Employer registration for the Fall 2020 Virtual Career Fair is now open.
How to Navigate a Virtual Career Fair
Virtual career fairs offer the possibility of connecting with even more employers than in-person career fairs. Instead of meeting a recruiter in person, you will only interact over video. Here are some tips to help you boost your chances of finding that great opportunity:
1 Use a stable device.
Consider using a laptop or desktop that is resting on a desk or table. This ensures that your screen does not move while you are talking to the employer. If you decide to use your mobile device, find a way to prop it up so you don’t need to hold it. You’ll be able to speak freely without worrying about moving or dropping your device. Whatever device you choose to use, make sure the camera works, and that you are either plugged in or are fully charged, with several hours of battery life.
2 Check your Wi-Fi or internet connection. For the best experience at the fair, you will need a steady and reliable Wi-Fi or internet connection with download and upload speeds of at least 2 Mbps to support video chats. If you don’t have access in your residence hall, home or library, connect with Penn College Career Services for a solid connection. Wired internet connections are often more stable and reliable than wireless.
3 Optimize background and lighting.
Check your surroundings to make sure that things are orderly. You don’t want to be embarrassed by compromising items in the background, such as open bottles, controversial materials, or a pile of dirty laundry. Find a quiet place where you can concentrate and not be disturbed by roommates, family members, or pets. If you don’t have access to such a place Penn College Career Services have conference rooms, interview rooms, or open offices that can be used. Lighting is also an important consideration. Avoid having bright light or sunny windows behind you: your face will not show up well on camera. However, have some light on you, so that the employer can see you when you are talking.
4 Dress professionally.
Professional attire will help you to make a good first impression. Some experts advise dressing as if you were attending an interview; others say that business casual – button-down shirt or blouse – is reasonable. From a video perspective, it is also good to wear solid colors, avoiding clothes with lots of patterns, stripes or plaids.
5 Turn notifications off.
While you are in the live virtual career fair, you will want to focus your attention on connecting with employers. To avoid being distracted, turn off notifications for social media, news, and other applications.
6 Have your resume on hand.
While you may have already uploaded your resume for employers to see, you should have a copy of your resume nearby. An employer may start your video chat by asking you something specific on your resume, and you will want to be able to speak to it without missing a beat. Video chats are short and timed, so you want to make the most of every minute you have with an employer.
7 Pick your chat strategy: Group vs. 1-on-1.
Both group and 1-on-1 chats can be great ways to interact with an employer. Which one you choose depends on your immediate goal. Group video chats are a great way to learn about a company, ask general questions, and hear the responses to other students’ inquiries. If you have found an employer you are interested in, then a 1-on-1 video chat is the better way to see if there are opportunities for and to advance to the next stage of the hiring process.
8 Research and plan ahead of time.
You will get more out of the experience if you have researched, in advance, the employers who will be in attendance, their profiles, and jobs that they are offering. Use that research to create a prioritized list of companies with whom you would like to speak, so you know exactly which employer lines to get into when the virtual career fair opens.
9 Arrive on time.
Similar to an in-person fair, it’s best to arrive on time. Unlike a physical fair, you can stand in multiple lines at once, so arriving when the fair starts means you will get top spots for the employers on your prioritized list.
10 Take notes.
When you have finished a video chat with an employer, make sure to take notes. You may talk to many companies over the course of the fair, and you will want to remember specific information about each employer for follow up after the fair.
11 Apply to jobs.
If you enjoyed your video chat with an employer, then check out the company’s job postings. Go ahead and show your enthusiasm by applying to the jobs immediately after the fair.
12 Send thank you notes.
After the fair is over, you can retrieve the names of company representatives, emails, and notes that you have taken. Use this information to send thank you notes to the representatives, expressing your interest and gratitude for taking the time to video chat with you. Making this extra effort can help the representatives remember you in a positive light.
Past Employers
Many employers join us for each Career Fair. See who has recruited Penn College students and grads before.
View the Spring 2020 employer listing
Don't miss out!
Although the Virtual Career Fair is scheduled to run until 5 p.m., we strongly recommend that you log in to the Career Hub as early as possible.
For additional information about the Career Fair, contact the Career Events Manager or call 570-327-4502.
Employers
Penn College has nearly 5,000 students, prepared for a lifetime of success by combining classroom theory with hands-on training. Our students learn in modern facilities using state-of-the-art equipment from faculty who know the world of work.