What is the big deal about Career Expos?

Why go to career expos? Because that is where you meet real employers and have real conversations about the world after AUT. In this blog employers give tips on what to do at a career expo and students talk about the value of attending.

EMPLOYERS SAY …

Be remembered

“I do remember students I meet.” says Nik Skara, senior solicitor for specialist litigation firm Wilson Harle.
“People that stick out for good reasons resonate with me. So, engage and ask as many questions as you want. Don’t be shy.”  
BDO talent acquisition advisor Dylan Brockett agrees.   
“I like you to get to know who I am as a recruiter, and I like to get to know you so you become more than a name on a paper.  If someone can say in their application that they met me at the career expo and we discussed xxx, then it really does make a difference,” says Dylan.
He says the students that stand out have done their research and know a little about what BDO does. They are also proactive.
“Shake our hands, look us in the eye and ask for information. This means we can talk about your study and have a conversation.,” says Dylan.

Communication is key

“I’d rather a B student that communicates than an A student that doesn’t,” declares Fulton Hogan commercial manager Emma Ballantyne. Take note students. Employers want to talk to you. 
FMA early careers talent specialist Tim Coker encourages students to be ready to talk about themselves and their achievements.
“If, say, you have not had work experience, then you can tell us about an interesting project or assignment of yours that would be relevant to our company.”
But don’t focus just on yourself, says Tim.
“Put effort into the conversation. Ask how I am too, and what I am looking for in graduates.”

Don’t feel intimidated

Don’t feel intimidated, says Ria Singh, Accenture marketing transformation analyst. She says Accenture attends events to get its brand better known and to engage with students.  
“Don’t just get the QR code and run off. That is not engaging. Come with curiosity about who we are, what we do and ask about the recruitment process. Find out about our process because, depending on the role, it can include phone interview, virtual interview, assessment centre and formal final interview.”

Ask your questions

Buddle Findlay talent coordinator Rebecca Keven encourages students to ask about issues that are important to them, such as diversity and sustainability.
“Ask the hard questions. Think about your own personal values and check in that our company aligns with your values.”
And always ask why would I want to work here, adds her colleague Buddle Findlay talent attraction specialist Harri De longh.

STUDENTS THOUGHTS

Students that were proactive find career expos an extremely useful and engaging experience. Hears what some say.

Insights into roles

Fifth year business and law student Eve McLoughlin (right) knew expos ran every year but this was the first time she’d attended. She came away with a much stronger idea of possible roles and what life might look like after university.
Eve had felt it was going to be very hard to get a foot in the door as a graduate, but she felt more optimistic after the expos.
“I had really good conversations with people about how they got into their role and how they were enjoying it and what their background was.”

Importance of personality

One comment that really stood out for Eve was about the importance of personality.
“I’ve heard it said before but it was interesting to hear someone in a recruiting role talk about how important it is to think about what you bring and who you are.”

Patrick Hinchcliff, (left) who is doing a double degree in business and law, was looking for a law clerkship in a commercial space that might cover off his cooperative education as well.  He was also told to think about what he could offer, besides his grades.
“Everyone was very welcoming. I was told that lots of students have good grades, so you have to talk about yourself as a person to set yourself apart and be unique in some way.“

Reassuring outcome

Third year law student Ash Kumar says life after graduation can feel quite scary, so he went to the expo to try and insights into what was out there. He approached a number of firms, including Buddle Findlay, Chapman Tripp, MinterElisonRuddWatts and Wilson Harle. 
“I realised there are many opportunities which makes me feel less anxious. Actually litigation (Wilson Harle) sounded like the kind of community I’d like to be part of.  I’m really glad I went to the expo.”

Talking to people

Drisana Haddow, a fourth-year law student, was wanting to find out more about the workplace. “I saw it as a chance to talk to people in the field. For example, I spoke to a litigation firm and learned so much from that. I would never have thought that would be an area to investigate."

She felt she got a lot of information that was helpful by asking questions about the work the people on the stands did, rather than just focusing on the application process.

Human resources management and international business student Bella Good (far left) also enjoyed talking to recent graduates about how they transitioned from university.
“I went to the expo because I wanted to find out more about what companies were offering graduates. As a result, I got information that I wouldn’t have got otherwise by hearing people’s stories, as well as learning how to sign up for graduate roles,” says Bella.

Master’s accounting student Alvin Thomas (below left) attended the expo to look for roles in auditing, tax, accounting and advisory for later in the year.
“I touched base with a lot of companies to ask if they had roles I could apply for when I finish my degree in August. There were definitely a couple of roles, so it was a most useful exercise to attend,” he says.

Feeling inspired to attend career events but want help to prepare?

Well, the Employability and Careers team is here to support you. We helps students prepare for meeting employers at career expos and events by offering workshops and one-on-one appointments that can be booked face-to-face or online through our online portal Elab Online.

It's easy to book. Simply go to Elab Online, using your student ID and password and you can access all our information about events, workshops etc.

PSST: The next career expo ICT and Engineering - is on March 21. Book in now.

We look forward to seeing you.