Preparing for jobs fairs
We offer Graduate Jobs Fairs in Semester 1 and Semester 2. Check our What's on page or Handshake for dates and times. You'll get more out of these fairs if you spend some time preparing in advance.
Our tips for preparing yourself are:
- Check the dates and times of the event, and register on Handshake
- Look at the list of exhibitors and decide which organisations interest you the most
- Research their websites to find out more about them
We've created a range of resources to help you understand how graduate recruitment works, including:
- Graduate jobs page
- Finding, applying and interviewing pages for help with CVs, applications, assessments and interviews
- Application forms video
- Networking advice
If you want some inspiration for ideas of what you could be doing when you graduate, take a look at these:
- Exploring your options web pages
- Prospects: What can I do with my degree?
- Find out what other York graduates have done - visit York Profiles and Mentors and filter to what you are interested in
- Check out our podcast, What do you actually do? where we interview graduates for career inspiration, top tips and insider knowledge in a wide range of jobs and sectors.
- Job fairs offer you the chance to talk to company employees in a fairly informal environment. You'll be able to find out about the organisation and the roles they're offering. And you'll get a better feel for the culture of the organisation and whether it's a good fit for you.
- Do your research beforehand - check who's coming to the fair. Use company websites to find out as much as possible about the company: its work, values, culture and current news or challenges. You can then talk to employers at the fair to ask further questions - and show them you've already been motivated enough to find out about their organisation!
- Have a shortlist of employers you're especially interested in, but keep an open mind and look at others too - they might have just what you're looking for. Look beyond the company name - company identity and sector are important, but remember that any company will have a variety of roles, eg tech companies employ people for marketing and HR roles as well as those with technical skills.
- TargetJobs have some useful tips: How to make the most of graduate job fairs.
- If you feel nervous about approaching an employer at the fair, help is available! Whether you find the situation difficult because of a disability or health condition, anxiety or any other reason, come and talk to us on the Careers and Placements stand. A member of our team will be happy to have a chat with you and then help initiate your conversation with an employer.
Look out for our Prepare for the fair event on 30 April specifically for international students.
Visa options
Make sure you understand your visa options if you are hoping to stay and work in the UK after completing your course. We have information on Graduate jobs in the UK, and the University's Immigration Advice Service has advice on Working in the UK after your studies.
Talking to employers
Be aware that asking about salary and visa sponsorship is not the best way to start a conversation with an employer at the fair! They want to hear something about your skills, experience and enthusiasm, and to see that you have a genuine interest in their organisation. You could say something like: I am studying International Management here, and am really interested in opportunities in xxxx – could you tell me a bit more about the xxxx programme on your website? Ask questions about the company’s values and culture, projects and training. Some of the people on the stand are probably recent graduates so ask them about their experience of the graduate training scheme.
Think about what you can offer, your strengths and motivation: as well as skills acquired through your course, you might bring cultural knowledge and awareness, language skills, understanding of global markets…
The employer representatives at the fair are unlikely to be immigration experts and are probably not the best people to talk to about visa sponsorship. So do your research, decide which companies you are most interested in and leave questions about visas and sponsorship until later in the recruitment process (interview or job offer).
Some of the organisations attending the fair (eg government departments / security-related) may have nationality or residence requirements, meaning they are unable to offer jobs to international applicants.
While most of the attendees are likely to be undergraduates or taught Masters students, postgraduate researchers are also welcome to come to the fairs.
This short video by our Careers consultant for PGRs will help you make the most of the fair:
