25 Tips for Attending Online Career Fairs - CareerEnlightenment.com

During the FairThe big day has arrived! These tips will help you make the most of all the resources, meet-ups, and opportunities virtual career fairs have to offer.TAKE NOTESOnline career fairs often feature presentations, webinars, and chats. These interactions can help you to learn more about individual companies, network, and even improve your job-hunting skills. Taking notes will ensure you dont forget any important information and can help you highlight the best advice you hear during the fair.WEAR APPROPRIATE ATTIREYou may not be meeting people in person, but theyll still be able to see you if you need to talk over webcam so its essential to look professional. Do what you would do if you were heading into any professional situation, even if youre just online at home.TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WORKSHOPS AND WEBINARSIf a career fair is offering opportunities to learn more and improve your job-hunting and career development skills, then by all means take advantage. While not every webinar offered may interest you, make sure to make time for those that do.SHOW INTEREST AND INITIATIVEJob hunting isnt something you can do halfheartedly, even online. Show potential employers that youre interested in them by being the first to make contact. Send them your resume, introduce yourself, and make sure they know you really want to work for them.KEEP IT FORMALWhen chatting with employers and other job hunters online, make sure to keep your language professional. That means nothing inappropriate, no text speak, and no emoticons.NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORKOnline career fairs are an excellent place to network, just as their real-world counterparts are. Spend time not only talking to employers, but also others looking for work. You might make new friends or develop connections that can help you later on.BE PREPARED TO INTERVIEWInterviews are not guaranteed at on online job fair, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt be prepared. Always have everything you need for interviewing on hand, so if you get an opportunity you can jump on it.IF YOU HAVE TIME, BROWSE A BITThere can be a lot to take in at an online career fair, so if you have time, just browse around. You may see things you didnt know you were interested in that could help you find a job or even a new career path. It never hurts to look.START EARLYThe early bird gets the worm, as they say, and that advice is probably wise for attending career fairs as well. Dont wait until the fair is halfway over to start. Get in there early and start connecting!After Its OverDont just walk away and forget about your career fair experience once its over! Use these tips to ensure you keep the career ball rolling post-fair.ALWAYS GET INFORMATION FOR FOLLOW-UPIf you do interview with an employer during the career fair, dont bid adieu until youve gotten an email or phone number you can reach them at for follow-up. It will not only help put your mind at ease, but show them that youre truly interested in the job.REVIEW YOUR INTERAC TIONS AT THE END OF THE FAIRSome career fairs will let you go back and see what you said and did during the time you spent online. Review who you talked to, what interested you, and where you see potential. Stepping back can be valuable in keeping your career on track and helping you to find work.USE SOCIAL MEDIAShow just how pumped you are to be talking to a certain company or participating in a career fair by posting to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter about your experiences. Just remember to keep it positive, your future employers may see it.