Attending our Careers Fairs, workshops and panel events is one of the best ways to explore the range of opportunities available to you while you study and when you graduate.
Each year we organise a number of careers events, in addition to Employability Month in February, which are open to students from every discipline and level of study. At the fairs and events, you'll not only be able to network with top employers about placements, part-time work and graduate jobs, but you can also hear the experiences of Westminster graduates who are now working for them.
For the latest updates on career events and how you can book a place, see our events on Engage.
If you make the most of these great opportunities you could come away with a number of very useful contacts in your industry of choice, or even having secured an interview.
Preparing for an event
- Get a list of the employers who are attending and plan who you want to visit or meet with. A list of attendees will be on the Events page on Engage – for fairs research your top ten employers
- Write down five specific questions you would like to ask the employers about their company
- Prepare a tailored CV to take with you on the day
We know that networking can be daunting, so we have prepared a virtual careers fair toolkit on the QAA website to support you for your next online event. There are also multiple articles on the Careers blog to support you with developing those vital networking skills.
What to expect
Make sure that you:
- Dress smartly – first impressions are important if you want to be remembered
- Be attentive, confident and polite
- Make a note of people you have spoken to so that you can refer to them during the recruitment process
- Be proactive and engaging with the company representatives, ask specific questions about the company or the graduate roles available
- Be prepared to talk about yourself and what makes you a credible candidate for their firm
- Be open-minded – there may be employers present who have interesting opportunities that you may not yet have considered
- Bring copies of your CV and research the companies attending beforehand that match your interests, values and experiences
And make sure that you do not:
- Follow everyone else around and listen while someone else asks the questions
- Walk up to a representative and ask what their company does, what salary they pay or what you could do. You should already know what they do and which position is best suited to your skills
After the event
- Make a list of the companies you want to follow up with, along with their application closing dates
- Send a follow-up email to any contacts you made, thanking them for their time
- Start to prepare your applications for the companies you are most interested in
For more information about the careers fairs and how you can book a place, see Events on Engage.