You are most likely to attend a careers fair in the UK, but many universities on the Continent also plan fairs. Student CV weightlifters AIESEC organise many fairs across Europe. Some fairs are by invitation only. Relax and view the fair as an opportunity to interview a prospective employer.

Tips for fairs

1. Find out the exact location and arrive early, you will then be sure of getting all the brochures you'll ever want, talk to people on stands before they get bored and won't have to queue all day for super cool employers.

2. Dress smartly and look like the corporate person in front of you. With a bit of luck, he'll take you for the recent grad recruit and take you back to the office after the fair. It happens!

3. Have copies of your CV to hand, key beginner huntsman tip there.

4. Have transcripts of your course results, available from the registry of your university, normally free of charge, get a friend to translate it and if you need it certified, go and be nice to the person in the nearest Embassy or consulate.

5. Select the employers you wish to visit beforehand (hence displaying your organisational and time management skills)- this saves time for cigarette breaks, speaking of which, in the UK or the States, never smoke at a salon event, unless the President of the company is puffing on a Havana beside you and even then, ask if it would be detrimental to your chances of employment before lighting up.

6. Have an idea of the vacancies they are seeking to fill, and the profile for successful applicants (get this from the HR department of any firm, then BECOME THAT PERSON).

7. Know what you can offer your chosen companies,ie be as one with your CV.

8. Prepare some open-ended questions, buy those pink broadsheets, but don't carry them under your arm unless you're happy to be seen straight thru.

9. Look confident, YOU ARE INTERVIEWING THEM.

10. Be prepared for some employers to offer you a mini-interview on the spot, this is not a stage rehearsal, leave that fair with a job offer in pocket.

• Brussels: Euromanagers, IT & Telecom Futures, Benelux Career Futures
• Berlin: German Career Futures, IT Career Days, Career Days - Health Care, Career Days - Insurance
• London: IT & Telecom Futures
• Milan: Italian Career Futures

created by: David Anderson