Grad fairs - just for brand new graduates?

[paolow]

Can anyone (recruiters hopefully) offer an input?

I am 33 years of age, have a 2:1 in IT and criminology and feel 'stale' in my current role which sees me orchestrating operations involving between 1 and 40 people on a regular basis for periods of a day to 12 months.

I have hit something of a ceiling, would be interested to move on to work with other employers and thought that there is still an opportunity to prove myself to a company who would give me a chance.

Given the time of year and the number or careers fairs there are, I was wondering whether attending a career fair would be of merit? Are these suitable places to explore new possibilities or are they for 21 year olds only?

I still consider myself a recent graduate (2005) - and have realistic expectations as to my 'worth' to a company - but is the recruitment remit of companies in attendance so prescriptive that I wouldn't enjoy success there?

Its a broad question I know - but Pistonheads frequently has the answers!

[johnfm]

Grad rec in what field?

Accounting?

Law?

Banking?

You could ring the grad team in whatever companies you are interested in - they don't bite and will probably tell you straight up.

[danrc]

as an employer i find grad fairs a bit of a waste of time. a lot of students turn up without any real direction or idea and just stumble about the hall grabbing any fliers they can.

For this reason alone many decent companies who you would want to actually work for don't attend and your left with a lot of mickey mouse companies.

I am involved in the oil and gas industry and we have specialist job websites. is there nothing like for this for your field?

I guess you have nothing to lose by going to a grad fairs but don't hold out a lot of hope. imo

[paolow]

danrc said:

as an employer i find grad fairs a bit of a waste of time. a lot of students turn up without any real direction or idea and just stumble about the hall grabbing any fliers they can.

For this reason alone many decent companies who you would want to actually work for don't attend and your left with a lot of mickey mouse companies.

Ha - now you mention it that is largely my recollection from the times I did go when I first graduated!

Fair comments above from both - many thanks - I'll give it some more thought and explore options with more focused agencies...

[jr502]

Having been to too many of these in the past, I find them largely a waste of time. IMO the best thing to do, is look up what companies will be there and then go to their websites. The people manning the stands never seem to know anything, and will tell you to look at their website if you ask for more than the company name. I've even seen people I knew who were on a placement in a company (undergrads) who were sent to man the stand, so knew very little about the company after a couple of weeks working there.

(might not be the same for all areas, but that's how it is for science stuff)

[blueheron]

Ever considered applying to a graduate scheme? Not all are limited to recent grads, I know for definite that IBM welcomes anyone with a 2.1+ to apply.

[paolow]

blueheron said:

Ever considered applying to a graduate scheme? Not all are limited to recent grads, I know for definite that IBM welcomes anyone with a 2.1+ to apply.

Ah - thats just about perfect! if only there was some sort of index of like minded employers.

• Goes off to scour the 'net

[blueheron]

You've probably found this by now, but here you go:

http://www.top100graduateemployers.com/