Thinking about Attending a Virtual Career Fair? Don't Forget to Network! Here are 12 Tips to get you
picture from: blogs.oregonstate.com
Networking is an essential part of the job search and career advancement. Career Fairs are a perfect opportunity for networking if you prepare yourself and have a plan for a successful outcome.
Here are some tips to get you engaging in networking before and during the career fair:
Identify Type of Career Fair - There are a lot of career fairs all across the country that might specialized in showcasing specific companies or fields, identify the type of career fair you want to attend base on the job you are looking for. The Metro New York Chapter of the National Black MBA Association host about 4 virtual career fairs every year that features a lot of great companies, visit nyblackmba.org and then hit the events tab to learn more.
Research - First visit the job fair website and review the list of companies that will be in attendance, check out the job opportunities and see if they measure up to what you are looking for. It is very important to read through the entire job description to get as much valuable information as possible to decide if the position might be a good fit for you. Check out the companies website and search online for news article, blogs, any relevant information that you can find. This will help you to formulate questions to ask and make conversation during your one on one sessions. In addition, while doing your research on the companies, pay attention to the hiring managers or persons that will be assigned to the company's table and reach out to network with them. In the event there is no list for the persons at the company's table use LinkedIn.com to connect with recruiters and professionals from the company. Reach out politely and ask for an informational interview to gain insider information on the company, the position and what the company might be looking for in a candidate. When offering your networking pitch remember to be friendly and authentic in your approach.
Attend Networking Events or Workshops hosted by the organization hosting the career fair - A lot of times the organization responsible for the organizing of the career fair will host events leading up to the career fair, some of these events might feature some of the very same companies that will be in attendance at the career fair. This is a great opportunity to get a head start on leaving a first and memorable impression, network and ask questions.
Network with other attendees - Never discriminate when networking or have the mindset that you only need to network with the recruiters, other attendees might be currently working at the company of your dreams and can give you valuable insight. Another note is that there is always somebody who knows somebody, that know somebody and can give you the hook up. About 77% of jobs are gained through referrals and many of the jobs are not posted. The jobs presented at the career fair might be limited and also hundreds of candidates will be competing for those same jobs. An important tip to remember is about 85% of times a job seeker will not get hired on the spot at a career fair, however if you network, take valuable notes, be memorable and most importantly follow-up you stand a great chance of being considered and in the running for the position you want.
Focus on Networking rather than Interviewing - The misconception of job seekers is that they will immediately find a job at the career fair, while that might happen, often times the recruiters will direct you to their website to apply for the available positions they are marketing at the career fair. The trick is to get a head start, go on the company's website before the career fair and apply for those positions you want. At the career fair focus on getting to know the recruiters, perfect your elevator pitch, articulate your value and stand out from the crowd. BE THE ONE THEY REMEMBER! When you focus on networking and not interviewing that added pressure of getting everything right and trying to answer all the questions goes away and you focus only on connecting in a positive way. In a virtual career fair the time is very limited and you have probably 2 minutes to tell the recruiter about you and why you want to work for there company. Remember to collect the virtual business card or connect on LinkedIn with the person you speak to from each company. I cannot stress this enough, take notes from your conversation so you have that information for your follow up email.
Be Strategic, Intentional and Purposeful - Why be strategic, intentional and purposeful? Because so many job seekers attend career fairs, the companies are limited and the positions offered at the career fair are also limited. All job seekers must have some sort of strategy in the way they approach the fair. Ask yourself these questions: 1.) why am I attending this career fair? 2.) What are the tops 5 companies I am looking to connect with? 3.) Does the positions match with my skill set and what I am looking for? 4.) Who are the players? 5.) How do I stand out from my competitors? 6.) How will I showcase my strengths? 7.) Does my current elevator pitch work or do I need to edit a bit for each company?
Showcase your Unique Identifier - What makes you, you? How will you showcase that whether virtually or in-person and make sure that the recruiter sees exactly what you want them to see? Is your dressing on point? Are you the candidate that takes presentation seriously and dress the part even though the career fair is virtual? Is your tone, approach and attitude outstanding and infectious that the recruiter find it very appealing? Do you demonstrate the 3 powerful C's, are you clear, concise and confident in who you are and what you bring to the table that it causes the recruiter to stop and listen? Really recognizing and realizing who you are and articulating that in such a way that it comes across positive and unique can be the deciding factor or the tipping point that puts you above everyone-else. KNOW YOU!
Listen - Now this is a big one! A part of effective networking is to listen, not hearing but listening. It is important to listen because you gain information that becomes helpful to your task. Let's say you did not have the time to do a thorough research on all the companies and there positions offered at the career fair, a good way to combat that is to listen to what others are saying about those companies and gather valuable intel. Also, when you listen, you ask intelligent questions relating to the conversation and people look at you as someone of value. Those listening skills also comes in handy for taking notes that will make sense later.:)
Don't be Shy - Do not beat yourself up if you are not the talkative type, networking is not about talking a lot, it's about communicating in a way that is much beneficial to both parties. Approach every conversation with confidence and find a topic that you are most comfortable with. Tip: Hang out in the virtual opening room before the fair start and get acquainted with other attendees and the organizers of the fair. Ask questions. This enables you to flex your networking muscles and get comfortable before the main event.
Find a Quiet Spot and Appropriate Background - In the case of virtual career fairs the room you choose for that 2 to 3 hours or however long the career fair is and the background is critical to you being taken seriously and leaving a good lasting first impression. The room must be quiet, no one behind you walking up and down to provide a distraction and avoid a cluttered room. If possible equip yourself with noise canceling headphones to help in achieving that quiet space. Do not use backgrounds that can be distracting, loud, or too colorful. Your background must be neutral and inviting.
Pay attention to Non- Verbal Cues - We all get nervous, and that nervousness can amplify itself in so many ways that can be distracting to a recruiter and the deciding factor between you and another candidate getting hired. The day before the career fair practice your pitch in the mirror and pay attention to your face and your hand gestures. If you are like me your default face might be a serious one, and it might not reflect the energy you want to give so practice, practice, practice. The man or woman looking back at you in the mirror is going to give you a good understanding of what you need to fix. It might be to smile more, minimize the hand gestures, not flicker too much, or even raising those eyebrows. Another tip: record yourself, make a video, this will not only show you your non-verbal cues but it will also show your tone and the clarity in your speech. I recommend doing both if you are someone that get's really nervous.
Make sure your equipment is working - check, double check, triple check. I am not kidding about this. I think sometimes we forget that these devices are not 100% reliable and they can have bad days from time to time. I remember one time I had a very important meeting that I prepared for. I made sure I had all my notes, dressed professionally, found my quiet spot, got my headphones and the one thing I forgot was to check my computer. I assumed everything was fine because I was using it the day before. It so happens that although the computer was fine the camera wasn't, 15 minutes before my meeting my camera was down and I was panicking. What is the moral of this story? Be prepared! Check everything including the camera on your computer, make sure it is clear and the lightning is pleasing. To give yourself enough time, login an hour before your scheduled time and do another check of your devices. I do not recommend using your phone, but if you must try to limit the calls as much as possible or find a way to send them directly to voicemail. The least interruptions, the less distractions to throw you off your game.
Do not be afraid to network. More than 85% of jobs are gained through network and networking effectively. If new to networking, practice, attend networking events, ask for help and remember to always be your authentic self.
For one on one coaching or more information book a consultation with me today: https://calendly.com/wenetworkservices/30minconsult
Comments