Preparing for a Virtual Career Fair
Before the Virtual Fair
First Steps
- Register for the career fair ahead of time and create a calendar reminder
- Visit Handshake (or the website where the virtual career fair is being hosted) to research the companies you are interested in connecting with
- Sign up for one-on-one and group employer sessions in advance of the date of the fair
- Update your resume and have it reviewed at The Career Center
- Upload your updated resume to Handshake (or other platform) so employers can easily access it before and during the fair
- Prepare your introduction and elevator pitch
- Prepare your business professional attire
- Prepare questions for each employer
- Check your internet connection and video applications beforehand
What to Expect
- Remember that just because you’re a part of a virtual career fair doesn’t mean that the jobs available will be remote positions
- The format of a virtual career fair varies based on the host, and how you will interact with employers depends on the setup. There may be group information sessions, one-on-one video sessions, or group/individual chats
- One-on-one sessions with employers will typically be 10 minutes or less
- Some employers may take the fair as an opportunity to screen and interview candidates
During the Virtual Fair
How to Approach Employers
- Establish eye contact (look at your camera, not your computer screen), smile, and introduce yourself
- Be confident and upbeat
- Be ready to engage and have a conversation with the recruiter once you have been greeted
- Relax and speak slowly
- Articulate how your interests and qualifications are well-aligned with the organization's needs.
Virtual Fair Tips
- Attend the fair in a distraction free, quiet, environment
- Be prepared to confidently engage with the employer(s)
- Show up to your sessions on time
- Demonstrate professional body language and good posture
- Speak clearly and showcase your professionalism
- Have a digital copy of your resume and questions for each employer prepared
- Ask for next steps and contact information
- Take notes and re-group after an employer session
- Type/Speak clearly and showcase your professionalism
- Avoid slang and emojis when typing in the chat
- When typing, type your chat responses in Word and then paste into the career fair chat box
- Take notes about the conversation
- Request contact information and ask about next steps
- Smile and thank the recruiter to conclude
After the Virtual Fair
Following Up
- Within 24 hours send a “Thank You” email to all employers you spoke with
- Keep a spreadsheet of all contacts made with employers
- Connect with the recruiter on LinkedIn
- Within 7–10 days of the job fair, make follow-up contact with the representatives with whom you spoke about a possible interview