How to get the most out of a careers fair: your GradCon Cymru guide

7 September 2026

Adrian Rivera

Careers fairs like GradCon Cymru are a brilliant way to meet employers, explore different sectors and discover opportunities you might not otherwise come across.

But with dozens of organisations and hundreds of other attendees in the room, it can also be easy to feel overwhelmed or spend the whole day having surface-level conversations that don’t really go anywhere.

Whether you’re joining us at GradCon Cymru or heading to another careers fair in the future, a little preparation can make a huge difference. Here’s how to get the most out of the day.

Before you go: do your homework

This one matters more than you might think.

Spend twenty minutes the night before, or even just an hour before you arrive, looking up some of the organisations that will be there.

You don’t need to memorise their annual reports. But knowing what they actually do and spotting one or two things that genuinely interest you changes everything.

When you walk up to a stand and can say, “I was looking at the work you’re doing in X and I’d love to know more about it”, you’re no longer one of dozens of people asking the same generic questions. You’re someone who’s taken the time to find out more.

It also helps you use your time wisely. Not every organisation will be the right fit for you, and that’s completely fine. Focus some of your energy on the ones that genuinely spark your interest.

The golden rule: conversation first, freebies second

Yes, there will probably be pens, tote bags and stickers.

But don’t make grabbing the freebies your opening move.

Have a quick conversation first. It sounds like a small thing, but it shows respect for the people running the stand and a genuine interest in what they do. They’re also far more likely to remember you if you’ve actually spoken to them.

And whatever you do, try not to lead with: “Have you got any jobs for me?”

You’re there to have a conversation and learn more about the organisation. A job opportunity might come out of that, but it doesn’t need to be the starting point.

Talk to everyone, even the organisations you don’t recognise

There’s a natural temptation to head straight for the biggest employers or the names you’ve already heard of.

But some of the best opportunities and most interesting conversations can happen at stands you weren’t originally planning to visit.

That organisation you’ve never heard of might be growing quickly and actively looking for new talent. They might offer better flexibility, more interesting work or a working culture that really suits you.

Smaller organisations in particular can offer brilliant opportunities for graduates who are willing to be curious and look beyond the obvious names.

Talk to people. If nothing clicks, no harm done. But go in assuming that every stand could have something interesting to offer and you might be surprised.

Ask questions that matter

“So, what does your organisation do?” is a perfectly good starting point, but it’s also a question employers are likely to hear dozens of times throughout the day.

Once the conversation gets going, ask about the things you actually want to know.

For example:

“What’s the biggest project your team is working on right now?”
“What’s it actually like to work here in your first year?”
“What kind of person tends to thrive in your organisation?”
“What’s something you wish you’d known before you joined?”

Open questions get you much more interesting answers. They also show that you’re genuinely interested, which makes the conversation more memorable for both of you.

The real goal: build relationships, not just collect business cards

Every person you speak to has the potential to become part of your professional network.

Even if there isn’t a suitable job available right now, you’ve still made a new connection.

If you have a particularly good conversation, follow it up. Send them an email or a LinkedIn message a few days later saying that you enjoyed meeting them and mentioning something you discussed.

A simple “I really enjoyed chatting about X” can go a long way.

Employers who regularly recruit graduates often stay in touch with people they’ve met at events, even when they don’t have the perfect vacancy available that day. Building those relationships can pay off later.

Most importantly: be curious

You don’t need to arrive with a perfect elevator pitch, a ten-year career plan or a list of rehearsed questions.

Be curious. Ask people about their work. Explore organisations you hadn’t considered before. And don’t put pressure on yourself to walk away with a job offer.

A good careers fair can introduce you to industries, roles and people you didn’t know existed before you walked through the door.

And if you’re joining us at GradCon Cymru, come and find the Darogan team (in blue T-shirts!) if you need a hand. We’re there to help.