Getting the most out of employer events – from first year to final year

Chichi Kabaso (MSc Eng and Business, 2018) secured her graduate job last summer. Here she explains why it’s worth taking advantage of every opportunity to meet employers throughout your time at university.

When I attended my first employer event in first year, I left with some brightly branded canvas bags and a pack of free jellybeans. With time, I quickly discovered that there was much greater value in employer events than free goodies, regardless of your year of study. The benefits of attending careers fairs, presentation talks or industry dinners will differ each year but can prove incredibly valuable if approached with the right strategy.

Early years:

Learn about companies and where you best fit in.

When attending your first careers events, it is best to do some brief research about the companies before the event. At the event you can ask questions based on your research and find out what they offer for first and second years such as insight days, spring weeks, training courses or even games and challenges.

Many companies do the same thing but not all companies do it the same way.

It’s easy to tell whether you will fit into a company just by spending a day at their office. This will help you narrow down your applications in later years so you can concentrate on better quality applications to fewer companies rather than sending out hundreds of applications to companies that are not the right fit for you. In my early years of university, I attended several insight days at investment banking firms but was quick to realise I did not enjoy the working environment or the company culture. This allowed me to realise the importance of choosing not just the right job but the right company as well.

Later years:

Obtain hints and tips to stand out in applications.

Many companies offer internships and work placements to students in their 3rd and 4th years. By attending employer events, you can speak to employees about the application process to gain hints and tips for success. If the application involves aptitude tests, ask which type of tests or what service they use for their tests to enable to you to prepare best for them. Find out whether they recruit on a rolling basis or after the deadline. For example, some larger companies will close applications once they have received enough good applications while others review all applications after the deadline.

Network, Network, Network

Networking at events will allow you to grow your contacts list. Be friendly and professional to make a good impression as you may be talking to the person that will interview you in future! You may be able to ask for email addresses of employees to ask for quick help or advice as you apply to roles.

Strengthen your applications

Every application will contain the timeless question: “Why do you want to work here”. While a company’s website and social media can give a brief overview of why it is the greatest company ever, asking people who work there about their experience will give you a better insight and allow you to compose a more unique answer to this question and even reference the specific people you spoke to. Gaining a better understanding of how the company operates and their culture will allow you to stand out in interviews and applications.

Find all our fairs and employer presentations listed on the Events tab in MyCareerHub.

Image Copyright University of Edinburgh

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