Do you want to land your dream job or internship in 2021? Then, attending a job fair can be a great starting point for you!
There are virtual and in-person job fairs happening every day that can significantly increase the chances of getting hired.
However, due to the pandemic still taking its toll on the global economy, virtual job fairs gained more popularity. And the good news is that it can work in your favor since you can connect with companies and recruiters from all over the world, from the comfort of your home.
This blog post will teach you how to prepare for your next virtual career fair so that you can stand out from the competition and get hired as quickly as possible!
1. Keep the traditional interview etiquette in mind (yes, it still applies online)
It’s crucial to conduct yourself in a professional manner.
Before you start networking with recruiters, prepare your virtual booth with the usual items you would see at an in-person career fair (laptop, notebook, charger, pens). Have these items ready and organized so that you can quickly set up your virtual booth for maximum exposure during the virtual career fair.
You want to be able to quickly connect with employers/recruiters who are looking into hiring individuals with your skillset. Make sure you have everything ready to go before the virtual career fair begins so that you can spend more time engaging with potential employers/recruiters during the virtual job fair.
While technology is probably one of the biggest reasons why virtual job fairs are on the rise, it’s important to remember that traditional etiquette still applies here.
Job fair etiquette tips for virtual career fairs:
– Be professional and courteous at all times.
– Demonstrate effective communication skills.
– Wear appropriate attire (don’t just appear in your pajamas on camera).
– Greet attendees and show genuine interest in the company.
– Ask meaningful questions or feedback.
2. Polish your resume (you can even use AI tools to improve your resume)
As more virtual career fairs debut on the market, attending virtual job fairs increases your chances of getting hired. But only if you have a spot-on resume.
In fact, some companies have received impressive resumes from people who were hired right after participating in virtual job fairs.
So, don’t just focus on the virtual career fair and neglect your resume.
If you want to update your virtual resume for this virtual career fair, then we even suggest using AI-powered resume builders for customizing your resume with specific keywords for the position you are interested in.
This way, you can polish your virtual resume with ease! Plus, no matter which career fair you are attending (online or offline), this virtual resume builder is perfect for polishing your resume in order to stand out from other applicants and make a great first impression.
3. Keep reasonable expectations (often companies don’t offer on-the-spot recruitment)
If you’re attending virtual career fairs in order to get hired, then it’s crucial to keep reasonable expectations. Most employers won’t start recruiting for open positions on the spot during virtual career fairs. Instead, most virtual job fair companies allow you to submit your resume for future consideration.
Remember that virtual job fairs are opportunities to network and meet potential employers and recruitment specialists. Your goal at virtual career fairs is not necessarily getting recruited immediately but making connections with various companies and recruiters who could help you land a job or internship down the line.
Don’t be discouraged if you aren’t recruited on the spot during virtual job fairs – eventually, somebody will see your value and provide an opportunity for you!
4. Do your homework (learn what the recruiters or employers are looking for)
There are many reasons why to attend virtual career fairs, but one of the main reasons is to learn more about the companies and what they’re looking for.
In order to secure a virtual interview or spot at a virtual career fair, you need to know what the company needs from you.
You need to do your homework and check out the companies that attend virtual job fairs. Get a good feel of what these organizations focus on or what positions they’re hiring for.
Learn their vision and mission. Check their website and social media. Sometimes a recent tweet or Facebook post can be a great way to keep the conversation going, and they may even get impressed with your interest.
5. Practice your 30-second pitch (and make it sound natural)
It’s important that when you talk to company representatives, you sound professional and comfortable with what you’re saying.
Most virtual career fairs only last for an hour or two, so if you manage to quickly show why you’re qualified for this position, recruiters may request a virtual interview later.
Make sure your 30-second elevator pitch is ready by preparing some key messages on why they should hire you. Practice to quickly “sell yourself” within a 30-second pitch, and practice your pitch over and over until it sounds natural.
Also, be prepared to back up your pitch with specific examples from your resume or portfolio of work. This will help them see how your past experiences have prepared you for the career fair opportunities.
6. Emphasize your soft skills (show that you share the same values as the company)
The virtual job fairs are a chance for you to showcase your skills and talents. You need to work on what will make you stand out from the other participants such as your excellent soft skills.
Companies want to work with individuals who will be the best fit for their workplace environment. They’re looking for talented workers but they also value people who share their company values.
Since you’ve already done your homework by learning their mission, vision, or what types of skills they are looking for, you can now showcase your soft skills that can make a lasting impression.
Practice virtual handshakes. Share what you know about the company. Emphasize you have experience or skills that can help them succeed. Convey those specific messages in a clear manner without any distractions.
7. Have an exit strategy (plan a follow-up strategy that will demonstrate appreciation)
If you want to land your dream job or internship at the job fair, you should also have an exit strategy that will demonstrate appreciation and empathy at the end of the virtual event.
Following up with the representative you’ve talked to at the job fair is a great way to say thank you for their time and reiterate your interest once again in the job position.
This can remind them about your conversation earlier and maybe prove to them that you are an ideal candidate.
In this blog post, we’ve discussed how you can stand out from the competition with our tips on preparing for the next job fair like an expert.
And now you will get a chance!
Vrabotuvanje is organizing the annual Regional Job Fair, and we from Breon are participating. We are open for any interested civil engineers who want to land the job of their dreams.
Equipped with the knowledge from this article, you will be ready in no time to grasp this amazing opportunity and apply your skills for landing your dream job.
We invite all interested candidates and interns to join us on 13 – 20 October, so hurry up and join us today!
References:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-prepare-for-a-job-fair
https://manhattan.edu/news/archive/2020/01/tips-to-land-your-dream-job-or-internship.php
