How do you as a visitor prepare to go to a job fair? What should you talk to companies about? Getting a good conversation started with an employer is not always easy, but Per Norberg, who is the studentrepresentative for Unionen Skaraborg / Väst, has compiled tips in three categories: How to prepare, What you can ask companies about and What you can tell them about yourself!
3 Tips to Prepare Before the Fair
- Update your CV
- Update your LinkedIn profile (or start one)
- Find out which exhibitors will be on site
- Which employers are looking for your skills?
- Which employers are you interested in?
- Is there an employer you did not know but who seems interesting?
- Read about the companies you are interested in, here on the website or on their personal websites.
- Think of relevant questions
Do you want help with your CV? One of the Union’s membership services is precisely the review of CVs and personal letters. The Union also offers CV tips (in Swedish) here!
6 Tips About What You Can Ask the Exhibitors
Introduce yourself. Try to remember what the person’s name is (and make a note on your phone). It’s much nicer with an application that says ”At Career Fair Framtid I talked to Anna with your company”, rather than just ”I talked to someone”. Ask questions, preferably so that they have to answer more than yes or no.
1. Create an overview
- What do you think is the best thing about working here?
- What do you work with in the workplace?
- How long have you been at work? Have you changed jobs?
- What would you say are the most important competencies and qualities for success on the job and within the company / organization?
2. The work in practice
- What does a normal working day at the job look like?
- Is it mostly work from the office, or can you work elsewhere?
- How much of the work is done individually, and how much is done together?
3. The company’s situation
- What has the development been like for the company in recent years? What does the future hold?
- How many employees are there? Has it increased or decreased in recent years?
4. The company’s work culture
- What does the leadership look like? What are the requirements for the employees?
- Do you have any keywords / values / culture? What do they look like and how is it in practice?
5. Inputs and development opportunities
- Do you offer summer jobs / extra jobs / thesis jobs? How often does this lead to later employment?
- For me as a newcomer to the profession and possibly to your workplace, what are the opportunities for skills development and continued career at the company / organization?
6. Benefits
- Are there collective agreements? Are there trade union representatives at the workplace / company?
- What are the benefits as an employee?
By finding out more about the workplace and the company, you can create an overview of what is required to work with them, and whether there is something that matches who you are and how you think. When you know more about the company’s situation, culture, or work in a purely practical way, you can then direct your CV to meet those requirements.
What can you tell them about yourself?
- Why you are interested in this particular company / job
Show interest in the particular employer you are talking to and the type of work they offer, what interests you about them and that. - Why you think this job suits you
Tell us about what you learned from your studies, and what you have done in the past in work and other experiences that you can take with you to that job. - What you are good at, what your strengths are
Select 2-3 properties. - What you can contribute to the employer
- What you most want to work with and why
What is your goal and your passion in working life? Show what you are passionate about. - What is important to you at a workplace
What type of work tasks? Culture? Values? - Where you would like to be in 5 years
Show ambition and will to develop. Just remember that you have to start somewhere to be able to develop, and do not have to develop directly for a higher position.
Also check out the Job Guide on the Union’s website – a service that gives you tips, advice, and checklists, and that supports you on the way to your job. It helps you on your careerpath, wherever you may be.
