How to Attend a Virtual Job Fair

Thought you had to show up in a suit to attend a career fair? Not anymore. Career fairs have gone the way of the Internet--so if you'd prefer to shop around for a job in your PJs--it's now possible. Here are some tips for attending a virtual job fair.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Pen
• Paper
• Resume

Instructions

1. 

   Keep your resume handy. Since you'll be answering questions live, you'll want to have your resume in front of you in the event you need to reference your past experience.

   You should also have a pen and paper ready to jot down any notes. The recruiter may ask for more information or a follow-up interview, so you'll need to be ready to take down any necessary information.

2. 

   Find a fair. Do some Internet searches on virtual career fairs. Before the fair begins, make sure you have time to set up a profile that professionally represents you. If you're asked to make an avatar or a virtual representation of what you look like, use a professional photo or make your virtual character as professional as possible. Get familiar with using the site before the event begins, so you're comfortable using the technology.

3. 

   Walk around. Go to various booths to explore the different employers at the fair. Do a full circle of the "room" to get an idea of what companies are there. If you can look at that ahead of time, that will help you go right to the company you want first.

4. 

   Be prepared to sell yourself. Remember that getting a job nowadays isn't as simple as talking about your past experiences and identifying your strengths and weaknesses. You'll need to sell yourself, so have a list detailing why the company should hire you. Include accomplishments and skills--anything that will help you stand out from the crowd.

5. 

   Communicate carefully. Just like you would stay professional during an interview, keep your responses typo-free and polite. Be professional and skip the smiley faces. Additionally, make sure not to type in all lowercase words. Finally, be polite--thank you's and hello's go a long way!

Resources

• InXpo