Due to the continuing pandemic, digital profession festivals proceed to develop in recognition. According to a survey by Yello, practically 80% of recruiters plan to leverage digital methods within the spring of 2021. In addition, 31% reported that they are going to be completely digital of their recruiting practices.
Attending a digital profession truthful might be intimidating, but it surely’s a nice alternative to deal with what actually issues — connecting and assembly with recruiters to talk about your {qualifications} to allow you to land an interview (and hopefully a job).
Wondering if these on-line occasions are price it? Consider this. In May, SHRM shared that Mercy — a not-for-profit well being system in St. Louis — reported greater than 330 folks attended their 15 digital occasions held since February. The outcome: greater than 50 interviews and 30 new hires!
To up your possibilities of standing out to recruiters, you want to do extra than simply join and go browsing. Follow these tips about how to efficiently put together and navigate a digital profession truthful earlier than, throughout, and after the occasion.
Ready? Let’s get began!
Before the digital profession truthful
If you need to have a good expertise at a digital profession truthful, you’re going to have to deal with a little prep work. Here’s what to do:
- Sign up forward of time
To begin, don’t be afraid to join! Since digital profession festivals are a new idea, it might really feel like you might be getting into uncharted waters. But these digital occasions present nice alternatives for you to get your foot within the door and study extra about industries that curiosity you. Plus, signing up forward of time provides you extra time to put together — which leads us to our subsequent level.
- Research taking part employers/organizations
Once you’re signed up, assessment the taking part employers and spotlight which of them you have an interest in assembly with. Then, do a little analysis on every firm and create a listing of questions. Showing that you’re ready and have some data of the corporate already will make you stand out from different candidates!
- Update your resume and follow your elevator pitch
Before you go online to a digital profession truthful, verify that your resume is up to date. This consists of your social media resumes as effectively. Recruiters attending digital profession festivals have the benefit of having the ability to search for your LinkedIn resume through the occasion — so be sure every part is prepared to go beforehand.
Keep your resume helpful through the digital occasion, too. That manner, you’ll be able to shortly ship it off to any potential recruiters who categorical curiosity.
Lastly, follow your elevator pitch. The most typical query a recruiter will ask you is, “Can you tell me a bit about yourself?” Be ready and follow how you’ll introduce your self. Having a clear thought of what you need to say will make you’re feeling extra snug and assured when speaking on-line.
- Don’t be afraid to attain out
If you see a firm that actually catches your consideration earlier than the digital profession truthful, don’t be afraid to attain out prior to the occasion to coordinate a time to meet at their “booth.”
Tip: Don’t talk via the final contact kind or e-mail deal with listed on-line. Be positive to search for and determine the precise contact to join with on the digital profession truthful. This will impress recruiters and show your consideration to element!
Just don’t spam the employer beforehand. You don’t need to stand out for the unsuitable causes earlier than the occasion begins by bombarding their inbox.
The profit: Virtual profession festivals enable you to attain extra employers with out leaving the consolation of your individual residence. You could have to do a little extra prep work, however the entry to a larger community makes it greater than price it.
During the profession truthful
Time to signal on! Here’s how to confidently stand out and showcase your abilities and {qualifications}:
- Dress to impress
Just like at an in-person profession truthful, first impressions depend. Dress correctly and professionally — these items matter even via a laptop display screen.
- Focus on robust communication
Maximize your time throughout a digital profession truthful by communicating clearly with recruiters. If you’ve executed your prep work, it is best to already know precisely the way you need to current your self and what you need to discover out from employers.
Many digital profession festivals will present instruments reminiscent of chatbots to assist individuals higher join with one another. Use them to elevate your digital expertise and to get probably the most out of your interactions with recruiters.
- Maintain eye contact and physique language
According to a CareerBuilder survey, 68% of hiring managers say that failure to make eye contact is among the greatest physique language errors to make throughout an interview. Staring at a laptop to work together with recruiters can appear unnatural, so listed below are some virtual tips to allow you to really feel extra snug:
- Match the recruiter’s eye contact and physique language. You don’t need to seem nervous or inauthentic by staring in an unnatural manner.
- When you’re talking, have a look at the digital camera and never the particular person on the display screen. This small adjustment will assist eye contact really feel extra direct and pure for the recruiters.
- Put your self on the market
To make an impression and make connections, put your self on the market! Don’t maintain again on asking questions. For instance, if an employer actually caught your consideration, ask for the recruiter’s contact information. Take it one step additional and arrange a time to do a follow-up name.
The profit: Attending a digital profession occasion might be much less nerve-wracking than an in-person one. For instance, you received’t be overwhelmed by crowds of individuals to get the eye of a recruiter. Less stress = extra alternatives to impress.
After the occasion
It’s time to transfer on with the remainder of your day now, proper? Not so quick — don’t overlook about these two essential steps:
- Follow up
It’s all the time a good rule of thumb to ship a thank-you note to recruiters who actually bought your consideration and curiosity. In the observe, embody specifics about why you favored assembly them and the way you may benefit their firm. Don’t overlook to connect your resume!
- Reflect
Virtual profession festivals aren’t going away any time quickly. Ask your self what you would do higher or otherwise to stand out extra on the subsequent one you attend.
The profit: Attending a digital profession truthful can present nice perception into jobs and industries it’s possible you’ll be excited about. Hopefully, studying from employers and firms within the trade will get you excited for your future profession!
