Job fairs are a great platform for employers and job seekers to get to know each other. Best case, the visit of a job fair is the initial spark of a new job. Therefore, a solid preparation is the key. With our tips you will be well prepared and able to impress your dream-employer.
1) Plan your visit
Get an overview of the various job fair formats and decide what meets your wishes and expectations best. Whether regional, industry-specific, large recruitment event or a small fair on a university campus – everywhere you will get the chance to collect information and get in direct contact with your dream-employer.
Tip: Plan your journey thoroughly to make sure you arrive on time and get the most out of the day.
Another tip: Bring some cash to buy snacks at the fair.
Here is a list of the biggest job fairs in 2019 in Switzerland. Note: Some events have a registration deadline.
2) Preparation is key
To get the most out of your fair visit, select specific companies you would like to meet at the fair beforehand. Inform yourself about their core business and current topics, the latter works well with Google News. At some job fairs you can arrange meetings with companies beforehand already. Keep in mind: Less is often more. Schedule rather a few meetings than many short and shallow ones. Plan generously, so you don't permanently have to keep an eye on the time.
Tip: Allow for time for additional services, such as CV coaching, styling tips and photo shootings for resume photos. First come, first serve usually applies here.
3) Prepare a short application
Companies usually don't accept full applications at job fairs. Thus, prepare a short application with your updates CV including a photo and your contact information. Print it out multiple copies and bring them with you. You can add a brief cover note to your CV in which you note where you have met (name of the fair, date, place) – the company representatives usually visit many fairs and this helps them to relate.
Tip: When approaching a booth at a fair, have a copy of your short application ready (one, not all of them!). Rummaging in your bag while speaking would not leave a good impression.
4) Well-groomed appearance and confident behaviour
A job fair is a professional event – you should dress and behave accordingly. Choose an outfit that makes you feel comfortable and that you would wear to a job interview, for example smart casual.
Tip: Don't forget your hands, they should be neat, too. Bring a small hand lotion to keep them fresh during the day.
Always act naturally and be yourself; be polite, confident and attentive – and on time in meetings. Actively approach companies and introduce yourself with self-confidence. Don't be too straight to the point but rather begin with casual small talk as an ice breaker. Ask specific questions in the course of your conversation. This shows that you prepared well and you will get answers at first hand. Say goodbye politely after your conversation with a handshake, thank him/her for his/her time and ask for his/her direct contact details.
Tip: Note down keywords of your conversation on the back of his/her business card; this will help you keep track later on.
5) Stay in touch
Your conversations went well and you are sincerely interested in joining a company? It is crucial to stay in touch with your dream-employer, either with a follow-up email or through online networks. At the fair, ask about the preferred application format as well as the contact details of the recipient and address your application accordingly. Mention your meeting at the name of the person you talked to at the job fair in your cover letter.
Not much can go wrong, if you consider these tips. Find a list of this year's biggest job fairs in Switzerland below to get started with planning your visit.
Job fairs and events in Switzerland 2019
05.04.2019: Sprungbrett-Events in Central Switzerland and Schaffhausen (registration deadline: 24.03.2019)
08.04.2019: IT-Day Lausanne (registration deadline: 24.03.2019)
08.04.2019: Sprungbrett-Events in Basel and St.Gallen (registration deadline: 24.03.2019)
12.04.2019: Sprungbrett-Events in Bern and Thurgau (registration deadline: 31.03.2019)
15.04.2019: Sprungbrett-Events in Grisons and Solothurn (registration deadline: 31.03.2019)
26.04.2019: Sprungbrett-Event in Zürichsee-Linth (registration deadline: 14.04.2019)
29.04.2019: IT-Day in Zurich (registration deadline: 14.04.2019)
25.06.2019: Online Career Day in Zurich
16.08.2019: ProOst in St.Gallen
22.10.2019: advanceING in Zurich (Engineering specific)
07.11.2019: Absolventenmesse Schweiz (Graduate Congress Switzerland) in Zurich
13.11.2019: Absolventenmesse (Graduate Congress) in Basel
20.11.2019: Master-Congress in Zurich-Oerlikon
25.11.2019: Women's Contact-Day in Zurich-Oerlikon
February 2020: HSG Talents Conference (over the course of three weeks)
The ETH Zurich organizes the annual AMIV Kontakt fair for technical jobs. This year's date is not published yet. Check here to be updated.
For those interested in visiting job fairs in Germany, find helpful overviews of job fairs here and here.
Feel free to share this article and the dates with your friends and colleagues!
We wish all fair visitors a lot of fun and a successful day at the job fair of their choice.
Your Coopers Team
