Every year thousands of students and graduates flock to career fairs to learn more about their options. These events are the perfect chance to meet and greet potential employers, and give you a taste of different industries. So how do you make the most of the day?
“Find out which companies are coming and make a shortlist of those you would most like to visit,” advises Helen Stringer, careers services manager at the University of Warwick. “Then familiarise yourself with company websites. This will help you later on when you come to meet the employer.”
It’s also a great way to make your application stand out from the crowd. “Make a strong impression on the day and you could find yourself invited for an interview or, at least, strongly encouraged to apply,” adds Stringer.
So, ahead of London Graduate Fair in October, we’re hosting a live debate on how to make the most of these events. Join us on Wednesday 28 September from 1pm–2.30pm BST for a Q&A with our expert panel. We’ll be discussing:
- How to make the most of graduate career fairs
- What to expect at a career fair
- CV, cover letter and job interview advice
The Q&A takes place in the comments section below this article. Taking part is easier than ever: create a free Guardian account or log in using your Twitter or Facebook profile to comment. Alternatively, you can tweet us @GuardianCareers or email your questions to charlotte.seager@theguardian.com who can post them for you.
Panel
Dasha Amrom is a founder and managing director of Career Coaching Ventures – a career coaching consultancy. Career Coaching Ventures provides career coaching, CV and cover letter advice.
Andrew Fennell is the director of StandOut CV, a London-based CV writing service. Fennell has previously worked as a senior recruitment consultant across multiple industries.
Sarah Archer is an experienced career coach and co-founder of CareerTree. She specialises in career change, along with graduate job hunting, CV and interview advice.
Lydia Fairman is an HR and resourcing specialist, who owns HR and recruitment consultancy, Fairman Consulting. Fairman also offers free CV advice, interview guidance and careers blogs to help job seekers succeed.
Sophie Graham is a careers adviser for the National Careers Service, specialising in matching young people and graduates to careers. Graham also works for the National Careers Service Helpline and regularly attends careers fairs, UCAS events, Skills Shows and Employment Roadshows.
Jon Gregory is a job search, application and interview specialist. He’s the author of Winning That Job, editor of win-that-job.com and has spent many years providing career development advice to students.
Lisa LaRue is owner of CareerWorx, and a registered career coach with over 18 years’ experience helping people plan, manage and find happiness in their work and careers.
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