Preparing for...

Lucy Hawkins, Careers Adviser

Why go to a careers fair?

Networking• An efficient and effective way to make

contactsExploration and Discovery• Find out more about what this sector and

these organisations and individuals do• Research job opportunities, how they recruit

and the skills/experiences they look for

Get the most out of fairs

Before During After

Before the fair

• Download the brochure:• http://bit.ly/CareersInComputing2013• www.careers.ox.ac.uk/careers-in-computing-2013/

• Research employers• Think through your objectives, plan your

questions• Think about what to take….

pen/notepad, CV, tablet?• Be open-minded!

Setting your objectives

Possible objectives (yours will be unique to you):To increase familiarity with different optionsTo learn about aspects not available online To build rapport with key personnel To gain answers to individual questions To meet individuals who you could follow up

with for more advice or informal opportunities To see an organisation’s culture and workstyle To use attendance to demonstrate enthusiasm

Who’s coming?

1. Amazon2. ATASS Sports3. Bank of America Merrill Lynch4. Bloomberg5. BP International Ltd.6. CHP Consulting7. CoreFiling Limited8. Ensoft Ltd.9. Goldman Sachs International10. Google11. G-Research12. Ingegneria Biomedica Santa

Lucia SpA a Socio Unico13. Jane Street

14. Metaswitch Networks 15. Morgan Stanley 16. NaturalMotion17. Netcraft18. Ocado Technology19. Palantir Technologies 20. QinetiQ 21. Rebellion22. Roxar23. Shell24. Softwire25. Sparx26. Tessella Ltd.27. TPP Ltd.

“Students that stand out are the ones who say 'I noticed on your website that you recruit into the Analyst Consulting Group and within that you can be Technology or Management Consultancy aligned. Can you tell me a bit more about how these roles differ?’”

“the best questions we get come from those who have researched the company and have a genuine interest in the company. These questions tend to be more specific rather than students coming along, not knowing anything about X firm or what it is we do.”

“Students have done some (even minimal) preparation before coming up to the stand, i.e. they have read thecompany profile in the fair brochure (even better would be to look at the website in advance!)”

Employer viewpoints:

At the fair

• Re-read brochure, study map• Approach organisations & introduce yourself• Introduce yourself with key details (e.g.

Course, year)• Express genuine interest• Demonstrate your knowledge of them• Relate your background to the

organisation’s needs• Create a two-way dialogue

Examples of introductions

• Hello – I’m Alex. I heard about your organisation from a friend of mine and then read your web page. I’m a finalist and was curious about what kind of international opportunities there may be at xxxx.

• Hi I’m Emma, one of my friends did an internship with your company this summer and the opportunities sound really interesting. I am a penultimate year student and was hoping to find out a little more on internships.

• Ask pertinent questions, aim for dialogue• Collect names, contact details, cards as

appropriate• Thank them for their time, and don’t

monopolise them!• Make notes before moving on to next stand

At the fair

Employers praise…

• Students who have thought about why they want to work in our field and can ask more targeted questions e.g. “how is the company structured?”, “what industries do you focus on?”, “what is the culture of the working environment?”, “what responsibilities can I expect?

• Students who are open about wherethey are in their career journey i.e. “I’m here to find out more about...”

Employers criticism…

• 50 % of the Qs are a) 'what do you do?' and B) 'I am doing X degree. What opportunities do you have for me?'

• Arrogance as demonstrated, for example, by opening questions such as “why should I join your company – what have you got to offer me?”

• Students who take out their CV and ask for a critique on it, expecting detailed feedback on what they could improve

• Students who want to know in detail what they should write in their cover letter

• Students who come to the stand just to take a freebie • Students who monopolise the reps and are unaware of other students

wishing to ask questions (or unwilling to bring others into the conversation)

• Who are you? What do you do? • What is consulting? What can you do for me?

• You are only as good as your follow-up• Keep track of whom you spoke with (useful for

covering/speculative letters, etc)• Possibly send thank you emails• Attend other relevant events• Use Oxford Careers Network – alumni

mentoring through CareerConnect on www.careers.ox.ac.uk

After the fair

Employers on name-dropping

• Adds value ONLY when the student is able to link the conversation with the individual they met from the company with why they are interested / motivated to apply.

• For smaller firms, there may be additional advantages; in smaller firms it is more likely that the person who is interviewing a candidate also attended the careers fair, so this can jog their memory!

In summary, DO…

• Be assertive without being rude• Be sensitive to others waiting• Remember organisations like to speak with

groups• Maximise your time (be sure to give yourself

enough time on the day – allow at least 5-10 mins per preferred employer)

• Observe others/listen in

…and don’t…

• Monopolise someone’s time when there’s lots of students waiting – help them turn it into a group discussion

• Exhibit a lack of focus – “I could do anything really...”

• Ask ‘What do you have for me?’

• Forget first impressions do count

Enjoy Thursday...!

Lucy Hawkins, Careers Adviser

Careers in Computing and IT

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