APU Careers Careers & Learning

The Virtual Career Fair Advantage

By Cathy FrancoisInfluencer_Program
Contributor, Career Services

The idea of virtual career fair is a relatively new concept. These days, just about anything can be facilitated through technology, and a career fair is no exception. We can pay our bills, go to classes, chat with friends, and even lock our front doors with a quick tap of a button.  As a career coach, I am still asked, “What’s a virtual career fair,” and, “How does it work?”  Although you are not meeting recruiters or hiring manager’s in-person, there are several positives to attending a virtual career fair, and all job seekers should take advantage of this unique opportunity.

There’s no traffic (besides bandwidth) or expensive travel cost to consider with virtual career fairs.  This is especially advantageous for potential candidates seeking to relocate, as the participating employers may be located in an area to which they are interested in moving. In addition, although virtual career fairs may be hosted online, they are sometimes targeted for a local area or may be designed for an exclusive set of job seekers. For job seekers who fit these criteria, it helps increase the likelihood of finding positions of interest. Please keep in mind that like most job fairs, pre-registration is often required. Depending upon the platform being used, you may also be able to have your resume uploaded beforehand for employers to review, as is the case with our university job board.

The advantage of an in person career fair is the opportunity to meet an employer face-to-face, which is clearly advantageous for extroverted individuals. However, a crowded and noisy room can be intimidating for many introverts (of which I am one). Nervous, and soon to be discouraged, job seekers may just walk around to collect cool trinkets at the different tables. In the event we do speak to a recruiter, it often leads to an awkward moment as we try to remember our elevator pitch.  This scenario is compounded if we feel the pressure to talk quickly because of the others in the line behind us.

In contrast, virtual career fairs offer the opportunity for group chats or individual chats. And if you really make an impression, the opportunity for video chat may be possible, so be sure to dress the part. However, virtual or not, be prepared. Be sure to greet and interact with recruiters professionally in a chat setting, just as you would in person. Avoid text lingo abbreviations to prevent miscommunication and being perceived as unprofessional. Create a “cheat sheet” with your elevator statement and insightful questions to ask the recruiter. Just as with a traditional job fair, researching companies of interest beforehand is critical.

Virtual or not, career fairs offer an opportunity to make a connection that may lead to your next career opportunity. Preparing your resume, conducting research, and knowing what you bring to the table as a professional are keys to getting an interview.  You may not drive to or even put on slacks for a virtual career fair, but there’s no room for slacking if you would like to take advantage of its benefits. For assistance on how to prepare for and succeed at our Virtual Career Fair, please contact careerservices@apus.edu today!

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