Why attending careers fairs will benefit you

Whether graduation is around the corner or you’re just starting your degree, the upcoming Investment Banking and Consultancy Careers Fair will give you a chance to meet with recruiters from some of the industry’s top organisations. We asked commerce student Linda Le for some insight into why attending careers fairs are worth your while.

Meet face-to-face with recruiters

Careers fairs gives you the opportunity to speak directly with graduates and other employees of the firms that are offering internships and graduate positions. You’ll be able to find out about a range of events and programs that might not be advertised in the usual places. 

Having a variety of companies in the same place, at the same time also means you can speak with multiple people all in the one day. Visit the stands of leading global and niche specialist consultancy and investment banking firms to discuss careers and key skills required. Read making the most out of careers fairs to get some tips on how to prepare for the day.

Get the inside scoop

Who better to get advice from than someone who has been in your shoes? Careers fairs give you the time to gain insight into the experiences of those already in graduate positions, within a range of different firms. 

One of the best parts is getting personal tips about the application process and transitioning from university to full-time work, straight from graduates who have already been through it themselves. Don’t forget to think about some questions you might want answered, so you’re prepared to ask them when the opportunity arises!

Network like a boss

It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you. Networking will set you up with contacts in the investment banking and consultancy world that you can reach out to in the future. Careers fairs are a good chance to network and practice your networking skills with employees of firms you’re interested in. 

Although it can seem daunting, the students who take the time to network are the ones that walk away with business cards and LinkedIn invitations. Get started on building up your skills with these networking tips.

Get a head start on your job search

You never know where your conversations might lead. A chat with a senior employee from a Big 4 accounting firm could lead to an application being referred to the firm’s recruitment team. Experiences like these can give you a huge advantage of other applicants. 

Careers Fairs are also a great way to figure out which organisations you’re most interested in. When it comes time to put your applications in, you’ll be confident in your decisions about where you're applying to.

The Investment Banking and Consultancy Careers Fair 2017 is being held Tuesday 7 March, 5.30 – 7.30pm. Find out more and register your attendance here.

By Linda Le, current Bachelor of Commerce student at the University of Sydney Business School.