Preparing for jobs fairs

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 for Life

• 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.

• Conversation starters: here are some suggestions to help you start your conversation with an employer at the fair.

• 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.

Using the fair strategically

The employers who visit university campuses are usually recruiting to graduate recruitment schemes, which often do not fit with post study visa options. Some of the organisations attending the fair (e.g. government departments) may have nationality or residence requirements, meaning they are unable to offer jobs to international applicants. Whilst there are rare cases where some employers present may hire international graduates, we recommend you focus on using the fair to gain UK sector knowledge and networking experience to assist your wider job hunt.

When you speak to employers, remember they want to hear something about your skills, experience and enthusiasm, and to see that you have a genuine interest in their sector. Here are some suggestions to help you start your conversation with an employer at the fair.

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, and understanding of global markets. Ask the employers how they think you could use these qualities in their industry.

Looking for work in the UK after your studies

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.

You can find information about graduate jobs in the UK for international students on our website. As a University of York student, you also have access to Interstride, which allows you to search for UK roles with employers who hold a skilled worker visa license, and also for roles which explicitly say they will sponsor for that position. You could see what roles are available before the fair, identify which employers coming are from the same (or a relevant) industry, and then use the fair to gain sector knowledge ahead of applying.

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:

https://youtu.be/g-eiuDuR_rs