YMCA Employment Programs
8 ways to impress employers at your next virtual job fair
21 July 2020 - by Natalia Gonzalez
Getting your resume noticed and landing job interviews can be tough. That’s what makes job fairs so great: you can often be interviewed right on the spot! The question is, how do you maximize that opportunity and put your best foot forward — especially when you’re at a virtual job fair?
Fear not — these tips from our YMCA Employment Services team will help you prepare for and make the best possible impression at your next virtual job fair:
1. Do your research
Job fairs usually provide details about the employers who will be there and the positions they have available. Do a little research about those employers in advance so you’re prepared to answer common interview questions like:
2. Practice
Part of what makes job interviews stressful is the fear of the unknown. What questions will the interviewer ask? What’s the best way to phrase my reply? The best way to overcome those fears is by practicing. Our YMCA Employment team is currently providing mock interviews remotely. Talking through your answers out loud with us in advance will help you feel well-equipped to deliver them to your interviewer.
3. Prepare your tech
A few days before your interview, check your phone reception or internet service to make sure it’s stable. There’s nothing worse than having your perfect answer cut off by a dropped call or failed wifi connection! Test your audio and video on your devices and have a back-up close at hand in case something goes wrong. Don’t forget to clean your camera to remove smudges that will blur your picture, and make sure it won’t be distractingly moving around. Place your phone in a holder or set your laptop up on a sturdy surface.
4. Find the perfect “meeting” spot
If you’re going to be on camera, be mindful of what employers will see in the background behind you. You want them to be able to focus on you and your great answers to their questions; a busy backdrop or loud noises in the background can easily distract them. Try not to do your interview in your bedroom if possible. Sit in a chair with a clean, well-lit space behind you, and find some privacy! Family members, roommates, and pets should not be in the room or background.
5. Dress for the occasion
Choose an outfit and present yourself for a video interview just like you would for an in-person interview. Wear clean, professional clothing, and make your whole outfit interview-appropriate in case you need to stand up. Even if you’ll be on the phone and your interviewer can’t see you, dress professionally anyway. It will inspire confidence and professionalism, which will come across in your answers and your voice.
6. Maintain positive body language
Body language is just as important in a video interview as it is in person. Make sure you smile, sit up straight, and avoid crossing your arms or leaning on your table. Look directly into the camera to show your interviewer you’re engaged; if you look at the screen, it will make it seem like you’re looking down, not at the interviewer. Smiling naturally or nodding your head when the employer is talking will help demonstrate some of your communication skills. And if you’re on the phone, practice positive body language anyway; even though your interviewer can’t see you, it will put you in an interview mindset and make you feel professional and confident.
7. Learn to make the most of it
Many employers are just starting to experiment with virtual job fairs. Like you, this could be their first experience with it. Keep an open mind, stay positive, and be understanding if any technical or other issues come up on the employer’s end. This is a chance for you to show your flexibility and understanding by adapting to unusual circumstances!
8. Send a thank-you email
Don’t forget to ask the employer for their contact information at the end of the interview so you can follow up with them. Once you’re finished and have signed off from the interview, take a minute to write down the key points you raised and the main reasons you’re the best candidate for the job. Send a thank-you email to the employer within 24 hours after the interview, during business hours, and include a few of those key points to jog their memory.
Most importantly, try to relax! The more virtual hiring events you participate in, the easier they’ll get. Start preparing now by checking out our website for details on our upcoming job fairs.
Fear not — these tips from our YMCA Employment Services team will help you prepare for and make the best possible impression at your next virtual job fair:
1. Do your research
Job fairs usually provide details about the employers who will be there and the positions they have available. Do a little research about those employers in advance so you’re prepared to answer common interview questions like:
- Why do you want to work for this company?
- How will your skills and strengths be an asset to my team?
2. Practice
Part of what makes job interviews stressful is the fear of the unknown. What questions will the interviewer ask? What’s the best way to phrase my reply? The best way to overcome those fears is by practicing. Our YMCA Employment team is currently providing mock interviews remotely. Talking through your answers out loud with us in advance will help you feel well-equipped to deliver them to your interviewer.
3. Prepare your tech
A few days before your interview, check your phone reception or internet service to make sure it’s stable. There’s nothing worse than having your perfect answer cut off by a dropped call or failed wifi connection! Test your audio and video on your devices and have a back-up close at hand in case something goes wrong. Don’t forget to clean your camera to remove smudges that will blur your picture, and make sure it won’t be distractingly moving around. Place your phone in a holder or set your laptop up on a sturdy surface.
4. Find the perfect “meeting” spot
If you’re going to be on camera, be mindful of what employers will see in the background behind you. You want them to be able to focus on you and your great answers to their questions; a busy backdrop or loud noises in the background can easily distract them. Try not to do your interview in your bedroom if possible. Sit in a chair with a clean, well-lit space behind you, and find some privacy! Family members, roommates, and pets should not be in the room or background.
5. Dress for the occasion
Choose an outfit and present yourself for a video interview just like you would for an in-person interview. Wear clean, professional clothing, and make your whole outfit interview-appropriate in case you need to stand up. Even if you’ll be on the phone and your interviewer can’t see you, dress professionally anyway. It will inspire confidence and professionalism, which will come across in your answers and your voice.
6. Maintain positive body language
Body language is just as important in a video interview as it is in person. Make sure you smile, sit up straight, and avoid crossing your arms or leaning on your table. Look directly into the camera to show your interviewer you’re engaged; if you look at the screen, it will make it seem like you’re looking down, not at the interviewer. Smiling naturally or nodding your head when the employer is talking will help demonstrate some of your communication skills. And if you’re on the phone, practice positive body language anyway; even though your interviewer can’t see you, it will put you in an interview mindset and make you feel professional and confident.
7. Learn to make the most of it
Many employers are just starting to experiment with virtual job fairs. Like you, this could be their first experience with it. Keep an open mind, stay positive, and be understanding if any technical or other issues come up on the employer’s end. This is a chance for you to show your flexibility and understanding by adapting to unusual circumstances!
8. Send a thank-you email
Don’t forget to ask the employer for their contact information at the end of the interview so you can follow up with them. Once you’re finished and have signed off from the interview, take a minute to write down the key points you raised and the main reasons you’re the best candidate for the job. Send a thank-you email to the employer within 24 hours after the interview, during business hours, and include a few of those key points to jog their memory.
Most importantly, try to relax! The more virtual hiring events you participate in, the easier they’ll get. Start preparing now by checking out our website for details on our upcoming job fairs.
