From e-books to university courses taught solely in the cybersphere, the Internet is changing the way we interact, learn and communicate. Now it’s transforming the way people network through the rise of virtual career fairs.
Imagine being able to put your resume in the hands of multiple recruiters in one afternoon without leaving your home. Now imagine securing an interview with one of those recruiters regardless of geographic restrictions.
Sound too good to be true? Not if you’re capitalizing on the unique benefits of a virtual job fair.
Cyber-based fairs and networking events are a great way to meet potential employers and professional connections without the once-necessary inconvenience of traveling to a career expo.
But new technologies do come with a few roadblocks. One of the biggest for these online events is that attendees often don’t know what to expect or how to optimize their experience. To help you find your way, we’ve put together a list of tips for your next virtual career fair. Check it out.
1. Do Your Homework
Just like preparing for a traditional, in-person interview, researching the company and the position is a must. Before the event, review the roster of employers participating and the types of jobs available at that particular job fair.
Once you have a better understanding of which companies will be there, visit those companies’ websites and social media pages to educate yourself on important company news. Simple research like this will set you apart from the crowd and show recruiters that you’re a serious candidate.
2. Choose the Right Fair
Doing your homework is also an important principle for choosing which virtual job fairs to attend. Don’t just participate in an online fair because you can.
Check job board websites, like Monster and Brazen Careerist, for listings of upcoming fairs. LinkedIn, industry groups and college career centers can also point you in the right direction for job fairs featuring companies in your industry and in areas where you’d like to live.
3. Update Your Resume and Social Media Accounts
When you register for the fair, you’ll probably have to fill out a profile and upload a basic resume with photo. Tweak your resume before submitting it — or even better, create several versions of it to match the specific jobs you’re applying for. Save each resume with a detailed description to your desktop so you can quickly and easily refer back to it.
It goes without saying that you should always keep your social media accounts “work appropriate,” but just in case, be sure to scrub your online profiles of any “unprofessional” posts on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Don’t lose a potential job because of a careless mistake.
4. Dress for Success
Just because you’re networking from your couch doesn’t mean you should dress like it. Often times, there’s a video component to virtual career fairs, but even when there’s not, be sure to wear the same professional outfit you’d wear for a real face-to-face interview. Virtual job fairs may seem less formal and more relaxed, but when it comes down to the main goal of finding a job, they’re just as professional.
Recruiters take these events seriously and they don’t want to waste their time talking with a candidate who couldn’t even bother changing out of his or her pajamas. Dressing professionally shows them that you also take this seriously.
5. Choose the Right Setting
You may not think that where you access the virtual career matters, but it does. Take note of your surroundings. Are there distractions in the background that will take away from your conversation with recruiters? Do you have a dog at home that may start barking? Is there loud construction going on in your neighborhood? These are all factors to take into consideration when deciding where you’ll participate. If there’s even an ounce of doubt that your home may be distracting, consider booking a private conference room at your local library.
We understand that technical difficulties happen, but do your part to take the necessary precautions beforehand. Make sure you have a good, reliable Internet connection and double check that your phone or computer battery is fully charged so that you don’t lose power in the middle of a conversation.
6. Plan Your Questions and Talking Points
Come up with several relevant questions you can use to start the conversation. Open-ended questions tend to spark more insightful responses, but if you get stuck, asking “why” is a sure-fire way to elicit a deeper explanation.
You can also post sticky notes on your desk to remind you of three main selling points about yourself. These will help keep you focused and guarantee you present your best self.
7. Be Ready to Dive Right In
There’s no better way to show your assertiveness by diving right in to the conversation. Don’t wait for the other person to begin the chat — introduce yourself right away! But don’t be over-bearing. Chat session can last as few as 10 minutes, so don’t waste precious time waiting for someone else to begin the conversation.
If you’re worried about freezing up, write a brief introduction for yourself before the event begins. You’re guaranteed to make a strong first impression if you keep it brief and highlight the main points in a few sentences that describe you, your experience and your goals.
8. Take Notes
This might be the easiest — and most important — key to a successful virtual career fair. Before logging on, jot down some notes on the companies participating, like their core values, mission statement or company culture. What job openings do they have listed? Why are you a viable choice for that job title? What would you bring to the company?
Use your notes to help develop questions when talking with recruiters. Having notes prepared beforehand to answer the tough questions will make you seem more confident and put you ahead of the competition.
9. Follow Up After the Event
It’s always good manners to send thank you notes to any who takes the time to talk to you, especially if they’re helping you find a career. A simple thank you note will impress recruiters and keep your name and resume fresh in their mind.
Also, be sure to connect on LinkedIn with the people you met during the career fair. This a great way to not only keep the relationship alive, but it allows the other people to learn more details about your background that might not have been mentioned on your resume.
Now that you have the steps to maximize your next online job fair, put them into practice! Burns & McDonnell is hosting its first Diversity Virtual Career Fair Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Central time), and we want to see you there!
This is your opportunity to connect with recruiters and hiring managers here at Burns & McDonnell, where employee-owners work with the advantages of cutting-edge ideas and technology. Interested in learning more? Click here to register!
Lauren Bertram is a recruitment manager for Burns & McDonnell. She heads up our college recruiting team and oversees our K-12 and intern programs. If you want to learn more about our educational outreach, intern program or working at Burns & McDonnell, connect with Lauren on LinkedIn.
Other posts you might like:
Tips for Using Social Media to Get a Job
7 Strategies for Networking Your Way Into an Exciting Job
Getting the Most Out of Online Job Websites
So Long, Interview Suit: Here Comes the Virtual Career Fair
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