Though a virtual career fair may not be a new concept anymore, for those of you who aren’t familiar with it, it’s an online event where employers and job seekers meet, and interviews and hiring happen on the go. The event can be conducted through teleconferencing, webinars, chat rooms, and webcasts.
To participate in an online career fair, job seekers upload their resumes to the portal conducting the event. Then, the resumes are matched with employers depending on the roles available and the skills the seekers have portrayed. Simple enough!
blogs.microsoft | A virtual career fair is the perfect place to crack interviews and bag jobs online
In light of the employment graph dipping across the world because of Coronavirus, attending virtual career fairs is probably something you’d not want to miss out on if given a chance. But, even more critical would be to crack one of those on-the-fly interviews.
So, if you’re looking to benefit from a virtual career fair, here’s what we suggest you should do:
Prepare in advance
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that this is just another online meeting. You need to study the companies expected at the fair and develop your resume to meet their needs. These days, companies look at employees’ social media handles to get more information about them, so professionalize your email addresses and your LinkedIn profile.
Be professional
Take a virtual interview as seriously as you would a face-to-face one. Dress up formally, stay attentive, and portray your eagerness to work and get selected. Brush up on your communication and presentation skills beforehand.
At the start of the fair, participants are usually needed to present their pitch wherein they explain why they should be offered the job they’re seeking. Make sure your pitch is professional and what a prospective employer would like to hear.
Read – 10 communication skills every professional needs to have
Fine tune your surroundings
After delivering your pitch, you may get an invitation to an interview. It’s better to be prepared in advance for it. Start with your environment. Pick a distraction-free space. If you’re attending from your room, make sure your background has something productive. Check the lighting, and don’t use your phone for the interview.
Read – 6 Tips for acing an online job interview
Check your gadgets and internet
Don’t be surprised this is making the list. The internet may disappoint you at the last minute. If you can’t trust your Wi-Fi, look for alternatives. Check your mail to ensure you have the correct link to the event. Check the audio of your computer and earphones. Check your web browsers and your flash players. In short, make sure you don’t face issues because of your infrastructure.
And finally…
If you’ve taken care of the pointers mentioned above, you’ve done your homework and should be ready to give the event your personal best. Remember to take a virtual career fair seriously. Register early, prepare in advance, and communicate professionally.
