A full house for the first CERN Alumni & ATLAS Job Fair

Last Wednesday, we had the pleasure of hosting the very first joint CERN Alumni & ATLAS Job Fair at CERN.

Organised during the ATLAS Collaboration Week, when the site is already buzzing with activity, the event brought 14 companies from the local region, across Europe and even the United States to meet CERN members and alumni.
👉 https://alumni.cern/events/199901

From the moment the doors opened at 09:00 until closing time at 18:00, the Main Building — particularly the Pas Perdu and Mezzanine areas — was filled to capacity. The steady flow of participants throughout the day demonstrated clearly how valued and needed such initiatives are, both for potential applicants and for companies seeking exceptional talent.

Why CERN talent stands out

The Office for Alumni Relations spoke with recruiters and alumni working within the participating companies to gather their impressions — and, in particular, to understand why they are so keen to recruit CERN talent.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Many recruiters already employ CERN alumni and spoke with enthusiasm about the technical excellence and depth of knowledge they bring. Beyond strong scientific and engineering foundations, recruiters highlighted:

• rigorous problem-solving skills

• a research-driven mindset

• the ability to collaborate effectively

• intellectual curiosity and creativity

• thoughtful, high-level discussions

One recruiter shared a comment that particularly resonated with us: at most job fairs, companies speak with hundreds of people, but only a small fraction truly match their needs.
At CERN, however, nearly every conversation was relevant. The profiles, experience and mindset developed here are rare — and highly sought after.

Direct access in a challenging job market

Participants equally appreciated the opportunity for direct, first-hand contact with recruiters. Many arrived prepared with CVs, exchanged contact details and engaged in in-depth discussions about career paths and company cultures.

In today’s competitive job market, the chance to network in person, make a meaningful first impression and gain insights directly from employers is invaluable. Numerous attendees expressed the hope that such job fairs would become a regular feature of the alumni calendar.

What’s next?

While the event itself may be over, the opportunities continue. Many participating companies have posted open positions on the CERN Alumni job board,  we encourage you to explore them.

The next CERN Alumni Job Fair is already scheduled for March 2027. Follow our news channels for updates and announcements.

In the meantime:

• If you are a company interested in hiring CERN talent,

• or if you are a CERN alum working in a company and looking for your next outstanding colleague,

do not hesitate to post vacancies on the alumni platform (free of charge) or contact us to organise a Virtual Company Showroom — another highly appreciated, complimentary initiative connecting companies with CERN members and alumni.

To all those currently exploring new opportunities: good luck with your applications.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event.