The value of meet ‘n’ greet – visiting careers fairs

July 14, 2023

A new year, a new round of careers fairs. Whether you are a school leaver seeking an apprenticeship or internship, aiming to go to university, or chasing a graduate programme, there is a plethora of options out there and career fairs provide the opportunity to meet universities and potential employers.

At Signify, we are always on the hunt for young talent as we understand the strengths and value they bring to the workplace- from fresh skills, to questioning processes, to bringing new ideas – the list goes on! One of the best ways for us to connect with this future workforce and for the future workforce to understand what any organisation can offer is by attending careers fairs. Not only do they allow us to get first hand research and feedback, but they also allow us to gauge interest points for this young generation and make sure we continue to be attractive to the future talent.

In the case of the students, careers fairs create a space of opportunity and inspiration. They can open minds to the prospects of the workplace and bust the myth that the only route after college/school is university. Read on to understand why careers fairs are a great option for any business and students, and why we at Signify enjoy them so much.

I believe careers fairs are a great resource for students to explore prospective jobs, whether it be straight out of college into an apprenticeship, or a post graduate full-time role.

It is so easy to get lost in job opportunities online, especially when you are unsure of the career direction you want to head in. For students, careers fairs are a great way to filter opportunities, and businesses too, promoting roles that are best suited to the younger generation - we get to target specific roles to the specific demographic. Similarly, the colleges that host the fairs get a chance to inspire and motivate their students for the future of work. Career fairs also provide opportunity for employers to enhance brand awareness.

While Google may seem like all you need to job hunt, there are many advantages to in person careers that you may not have considered.

Get familiar: A careers fair gives you the opportunity with an employer or the team representing the firm. This helps you get familiar with them, their brand and the kind of work they do – something you can’t find out from a simple google search and can’t gauge from a simple job description posted online.

Networking opportunities: A professional network is critical for finding a good job. It also opens up other opportunities that may not be obvious immediately. Building your network offers you the chance to show someone that you are trustworthy and skilled. You might not find a job at your first careers fair, but you may end up with a contact who can help you find a job down the road. While you can build a network through online sources, meeting someone face to face builds trust and respect much faster.

Learning beyond textbooks: Most job fairs at colleges and universities offer more than just the opportunity to meet with recruiters. Many of them offer seminars and lectures on how to land a job. You can learn about an industry, skills to hone, and get help brushing up your resume. You can learn new interview skills; you can learn about the job search resources available on your college/university campus. Yes, in some cases you can get these same skills with online courses, but without the personal touch.

Personal research: The main reason everyone should give a careers fair a chance is for research. Whether it be gaining insight into all the opportunities that are present nowadays, developing a clearer understanding of the world of work, or even finding a potential career path, you will gain a far more rounded opinion of the opportunities available and how you will advance in the future.

If you are unsure about your career and the options available to you, I think careers fairs are the best place to window shop and understand what all is on the market. From deciding which industry interests you, to specific roles, they are a great way to help you imagine where you want to go and how to get there with relevant experience.