Tech Fair in Horten & Job Fair in Drammen – A Mixed Experience

October 16, 2025

This week I attended both the Tech Fair in Horten and the Job Fair in Drammen. Expectations were high, my CV was fresh, and motivation was at its peak. The result? Let's just say it was a mixed bag — with both gems and disappointments.

🏆 Horten Tech Fair – The Winner: Kraftlauget#

Let me start with the highlight: Kraftlauget. Wow. Just wow.

This was a company I hadn't heard of before, but they truly impressed. They brought prototypes, engaged people who actually wanted to talk, and a genuine interest in showcasing what they're working on. It wasn't just a booth with brochures and QR codes — these were people passionate about what they do, and it's contagious.

We got to see technology in practice, discuss solutions, and I left with both inspiration and a feeling that "these are companies I want to work with". Kraftlauget set the standard for what a fair booth should be.

💼 Other Positive Encounters#

Beyond Kraftlauget, I also had good conversations with:

• Sopra Steria – Professional, open to dialogue, and gave a good impression of what they're looking for
• JOTRON – Interesting technology and friendly people
• AGS – Solid booth with people who took time to talk

These booths showed that it is possible to make a fair engaging. They had people who were present, interested, and actually wanted to meet potential candidates.

😕 The Disappointments – Ranstad and Horten Municipality#

Now we come to the less pleasant experiences.

Horten Municipality – Absent Host#

Horten Municipality had a booth. But no people. Just a pre-made promotional video on loop and some brochures.

When you're hosting a Tech Fair in Horten Municipality, you'd think they'd... be present? It seemed like they were so confident people would come to them that they couldn't be bothered to send anyone to actually represent the municipality. A bit sad, if you ask me.

Ranstad – "We're Not Accepting CVs"#

Ranstad was another disappointment. Along with several other booths, I experienced that they weren't interested in receiving CVs or applications. They just wanted to "meet people" and "build networks".

Fair enough — but then I wonder: What's the point of a Tech Fair if employers aren't actually looking to meet potential employees? Maybe I'm misunderstanding the concept, but to me it felt like wasted time standing in line only to be told "we're not hiring right now".

📋 The Registration Chaos#

Another frustration: The amount of registrations.

Every booth had its own QR code, its own form, its own "sign up for our network" solution. After the fifth registration, it started feeling more like spam than networking.

I understand companies want contact info, but there should be a more streamlined way to do this. Maybe a common platform for the fair? Just a thought.

🚫 Job Fair Drammen – A Fiasco#

After the (partial) success in Horten, I headed to the Job Fair in Drammen. Expectations were moderate, but hope was there.

Unfortunately, it was a disappointment.

I barely found any relevant companies, and the few I spoke with weren't looking to hire. Again — maybe I'm misunderstanding what a job fair is, but I thought the point was to meet employers who are actually seeking people?

It felt more like a "come hear about us" fair than an actual recruitment arena. I left empty-handed and a bit disillusioned.

🤔 What Did I Learn?#

Despite the disappointments, I took away some important lessons:

1. Quality over quantity – A few good conversations (like with Kraftlauget) are worth more than 20 superficial meetings
2. Be critical – Not all fairs are equal. Check who's participating before spending time going
3. Expect nothing – Go in with an open mind, but don't expect all booths to be there to hire
4. Networking takes time – Even though I didn't get a job on the spot, the contacts might be valuable later

📝 Summary#

Horten Tech Fair: A small success. Kraftlauget alone made the trip worthwhile, and I had some good conversations with other companies too.

Job Fair Drammen: A small fiasco. Few relevant companies, none actively seeking employees, and generally low engagement.

Would I do it again? Yes, but with lower expectations and better research beforehand.

Next time I'll at least know what I'm getting into — and I'll prioritize fairs where companies are actually looking to meet candidates, not just "build brand awareness".

Have you been to similar fairs? What are your experiences? Feel free to share in the comments (when I get around to implementing that... 😅)