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Technology Fair

The information on this page refers to the fair held on 23 October 2019. For information about events with employers in autumn 2020, please see the events programme.

Students with disabilities or conditions which may be a barrier to accessing the fair when it is busy can book an early access ticket on Eventbrite, to arrive from 11.30

 

This fair features organisations recruiting for graduate and placement schemes in the Technology / STEM field.‌

Facebook icon  Register your interest on our Facebook event.

Employer listing of organisations attending

Choose a format:

Prepare for the fair

How to prepare

You'll get much more out of the recruitment fairs (and make a great impression!) if you prepare in advance:

  • Check who is coming - read the exhibitor profiles (see below) and identify which companies interest you the most
  • Research companies' websites so you can talk with their representatives about what interests you and ask relevant questions
  • Think about the questions you'd like to ask, possibly including
    • roles available
    • the recruitment process
    • skills, experience and qualities sought
    • career development, training and qualifications you might study for
    • company ethos
  • Think about yourself, your skills and what interests you so you can answer employers' questions about
    • what attracts you to a particular role
    • your relevant skills and experience
    • what you know about the sector/industry
  • Look at our Networking page for tips on talking to employers, and get the employer's view from How to talk to employers at careers fairs by RateMyPlacement
  • Read our Careers Blog: Careers fairs - what are the benefits?

If you'd like to chat with one of the Careers and Placements team before the fair, come to a drop-in (Mon-Fri 11.00-13.00) or speak to a member of staff at the Careers and Placements information desk.

On the day

  • Arrive in good time, dressed appropriately. Suits are not necessary, but don’t be too casually dressed (avoid shorts or ripped jeans!)
  • Consider which employers you will approach first. Don’t leave your targeted ones until last, but you may want to approach others first for practice!
  • Smile and use a firm (but not too strong!) handshake when meeting the employer’s representative(s)
  • Engage in meaningful discussions with people on the stands
  • Take paper and a pen, and when you have finished a conversation, note who you talked to and any useful information you gathered
  • Remember other students want to talk to employers too. Keep your discussions focused
  • Don’t wander aimlessly, collecting freebies!

International students

Visa Options

If you hope to stay on to work in the UK after your degree or Masters, you will need to have a firm job offer and change your visa status before your current visa expires. This may be by getting a job with an organisation on the UK’s Sponsor Register, who can sponsor your Tier 2 visa application, or you may be able to secure short term work experience via the Tier 5 route. Find out more on our pages for international students (Working after studies section). We recommend you read this information before the fair.

Organisations attending the fairs tend to be recruiting into graduate schemes, where Tier 2 would be the appropriate route. You can check before the fair whether an organisation is already registered as a Visa sponsor, but note this does not guarantee that they will be recruiting and sponsoring international candidates this year.

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 (see the section above, Prepare for the fair) and leave questions about visas and sponsorship until later in the recruitment process (interview or job offer).

Work-based visas after graduation session

Tuesday 22 October, 10.00-11.00, P/L/001 - a presentation by immigration lawyers from Blacks Solicitors LLP, followed by the chance to book an individual appointment. Find out more and book your place in Careers Gateway.

Organisations attending the fair

Full programme and organisation profiles to follow.