Perfect preparation

Our job fair website and the job fair catalogue provide all the information about the companies that will be present at CONTACT. With the help of detailed company profiles, you can find out all the important details about the companies and make up your own mind using the links and their social media presences.

Before you approach the company representatives, you should think about what you want to get out of the interview. Do you want to get a first feel for the company as an (entry-level) employer, write your master's or doctoral thesis there or do an internship? With this goal in mind, you should prepare yourself accordingly.

Perfect company selection

The best strategy to achieve your job fair goals is to create a priority list of your favourite companies. Don't take on too much, but concentrate on a maximum of five companies that particularly appeal to you. Then start with the lowest company and work your way up your list in reverse order. By the time you have reached your dream company, you will have already mastered up to four other interviews and been able to think of the best possible questions and answers.

It is particularly important to research a few facts about your dream company in advance. Find out about the current financial situation, what new products, services etc. are planned in the near future and whether the company philosophies match your own values. To do this, you can use our company profiles or find out more on the company websites or in business journals.

Perfect day at the fair

On the day of the fair itself, you should have at least the number of application folders ready with which you want to actively approach companies. It is best if you have already found out beforehand who the relevant contact person is and have adapted your cover letter accordingly. The application documents are your portfolio with which you present yourself at the fair - so take the time to make them as professional as possible.

As far as your outfit is concerned, you should dress appropriately for a job interview. We recommend what is known as ‘business casual’. You don't have to wear a suit and tie or a trouser suit, but can opt for a shirt in subtle colours or a simple blouse. You can combine this with cotton or chino trousers, and ladies also like to wear a knee-length skirt. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and display a certain degree of professionalism.

Perfect topics of conversation

Find a free recruiter at the fair and introduce yourself with your name, degree programme and the purpose of the interview. Be enthusiastic about the company and try to avoid empty phrases. Try to steer the conversation so that you can talk about your previous experience that could be relevant to the potential employer. Dare to ask questions too! If they are formulated correctly and asked at the right time, this can definitely score you points.

Perfect follow-up

After each interview, you should make a brief note of how the interview went and what you were able to take away from it. Also make it clear what further steps were discussed and whether you promised to send further documents or contact the company in another way. This is particularly important if you have received personal contact details from a recruiter or representative. Feel free to send them an email thanking them for the interesting conversation. If you do not receive a reply for several weeks, you can also contact them by telephone.