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Austria's largest career fair opens on Thursday

The Local Austria
The Local Austria - [email protected]
Austria's largest career fair opens on Thursday
Photo: Messe Wien

We know how daunting it can be when you're first looking for a job in Austria. Especially intended for students, recent graduates and young people in Vienna, the annual career fair kicks off on Thursday.

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Organized by the Business University (WU), Technical University (TU) and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), the fair brings together employers from all over Austria, to meet potential recruits and to offer career advice.  The fair is organized by Career Calling, a cooperation between the three universities.

The fair will take place at the Messe Wien (transport via U2 station at Krieau), from 10am until 6pm on Thursday, November 20th.

Q: How should I dress for the fair?
A: Choose an outfit you would wear to a job interview. The first impression sticks: Clothing, choice of words and posture should form a harmonious unit and be appropriate for the respective situation. It is at this point that the first decisions are formed as to whether you should be considered an interesting candidate. 

What you can't go wrong with: Suit and shirt, skirt and blouse, proper hairstyle, shoes!!

Q: What is the best way to prepare? 
A: Get an overview of the Fair exhibitors and choose those companies you are interested in and/or those which have advertised jobs that match your qualifications. Please bear in mind that a day at the Fair goes by fast – taking into account waiting periods, breaks, etc, you can realistically expect to have 5 extended interviews.

Targeted preparation is essential: The companies' websites generally offer comprehensive information. Prepare questions specific to the companies to show that you have engaged in careful preparation. 

Q: What documents should I bring to the Fair? 
A: It should basically be sufficient to come equipped with several copies of your CV. Should any reports or other certificates be required for a decision, you will have the opportunity to hand them in later at night or mail them to the companies in the days following the Fair. 

If you would like to apply for specifically advertised positions, we would advise you to draw up an individual letter of motivation in advance and hand this in together with your CV. 

Q: How do I stay in touch with the Companies after the Fair? 
A: One of the biggest advantages of job or recruiting fairs is that your interview will put you in touch with a specific person who you can contact later.  Important: Make sure you get your interview partner's business card.

Take down the basic points of your conversation, i.e. important details which set apart that company from others. In the next few days following the Fair, you can send a thank you mail for the opportunity to talk to the person and, in case you didn't do so at the Fair already, send your CV and letter of motivation to your contact.

Give the companies time to go over your documents and make a decision. Should you not have received any feedback after two weeks, it is perfectly ok to check back by phone.

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