5 Tips to Make the Virtual Job Fair Work for You Today’

Today's the big day. Hope you did your homework, cleaned your room and are in the zone because this is when it counts.  Headshot done? Check. Website updated? Check. If you're not sure if you've covered everything, refer to the list I posted on Monday.  So, are you ready to give to give one a try? And now it's time for ...

Remember to:

1. Act professional. If you're used to communicating in a casual tone while you're online, stay alert. In most industries, you'll want to avoid slang or trendy text abbreviations. Although the world may be more relaxed these days, manners still count, so be sure to address your interviewers by their proper titles of Mr. and Ms. unless otherwise instructed.
2. Budget your time. Traditional and digital job fairs have at least one thing in common. You may run into long lines at the recruiting booths for popular companies. See if you can drop off your resume instead of waiting around. It also helps to arrive early and allow some extra time in case of delays. And when you do get a chance to speak to an interviewer be sure to respect their time by not monopolizing their time. If a line develops behind you, be sensitive to that. If you are particularly interested in making another contact, it is fine to come back again when the line has died down.
3. Take notes and gather contact information. Write down your observations and comments for each of the companies that you interacted with at the job fair as well as other fair participants. Write down the names of people who piqued your interest as you moved from booth to booth. Once the fair is over you'll be able to research each company’s key staff on LinkedIn or other industry networking sites. Follow up with phone calls and, if your new acquaintances are new, try to arrange a face-to-face meeting with them at a local coffee house.
4. Broaden your education. Make a point of taking advantage of the career fair extras like webinars and workshops on industry topics and generalized job hunting tips. Not only can you meet more people who may be able to help you move forward in your quest for a job, but you’ll also pick up a few new tricks to use on your next interview.
5. Always remember to say “Thanks.” Maintain a spirit of gratitude. We all need someone to help us to move to the next chapter of our lives. Remember to thank the recruiters, organizers and even other participants for whatever time and assistance they’ve shared with you. Send an email to the company representative who gave you a valuable referral. Post a comment online letting the hosts know how much you appreciated their event. And don’t neglect the value of a handwritten Thank You card sent to someone’s office. It is an old-fashioned way to show thanks, but greatly appreciated by others.

Virtual career fairs are becoming more and more popular. If you do a search on Google for career fair or job fair and your surrounding area, you may be surprised to learn that there is a fair being held near you. Take the time to learn how to make a strong impression online so you'll be ready to land a position and advance your career.