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Career fair tips

Visiting a fair such as the Campus meets Company is not only an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insight into different sectors but also enables you to make important contacts for your future career. Investing enough time in thorough preparation before the career fair and follow-up work after the fair will significantly increase your chances of getting a job interview at a company or institution.

The following points can help you get the most out of your participation at the fair. You are also welcome to use our application service.

Before the career fair

Preparing for the upcoming Campus meets Company depends on your individual goals. The following points can provide you with some guidance:

  • Using the event catalogue and the list of exhibitors on the Campus meets Company website, you can find out about the participating companies and institutions and make a preliminary selection.
  • Make a list of the companies and institutions you are interested in.
  • Are there any relevant job and internship offers listed in the career section of the company/institution or the careers portal careersUP? Please prepare your application documents.

  • Create your CV. This will allow you to take a close look at your professional qualifications before the Campus meets Company. Make sure you have the pdf version prepared for the fair.
  • What might the company/institution want to know about you? What are your personal, professional, and technical qualifications?
  • What do you want your future career to be like and how do you plan to communicate your vision?
  • Prepare specific questions about the companies/institutions and their culture. This shows that you have informed yourself in advance and emphasises your interest. You could, for example, ask for information about a trainee programme or about stays abroad.
  • Practice your self-presentation with friends and use their feedback to improve.

You will find more information about the one-to-one meetings and the job advertisements on our homepage.

  • Inform yourself about the event programme (talks, company slams, etc.).
  • Were you invited to a one-on-one meeting? Make sure you attend this appointment.
  • Check the Campus meets Company website or the digital career fair catalogue to find out if any interesting exhibitors are participating in company slams or offering talks.
  • Take advantage of Career Service offers.
  • Make sure to plan enough time to visit the various exhibition stands and events of the supporting programme and talk to various companies and institutions’ representatives.

During the career fair

  • Make sure you have a well-groomed appearance and dress according to the rules of the respective industry.
  • It is important for you to feel comfortable and stay true to your style. Do not dress up in a way that misrepresents you. It helps to wear your business outfit a few times beforehand.
  • In case of doubt, it is better to be a little overdressed than underdressed.

  • Your CV as a pdf document.

  • Bring a notebook to take notes during conversations to use later in the application process.

  • Approach the representatives of the companies and institutions openly and with interest.
  • Find a suitable conversation starter ( e.g. the company slam you attended earlier).
  • Introduce yourself with your first and last name, and mention your course of study and intentions.
  • Don’t ask standard questions.
  • Take notes or bring them to the interview. Please make sure to keep your eyes on your notes as little as possible during the conversation. Maintaining eye contact with the person you are talking to is very important for a good conversation.
  • If interested, please send your application documents after the conversation.
  • Don’t forget to ask the person you are talking to for contact details (email, Xing, LinkedIn, etc.).
  • Talk individually with the representatives of the companies and institutions.

  • Get information about the numerous expert talks on topics such as job applications, career entry, and career opportunities.
  • Attend the company slams, where several companies will present themselves and answer your questions.

After the career fair

  • Keep in touch with your new contacts.
  • If necessary, thank them by email for the pleasant and interesting conversation.
  • Build networks on relevant career platforms such as Xing and LinkedIn.
  • Apply to suitable companies. The Campus meets Company can be used as a starting point in terms of how you became aware of the company and why you are applying to this particular company.

Download

Career Fair Catalogue (in German)

Contact details

Laura Stock
Laura Stock
Room 328 (LU 8)
Ludwigstr. 8
94032 Passau
Fax: +49(0)851/509-1426

Contact details

Matthias Schöberl
Matthias Schöberl
Room LU8 329
Ludwigstraße 8
Phone: +49(0)851/509-1422
Fax: +49(0)851/509-1426
Web
Consultation hours: Individuelle Termine über Zoom oder persönlich, nach Vereinbarung per E-Mail oder Telefon.

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