Attending a career expo

Career expos are annual events organised by the Career Development and Employability Services team for University of Auckland students. These events bring together multiple organisations on campus to interact with students and promote themselves as potential future employers. 

Some organisations use expos to actively recruit for internships or graduate positions, while others aim to build connections for future recruitment. The main career expos include the Business and Law Expo (one day, usually in semester one), STEM Expo (two days, usually in semester one), Internship and Graduate Expo (one day, usually in semester two), and the Summer Work Pop-up (one day, usually in semester two). 

All of our expos are open to all students, regardless of your major or subject area. Organisations at the expos are often looking to fill various roles and therefore recruit from different majors. For example, the Business and Law Expo is not just for accounting or law students, several employers are interested in talent from all subject areas. 

We provide a list of attending organisations and their recruiting preferences so you can easily find and approach those relevant to your faculty, subject or major.

Whether you’re in your first year or final year, there are plenty of reasons to attend:

• Learn about organisations, their culture, and their employees
• Discover internship and graduate offerings 
• Expand your professional network 
• Gain insights into key players across different industries

You never know what opportunities might arise from attending!

We offer a 20-minute online workshop to prepare you for career expos, which you can access at the bottom of this webpage or on Youtube.

If you prefer reading, here are the key steps:

1. Check our website for the list of attending organisations.
2. Research each organisation's purpose and values on their website.
3. Make a list of desired employers and gather conversation starters from their LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
4. On expo day, find the lists of study areas each organisation is interested in hiring from, located on posterboards around the venue.
5. Impress employers by showing your interest and research. Do a quick online search before approaching unfamiliar organisations.

Employers are impressed by students who start a conversation. It shows your communication skills and initiative. Here's how you can make a great first impression:

• Initiate conversation: You don't need to be an extrovert or an experienced networker. Decide who you want to approach, say hello, and ask them how their day is going.
• Introduce yourself: Share your name, what you're studying, and why you're interested in their field.
• Be curious: Show genuine interest and ask questions about the organisation or their work.
• Mind your body language: Smile, make eye contact and be mindful of your posture.
• Respect their time: If the employer is already talking to someone, wait patiently. Avoid grabbing freebies without engaging in a conversation first.

Being brave and making that first move can lead to valuable connections and opportunities. So take a deep breath, smile, and start networking!

Our career expos are informal and you can dress similar to what you wear to lectures. However, it’s still a good idea to be mindful of how you present yourself. If in doubt about what to wear, search online for “business casual” for inspiration. 

After introducing yourself, start the conversation by asking about recent organisation achievements or impactful work. Here are some questions you can ask:

• What projects have previous interns/graduates worked on? 
• What does a normal day/week look like for interns/graduates?  
• What are common attributes of successful interns/graduates? 
• What do you enjoy about working at [organisation name]? 
• What did you study, and how do you use those skills in your job? 
• What was the most interesting project you have worked on? 
• What do you most like about the work culture?  
• How is your organisation encouraging diversity in the workplace?  
• What are you most proud of about your workplace? 
• What was your own journey getting to where you are today?  
• How can I follow up with you?  
• Would I be able to connect with you on LinkedIn?

Employers may also ask you questions, such as “What brings you to our booth/what do you know about us?” Be prepared with researched answers.

1. Connect: Reach out to people you've met, reflect on your experience, and take notes.
2. Explore further: research organisations you're interested in, learn about recruitment periods for future reference, and identify organisations you plan to apply to.
3. Stay in touch: Connect with employers on LinkedIn with a personalised note.
4. Reflect: Consider if any organisations are not a fit for you.
5. Enjoy the experience: Expand your network, explore opportunities and collect merchandise!