If you are hoping to bag yourself an opportunity at the Health and Business School’s Fairs, good, confident networking skills are a must!

Your first step to success is to do a bit of research beforehand. In each of our event blog posts (Health and Business School), we have included links to all of the employers’ websites. Use this as an opportunity to find out about each of them, and to see who you might want to prioritise a visit to on the day. Once you have chosen some companies you’d like to talk to, do further research into what they offer and what working for them may be like.

In the run-up to the events, preparation is advisable for whatever your aims are for the day. It can help to make notes on points you want to ask employers, as well as taking a pen and notepad with you to log their answers.

[symple_box color=”blue” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]Tip: If you want to make an impression, it pays to dress well. We don’t necessarily advise a full 3 piece suit or cocktail dress, but we do recommend not choosing a networking fair to wear your favourite slouchy clothes. First impressions really do count and if you are hoping to work somewhere, you will want to be memorable for the right reasons. Even though the fair may be taking place at your university, it does not mean that you can slack off. These employers are coming in from across the UK to find fantastic students to join their teams. Show that you’re one of CCCU’s!
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Another important thing to remember about networking fairs: although there may be companies you have your heart set on, there are a wealth of other opportunities available to you, all under one roof. Use these events as a chance to talk through opportunities you may not have previously considered and hear directly from the employer.

There are some fantastic articles out there on networking at careers fairs. Here a few we recommend you take a look at:

• 5 ways to make the most of careers fairs
• Careers event tips – what to wear and how to prepare
• How to network at careers events

And general:

• Networking tips for graduate job hunters

If you would like to discuss networking with a member of the team, make sure to visit the drop-in desk.