Your future: prepare for the Virtual Careers Fair
The Virtual Law Fair is coming up on Wednesday 21 October and the Virtual Careers Fair on Wednesday 4 November.
You’ll use the Careers Fair Plus app to browse the range of exhibiting organisations and find out about their opportunities. You can book one-to-one meetings with employers you’re interested in, or join an exhibitor drop-in room or webinar.
If you’re planning to come along or want to know more about these events first, read on for our tips.
- Make sure you’ve downloaded the app. Visit our Law Fair and Careers Fair pages for guidance on how to download the app and use the various features.
- When you go to book a one-to-one meeting you’ll need to set up your candidate profile – you can choose to upload your CV and include some ‘headline’ details about yourself.
- Some exhibitors will be accepting CVs at the fairs. Make sure your CV is up-to-date and the best it can be. You can find out more about getting your CV ready and you can also get it reviewed by the Careers team.
- Find out who’s there. The app makes this easy – just click the employer and find out a bit about them and what roles they have on offer. You can also filter by degree subject.
- Plan who you would like to speak to and do your research! You can look on their website and search online for some recent news stories. This will give you ideas for questions to ask during your meeting, as well as helping you to make a great impression.
- On the app, check which exhibitors will be doing what. Most employers will be offering one-to-one meetings and some are using drop-in rooms too. Keep an eye out for webinars as well.
- Prepare what to say. The employers you’d like to meet really want to hear from you too. You could start with a short overview of your background, studies and career goals and then ask some questions, such as ‘What’s a typical day like?’ or ‘What do you look for in an applicant?’
On the day
- Dress professionally. Dressing smartly will help you feel more professional and boost your confidence, as well as making a good impression on the employer.
- Find a quiet spot with a good internet connection and think about your background. Make sure you arrive in good time. Smile and make eye contact – just as you would in a real-life meeting.
- Remember it’s not an interview (although an employer might remember you!) but it is a great opportunity to find out if the employer is right for you. It will also help you when you apply for their jobs.
To find out more about making the most of these events, come along to one of our Preparing for a Careers Fair sessions.
Plus: finding a mentor
Did you know that as a Sussex student you can benefit from the expertise and skills of thousands of graduates?
A mentor can help you build skills, figure out what interests you, successfully apply for work opportunities and be a new friend. Your mentor can provide you with both professional and personal development, inspiration and encouragement.
There are a number of ways to get involved in mentoring at Sussex, including through the Sussex Connect platform. Learn more about why mentoring matters.
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