With over 100 career fairs offered by South African Higher Education Institutions per year and employers spending between R40 000 at the low end and R140 000 at the high end on career fairs, you’ll want to dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s to get the most out of career fairs.
Being career-fair ready requires careful thought and planning – in preparing this toolkit we asked our Careers Service colleagues for their top tips when it comes to maximizing career fair attendance. Whether you’re a seasoned career fair attendee or a first-timer, this guide will help you get the most out of every event.
Career fairs offer a powerful opportunity for employers to connect with emerging talent, build brand visibility on campus, and strengthen their future talent pipelines. For students, career fairs remain the most valued university-led resource for job searching and 71% of employers report that career fairs are an effective part of their attraction strategy. (Source: SAGEA Employer Benchmark 2024)
However, participating in a career fair involves more than just showing up. With costs like registration fees, travel, booth setup, branding materials, and team time, it’s essential to maximize your return on investment. This Toolkit explains how.