Careers Fair (sponsored by AWE)

To help provide a more inclusive experience, we’re delighted to be able to offer a dedicated quiet room during the Autumn Careers Fair where you can ask employers your questions in a calm and quiet space.

You will be unable to book this room prior to the event. Please visit the Careers Fair on the day, and one of our Careers Fair helpers will book a slot for you. Look out for the ‘Careers Fair quiet space booking point’, which will be situated at the entrance to the venue.

The slots are 15 minutes long, during which time the employer will join you in the room, accompanied by one of our Careers Fair Helpers, and you can ask your questions.

If you are unable to join fellow students at the Autumn Careers Fair due to well-being/disability issues, you can still ask your questions to employers via an online form (please note, we will not ask questions that are readily available on the company website).

We aim to make Careers Fairs as accessible as possible, but if you have any particular access/support requirements or concerns that you would like to us be aware of please email employer.services@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk  (remember you can check various aspects of venue accessibility via the AccessAble app here.) We would encourage you to contact us as soon as possible and we will try our hardest to provide these adjustments.

Absolutely! Careers Fairs are still important to attend even if you are not actively looking for jobs, as they are a great way to network with employers. You are putting your name out there and raising awareness of your profile, which will help when it comes to you securing a job in the future.

Careers Fairs also allow you to explore different career paths, research opportunities in different sectors and gain an understanding of what roles might be available when you are ready to apply. You can also speak with employers to see what they are looking for, so you are prepared for when applications open.

First impressions count! Make sure you dress appropriately, as you could potentially be speaking with the director of the dream company you want to work for. Wearing a smart top and a casual bottom is sufficient; however, it is important that you feel comfortable, as well as look professional.

• Research the company and opportunities they have available. Look at the ‘about us’ section on the company’s website, to get a feel for who they are and what they do. Explore the application process and deadlines for when applications close.
• Check the list of who’s going to be there and make note of the companies you want to speak to in a priority order. Having a list of the top companies you want to engage with helps you to feel less overwhelmed.
• Visit the Fair with an open mind. Your dream job could be working in a company you have not yet heard of!
• Practice your introduction. Start a conversation with an employer by letting them know what course you are studying, relevant skills and experience you hold, what you can bring to the company and what you are looking for. Remember to enthusiastic and polite.
• Update your CV. There is no need to bring it in paper form to the event, just have it ready to send over to employers once the event has taken place. If you need some advice, our team of career professionals will be happy to help. More information about how to do this can be found here.
• Prepare questions to ask employers. This will show the employer that you have taken the time to do your research and have an interest in what they have to offer.

1. What are the top skills and type of experience you are looking for?
2. What roles at your company would be a good option for my degree/educational background?
3. If the representative is a former student of Loughborough - what has their experience been?
4. What is the company culture like? Is it a nice place to work?

Remember ‘FAIR’:

Feel - What is the company feel; the work dynamic and the company values.

Aims - What is the company about; what are their missions and goals.

Innovation - Anything new they have done in their space that is exciting to talk about.

Roles - Opportunities available, development opportunities, skills needed for the role – how the employee got their role.

Loughborough University works on an equal basis with all genuine employers and does not favour any employers, allowing for all legitimate opportunities to be available to students. We recognise that all students have the right to select their own potential future employers.   

We endeavour to provide the widest possible range of graduate, internship and placement opportunities to our students and we work in partnership with employers to achieve this. By working closely together we aim to support the business needs of recruiters as well as to deliver employment opportunities for our students.  

Organisations are welcome to attend fairs and events organised by Loughborough University Careers Network to promote opportunities that follow the guidelines set out in this Code of Practice and where their staff adhere to the Statement of Expectations outlined, both here. 

As part of the University’s commitment to freedom of expression, the University recognises the right to protest. It additionally recognises the right to freedom of assembly.  Further information about what is expected from our students in relation to this is available here. 

Please note that we will be implementing a bag search operation on entering the Fair, please avoid bringing bags along where you can to help us ensure your safety and allow faster access to the event.