THS Armada: a job hunting frenzy

Today was the first day of the biggest student-led career fair in Scandinavia. Two intense days where companies and organisations set up their booth in different locations on the main campus and students go around trying to find the perfect match for their summer internships or job after graduation.

If you’ve been to a career fair before, you know the drill: you bring a pile of CVs, your best smile and you go around trying to get noticed by a company, hoping they will take your application into account. It can be stressful, you have to sell yourself (which is not the most fun thing to do) and navigate through the chaos with a smile on your face. You may wonder why are we even putting ourselves through this, but the fact is, it’s actually helpful. Talking to an actual human being and not filling out another online application can really help you get a foot in the door and have a better grasp of what the company and the culture is about. It’s a chance to practice introducing yourself as a professional and you might even land a job with it, so in my opinion it’s a win-win!

THS Armada takes place for two days every year, and this year 174 companies are attending. It is a very important event for them too, since they have access to many students from all around Scandinavia (yes, many people travel to attend, so we are lucky it’s on our own campus!). It takes place in the Bibliotek, at KTH Entré and in Nymble, the student union building, and it’s free to attend for everyone, not only students.

Sustainability and diversity are the two core-values of the fair, thus there are special rooms where companies that particularly exhibit those values are grouped together: the Green Room, for sustainability, and the Diversity Room.

Many companies offer positions for summer internships, master’s thesis, permanent and part-time jobs. Even if you are not looking for anything right now, I suggest going around, to learn about companies that may interest you for future position, practice your networking skills and collect lots of free goodies (if you’ve been wanting a reusable water bottle, it’s your chance!).

I wish everyone good luck on their job/internship/thesis hunting journey, and to help you out, here are my *~tips~* for a successful career fair experience:

• Do your homework: I suggest preparing before the actual event, so you can make the most of it. Look at the companies that will attend and choose a couple that you are really interested in. Get info on those companies so you can ask meaningful questions to the representatives. Remember: they are spending two whole days in a crowded room so they will appreciate someone who will ask a different question than the rest.
• Relax: Try not to think of it as a competition between students to get a job, but rather as a competition between companies to get you! Be yourself and know the assets you want to show off, but don’t overthink it either. If you don’t end up landing a job, think of it as experience and practice!
• Have fun: I know my most successful interviews/networking events were when I didn’t even talk about the job. Sometimes you’ll find a representative that has the same interests as you, and you’ll have a great talk, which they will remember. They are human too and they are also there to look for people who will fit in the company personality-wise, so don’t hesitate to show your true colors!