Employers are increasingly experimenting with creative methods to find and attract workers.
Thats where virtual career fairs come in.
They are definitely a win-win for both job seekers and employers.
They can be nationwide, on-demand and discreet.
They can also reach new audiences that might not be able to make it to in-person events.
You dont have to travel for either.
But I may be able to get away for an hour or two.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Many companies that frequent the virtual fairs dont have recruiting personnel, South says.
So its engineers logging on to a virtual fair speaking to other engineers.
Heres what you could do to stand out as a candidate.
Much of this advice can also be applied to general virtual job interviews.
But dont mistake the convenience for insignificance; attending one could actually take a little extra planning and practice.
Heres how to stand out from the virtual crowd.
Do the Proper Legwork
Just because the job fair is online doesnt make it any less important.
Dont fall into that trap.
Instead of doling out your documents, youll typically need to upload them on the website.
(The trees will thank you.)
To cater to employers on both Macs and PCs, Vicente says to keep your documents as PDFs.
(Weve got your back if you need some help crafting yourresumeorcover letter.)
But beware information flows both ways.
The employer is also at the computer and can just as easily look you up.
Vicente recommends a pulse check on your social media to be safe.
see to it all of the privacy options are set to the highest level, she says.
The exception, of course, is LinkedIn.
Vicente says to show off your profile and customize the URL, too.
Just keep it professional.
For other tips on making your LinkedIn profile sing,check out our guide.
The best time to consider them is before the event.
The night before is a great time to confirm everything is ready to go.
Is your virtual career fair profile properly registered?
Are your web surfing app and flash player up-to-date?
Are your documents organized and ready to go?
And dont forget the motherlode of technological issues: Wi-Fi.
It has a way of cutting out at the most inconvenient times.
The best way to skirt that problem is to expect it.
Hard-wire your ethernet cable into your gear.
That way your connection will be faster and more stable.
Technology also has a way of bringing out our worst tendencies.
No yups, Ks or sups employers keep an eye on things like grammar and tone.
You have to be concerned with how youre coming through in writing, Oliver-Plath says.
Do not use any language that you would use in a text.
Be Interview-Ready
You did your homework.
You nailed the small talk with employers.
Now you might just get an invitation for an interview on the spot.
That may not always be the case, but it certainly doesnt hurt to be prepared.
At a virtual event, that could mean being ready to go on camera.
South says one of the biggest complaints from employers is that candidates attend virtual fairs from public spaces.
So confirm youre in a distraction-free environment for the interview.
Trial runs are your saving grace.
I think its absolutely necessary that you treat it like an in-person interview, Vicente says.
Dress to impress; dress just like you would [at] a regular interview.
Weve unfortunately had people that have put on a buttoned-up shirt, Vicente laughs.
But the phone fell, and we saw that they were wearing boxers.
Recruiters really want to see that youre taking the video interview seriously.
Its all fair game.
Another element to keep in mind is eye contact.
Vicente shared these additional tips to nail the video interview:
Oliver-Plath also had some tips of her own.
Her biggest piece of advice?
Absolutely never interview on a handheld machine.
Its very obvious to the interviewer, usually low-quality and takes up one or both of your hands.
But what if youre checking into the virtual job fair from your car during lunch break?
A phone is all you might have.
Adam Hardy is a former staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
