I have been to my fair share of career fairs. Usually, I would leave with my bag full of brochures, a notebook, several pens, and the comforting feeling that I had “networked”.
This year, I ditched the usual routine.
Instead of asking recruiters about graduate programmes or internships, I asked them
“What’s the biggest mistake students make when approaching recruiters?”
I spoke to 15 recruiters. Surprisingly, many of them repeated the same answers. Here are the seven mistakes they wish students would stop making:
1. Waiting until final year
Career fairs are not only for final-year students.
Some students wait until they are in their final year to start thinking about their next step. One recruiter, Bohlale Paile, put it perfectly: “University isn’t just about getting a qualification; it’s also about preparing yourself for the job market from day one.”
The students who benefit the most are not necessarily the ones with the highest marks. They are the ones who start early enough to ask, “What skills are you looking for?” Then they spend the next few years in university building exactly that.
Attend the fair in first year. Go again in second year, and by the time you are graduating, you won’t be scrambling to become employable – you’ll already be there.
2. Walking up to a stand unprepared
Walking up to a recruiter without researching the company is a bit like showing up for an exam without studying. You might survive, but you’re making life unnecessarily difficult for yourself.
Before approaching a stand, spend time researching the company. Research is part of the preparation. Don’t spend five minutes at a stand asking questions you could have answered on Google the night before.
Know what they do, what interests you about them and, more importantly, how your studies, experiences or interests could fit into their company. A conversation changes completely when you can say:
“I’ve read about your graduate programme, and I’m interested in the sustainability team. What would make someone a strong candidate?”
That leaves a far better impression than asking, “So…what does your company do?”
3. Students take, take, and take
One of the biggest mistakes recruiters mentioned was students who only take.
Brochures and QR codes? Thank you.
Freebies? Thank you.
Then they leave.
The best conversations work both ways.
Introduce yourself. Share what you’re studying. Explain why you stopped at their stand. Mention a skill, a project, or an experience you’re proud of. Recruiters should not have to interview you just to figure out who you are.
Think of it this way: you’re not only gathering information, but you’re also giving them a reason to remember you.
4. Playing it too safe
You’re in a competitive market. Whether we like it or not, we have to constantly prove ourselves. A career fair is one of the few spaces where you’re allowed to talk about yourself without it sounding arrogant.
Some students speak softly, give one-word answers, or seem afraid of saying the wrong thing, which makes it harder for recruiters to get to know them.
You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room, but don’t let fear stop you from showing who you are.
5. Chasing the salary before the opportunity
Yes, money matters.
But leading with, “How much does it pay?” can send the wrong message.
As Thando Nxumalo from Thyssenkrupp explained, it may make recruiters feel as though you’re only interested in what you can get, rather than how you can contribute and grow within the company.
There will be time to discuss salaries. At a career fair, focus on learning about the role and the opportunities available.
6. Forgetting that the little things count
Sometimes, the smallest details separate two equally strong candidates.
One recruiter shared a story about two interviewees who were almost impossible to choose between. After the interview, one candidate stood up and walked away. The other took a second to push their chair back under the table before leaving.
Guess who left the lasting impression?
That tiny gesture suggested something bigger: respect, thoughtfulness, and leaving a space better than you found it. The same goes for a smile, eye contact, good manners, and dressing intentionally.
Another recruiter recalled a student who arrived in a suit. When asked why, he simply smiled and said:
“I’m dressing for the position I want one day.”
It’s safe to say he was remembered.
7. Never asking how to improve
Career fairs aren’t just about proving yourself. They are also about growing.
If you’re struggling to land interviews, ask recruiters what you could improve.
If your CV isn’t working, ask why.
If your communication needs work, ask how to strengthen it.
Seeking feedback shows self-awareness and a genuine desire to learn qualities that every employer values.
After all, the strongest personal brands aren’t perfect. They’re constantly improving. Maybe you’re reading this before your first career fair. Maybe you’ve already graduated and think you’ve missed your chance.
Either way, these lessons don’t end when the exhibition stands go down. They follow you into networking events, job interviews, and every professional conversation you’ll have.
So, the next time you walk up to a recruiter, don’t just think about what you want to get from them.
Think about what they’ll remember about you.
FEATURED IMAGE: Image of Students engaging with recruiters at the Wits General Career Fair. By: Asisipho Mpahleni
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