

Prepare for the Fair - IT, Science and Engineering & Business Careers Fairs