As you know, preparation is your key to success and this is also true when it comes to attending job and career fairs: The physical and the virtual.
At Aarhus BSS, we host different career fairs each semester. Check out the date for next event in our calendar.
Visit the registration page a couple of days before the event to see the link of participating companies. Research to learn more about the current positions.
Find 3-5 companies the you are particularly interested in and visit the company web site and social media sites. Think of questions to ask the company based on the information you find, e.g.:
‘I can see that you are looking for xxx. What is most important in order to come into consideration for this position?.
Consider how to introduce yourself to the company. Prepare a short elevator pitch where you introduce who you are, what you offer and are looking for. Then ask your first question.
Keep the pitch short and remember to listen to learn more about the company. The company might not know what you have learned during your studies so be prepared to tell what you have learned at what you can offer.
It is a good idea to bring a note book where you write down names, contact information and other important information.
Especially at our virtual fairs, it is important to update your profile on AU Job and Projekt Bank. The companies will find you based on your profile information. Also at the physical fairs it is a good idea to update your profiles on e.g. AU Job and Projekt Bank, LinkedIn etc. The recruiters might check out your profile to learn more about you.
Dress professionally. Also remember to have fun and see the day as a day where you will be able to ask all your questions. The recruiters are more than happy to talk to you and help you explore your options.
Why learn Danish? If you are looking for a job in Denmark, there are several good reasons why you should learn Danish, e.g.:
On this page you can learn much more about your options when it comes to taking Danish lessons
Where to start your career when arriving at Aarhus BSS?
A good piece of advice is to start out by applying for a student job. Your first job might not be relevant to your studies but it will give you valuable insight into the Danish work culture and- language.
Become inspired and learn from others during your studies. E.g. you can visit the Aarhus University LinkedIn page. Here you will be able to search for alumni with the same educational background as you.
As your studies progress, think about ways to gain more practical experience related to your studies at Aarhus BSS. This will add valuable experience to your CV and improve your chances of finding a full-time job in Denmark. You can achieve this by:
At AU Job and Project Bank, you can find both student jobs, project collaborations, internships and full-time positions. Visit AU Job and Project Bank here.
During the semester, we also host various events, where you can meet companies in an informal setting to talk about your options. See the upcoming events here.
Recruiters are busy and in most cases they read your CV before they read your application. Our best advice is to target your CV at the position you apply for and quickly give the recruiters the impression that you are a good candidate to invite for a job interview. Your CV is not just a list of experiences - it is where you show that you are a good match for the job. Therefore:
Spend time reading and analysing the job ad and learn more about the company. E.g. learn more about the company on their web page, on social media or call the company with questions related to the position. Then brainstorm to work out which experiences and personal competences that will be relevant in the job.
Highlight and put on the first page what qualifies you for the position. E.g. implement this at the top of you CV in a short profile section and focus on how you can contribute to the company. Do not mention all experience listed in your CV but mention only those relevant to the position.
Not only paid jobs count on your CV, e.g. a project collaboration can be just as relevant. You are not supposed to match all the criteria in the job ad but try to hightlight where there is a good match between your skills and experience and the position.
Explain and elaborate what you have learned during you previous experience and which results you have achieved. The reader might not know the skills acquired during your studies so explain those as well. A piece of good advice is to get a one-line quote from your previous employer that shows what you have achieved.
Make it easy to get a quick overview of your qualifications and place your most recent experiences at the top of your CV. Use bullets rather than long text and use catchy and explaining sub headings. Your CV can be 1-3 pages.
During the semester, we also host various events where you can learn more about applying for a job in Denmark. See the upcoming events here.
Our experienced career counsellors are also more than happy to help you in the application process. Book a career counselling session.
You can write a good job application by following some simple advice.
Focus your job application
Try to concentrate your application so it takes up no more than one page. Avoid unnecessary words and long or complicated sentences.
Create an overview and clarity
Create space between your sections with headings so the reading becomes less uncomplicated. Your application needs to look welcoming to the reader at first sight.
Motivate your application
By formulating why, you are dedicated to the specific job position (or workplace, in case your application is unsolicited), you simultaneously make sure that you motivate and target your job application.
Focus on the employer’s benefits with you as employee
Give the employer a picture of you in the job by putting words to why there is a match between what you can offer and what the company expects. Focus on what the employer will advantage from by choosing you for the job. Tell about your competences and tell how you imagine using them and your experience in the specific job. When you write why you can imagine yourself in the job, the employer will automatically find it easier doing the same.
Consider your formulations
Write in present tense and use active formulations throughout your application in order to make your language more living and easier to read.
With a LinkedIn profile you can search for jobs, expand your network and get inspiration from other job profiles. Many companies also use LinkedIn to recruit for their job positions. Therefore, our advice is to make your LinkedIn profile distinctive and interesting.
Get inspiration from other profiles
It is worth the while to check out other LinkedIn users’ profiles. This way, you might get an idea of, what works well for others, and you can apply inspirational content to your own profile.
You might search on the Aarhus Universitet LinkedIn page. Here you can choose 'Alumner' and then search for profiles with your study programme etc.
Use some time to describe yourself
Make your LinkedIn profile personal, so a potential employer gets an impression of who you are. Please include a photo and give your profile a catchy headline.
Refer to your LinkedIn profile
Consider your LinkedIn profile as a virtual business card and refer to it in your job applications.
Use your profile as a portfolio
In LinkedIn, you can add some examples of former tasks or projects from your studies. This way you showcase some of the things you are proud of having produced, and competencies gained.
See LinkedIn as a job bank
LinkedIn is a great supplement to job search on AU Job and Project Bank or other jobsites. On LinkedIn you can easily get an overview over job openings in a company, or if they do not have any, you might learn about the company and send an unsolicited application.
Get more tips and tricks to how to use LinkedIn in your job search: Job search and career advice | Djøf (djoef.dk)
Have you been invited to a job interview? Then you have already done a great job with your application.
Make yourself look presentable for the interview
Iron your shirt or style your hair. Remember to do whatever makes you feel presentable and vigorous before the job interview, and it will strengthen your self-confidence and make you shine.
Re-read the job advertisement and your application
Before the job interview, you should get an overview of the qualifications and requirements described in the job advertisement by reading it through again and referring to it during the interview. You should also re-read your own application, so you remember your description of you and your competences.
Remember, it is an interview – not an exam
Even though the situation around the job interview can seem tense, you should try not to think of it as an exam. The job interview is also your chance to sense if you like the job, the terms of employment and the company.
Show interest and curiosity
At the job interview, you should show your interest and curiosity in the company. Therefore, you can research on the company before the interview or prepare some things that you would like to know more about compared to the job.
Consider some questions from home
Get more advice on how to prepare for the job interview from Djøf: https://www.djoef.dk/english/job-search-and-career-advice/interview.aspx.
Network and networking are important when building you career in Denmark. Companies often hire people they know or have heard well about. Talk to your current network about your options.
Also try to grow your professional network in Denmark. A good option is also to become part of our student to student network. You will become an ambassador who can help inspire and guide potential new international students at Aarhus BSS.
You will grow your network, get invitations to events exclusively for our student ambassadors, and possibly travel to student fairs abroad. Also, you can reach out to people in the network with your questions. Read more about the student-to-student network here.
Also visit our Aarhus BSS international student-to-student Instagram account. Here you can ask questions about your career options to the International students. You can find the account here.
During the semester, we also host various events, where you can meet companies in an informal setting to talk about your options. See the upcoming events here.