Tips to Ace a Virtual Job Fair
Now that we’re almost a year into remote job and internship searches, it’s a good time to reflect upon and strengthen your virtual job fair skills! Check out the following tips to make sure you leave a good impression on the recruiters and company representatives you’ll meet at job fairs and info sessions.
DRESS PROFESSIONALLY
As tempting as it may be to stay in your pajamas for virtual events, your attire makes a strong impression on the recruiters you’ll meet with before you say a single word. Even though you may not be asked to stand up, dressing up below the view of the camera can help you feel more prepared and professional. Below are some general suggestions for “business professional” dress:
Men
Tie
Dress shirt
Women
Business blouse
Simple hair, makeup, and jewelry
Your clothing should be ironed, well-fitted, and comfortable so you look relaxed and at ease during the session. Additionally, you do not want to look flashy or inappropriate, as you want to make a professional impression.
SET UP YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Choose a background that is sparse and neat, such as a blank wall or a neat bookshelf. Sit in a brightly-lit room or facing a light source. Find a comfortable, quiet space and communicate to any people to give you space during the fair. Silence your phone, turn off your notifications, and eliminate anything else that could distract you.
CHECK YOUR TECH
Charge your laptop, find a strong internet connection, and check the platform before the fair begins. Note that the fair will be held over Remo Virtual Conferencing Software instead of Zoom or Google Meet.
RESEARCH
It is imperative that you take the time to do background research so you are prepared in your conversations with the interviewers. Know basic information about the industry and the firms that are attending the session so that you can ask intelligent and thoughtful questions. This will help you stand out among the hundreds of students that they will meet because it will demonstrate that you are serious, informed, and enthusiastic about your career interests.
REHEARSE YOUR INTRODUCTION
Body language and what you say to introduce yourself are both very important in making a good impression. Smile and enjoy yourself as much as possible — be confident, professional, and relaxed. Make sure you’ve got a brief, roughly one-minute answer prepared for common interview questions such as:
“So tell me about yourself,” “Walk me through your resume,” and “Why are you here today?”
Your answers should reflect your passions, experience, and areas of expertise. Don’t memorize a script, but do be familiar with key points you want to emphasize.
FINAL TIPS
Keep a copy of your resume on deck and be ready to pull it up and talk about it. Without appearing distracted on the call, make note of what you talked about so you can follow up after the conversation. Be sure to ask for their contact information.
Keep in mind that these are suggestions based on past experiences and recruiter feedback. Following these tips will make you look sharp at these events, but being yourself is how you really stand out. Enjoy yourself!
Best of luck to you all at the UBS Jobs & Internship Fair! Just remember that all of these individuals were once students, just like you, so they understand what you are experiencing. Be your confident self, try to engage with the representatives on a personal level, and enjoy the opportunity to explore your career interests and internship prospects.