Golden Tips for making a favourable impression with Employers at the Careers Expo
Make no mistake - graduate employers today are involved in a "war for talent" across all Universities - in Australia and overseas.

Every year, students attend the Careers Expo for varying reasons. Have you consider what you would like to gain from attending the Careers Expo?

1. To obtain some broad, background information on possible career options "out there in the real world of work".
2. To better research the skills and other personal attributes wanted by employers, preferably those recruiting from their field of study.
3. To begin marketing their identified talents to a targeted shortlist of graduate employers.

So how 'career ready' are you? Which stage of preparedness would you claim that you're currently at - 1, 2 or 3? Realistically, in today's competitive recruitment environment, if you're still at 'Stage 1' by the time the Careers Expo rolls around in March, employers are unlikely to pay you as much time and attention as they will give other students - i.e. your competitors - who front up to them clearly already at 'Stage 2' or, even better, at 'Stage 3' of readiness.

As with writing great job applications - or Uni assignments, or indeed achieving many things in life - the rewards tend to gravitate towards the minority who have best prepared themselves for the challenge ahead. Make sure that's you this year!

Below are some quick checklists for what you can be doing before, during and after the UNSW Careers Expo.

Of course, if you want to be really prepared, you'll also make sure you attend one of our Researching and Preparing for the Careers Expo workshops in March and April and find the time to act upon our full range of advice at www.careers.unsw.edu.au.

QUICK CHECKLIST - Before the Expo
Do your Research
Participating organisations provide an Employer Profile. You are encouraged to research their listing and relevant links to their website prior to the Expo, as well as reviewing the information sheet available from Careers and Employment. Their Employer Profile will tell you if they'll be on campus early in the year for an Information Session, which will also provide you with valuable information.

What are employers looking for?
Careers and Employment surveyed organisations participating in the 2005 and 2006 Careers Expos to find out how you can make the best impression with them. Review our Advice from 2005 Employers to UNSW students and Advice from 2006 Employers to UNSW students articles.

Prepare your marketing tools
Begin to reflect on the various - relevant - attributes you can offer employers, summarising these in a quality resume. See further info in our Resume Resources section.

Go Talk to a Mirror!
Practise a one-minute 'infomercial' for employers - that introduces you, summarises what you're looking for and outlines what you can offer them.

Get some sleep the night before the Expo
You'll be needing all the energy you can muster, if you're to take advantage of all the opportunities.

QUICK CHECKLIST - During the Expo
Dress the Part
In our survey, most employers reported they don't expect you to wear full business attire to the Expo, so 'smart casual' is OK. Don't forget to bring your list of which organisations you intend to speak with.

Intelligent Questioning
Approach the booths of targeted organisations, asking politely who is the best person for you to discuss your specific career interests with – meanwhile the less-prepared are wandering aimlessly, asking "So what does your company do?"

Listen for Clues
Using your questions - arising from your earlier analysis of employer needs and audit of your own abilities - listen out for info that will be vital when you come to write your formal application.

Build Your Contacts
Broadcast your 'infomercial', offer to leave a copy of your resume and ask for a business card – nothing to be scared of, it's just talking!

QUICK CHECKLIST - After the Expo
Follow Up
Re-contact people you spoke with at the Expo, thanking them for their time and asking for any additional advice they can offer you. When you come to apply, you can also mention or thank that person in your cover letter.

Lateral Thinking
Broaden your research to include recruiters who didn't attend the Expo.

Clear Your Desk!
OK, that's hardly likely to happen at such a busy time of year, but at least revisit your priorities - draw up a target list of organisations you intend applying to, diarising their closing dates for applications so you don't miss them.

Remember
Don't forget to stay abreast of the latest graduate recruitment news and developments on the Expo Homepage.

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