On-line Job Fair Preparation

With the recent change in job markets across every industry, you may find yourself one of many attending an on-line job fair. It has never been more important to invest the time in your (cyber/virtual/on-screen) professional image and brand. If you are in career transition, here are a few tips to help you stand out at an on-line job fair:

PREPARE

Complete a self-assessment

?      Know yourself because the job search starts with you: Be able to succinctly showcase the value you bring that can alleviate a prospective employer’s pain points. How does your combination of core strengths, knowledge, skills and abilities match with the needs of a future employer? To stand out, you must clearly tie your expertise with the need of a potential employer.

There are many assessments available at all price points. I am partial to the the YouMap assessment because it wraps four assessments (strengths, values, skills, personality) into one intuitive and holistic tool. It also includes a workbook to journal your progress. (link below)

Update your marketing materials

?      Update your LinkedIn profile: Over a half billion people use LinkedIn as a professional marketplace to showcase personal brands. It is likely the first place people will look to explore what you have to offer.

?      Update your resume: Create a results-oriented resume with crisp bullets, showcasing the highlights of previous experiences that you'll talk to in interviews.

?      Customize your resume every time you apply for a job: With over 200 ATS systems (applicant tracking systems), a customized resume might make the difference between your resume being seen or passed over when you apply on-line. 

Explore employers

 ?      Create a tracking spreadsheet: Include target companies, key facts, a link to their website, contact information, etc.

?      Research online: The most impressive candidates not only do their research on the target company, but they try to understand what problems the employer is facing. Make it your business to know who their customers are. Use Google, LinkedIn, the company website, Glassdoor, financial reports, or news reports to do your research.

?      Write at least 3 questions for each company: Do not use things you can answer from the website. Be ready to cut and paste your questions into a chat box instead of having to type the same information repeatedly.

PRACTICE and YOUR ENVIRONMENT

?     ?? Prepare to be on camera: Schedule time with a buddy who can help you test the technology you’ll be using with prospective employers. Watch free tutorials about how various technology platforms work such as Zoom, Slack, Skype, Team, etc.

?     ?? Have adequate lighting: Sit facing a window or utilize a lamp to simulate natural lighting. If you have a window behind you, the viewer might only see your silhouette. Close the blinds if you can’t face the window.

?      ??? Face the camera lens when you are speaking and listening to an interviewer: The lens is taking the place of the person’s eyes. If you center the video feed under the lens, it is easier to appear as if you are maintaining eye contact.

?      ?? Prepare a distraction free zone: It is critical the viewer cannot see any of your clutter or anything that will take the focus off you for the brief time you have their attention.

?      ?? Ensure you have a strong internet connection: prepare a back up such as a phone hot-spot just in case.

ON-LINE CAREER FAIR DAY 

?      Dress for Success.

Dress professionally from head to toe. This means, wear shoes! You’ll feel professional, which will translate to you acting more professional. This will give you a leg up on the competition who continue to wear their PJ bottoms and slippers or what I call the “work-from-home-mullet” (business on the top, party on the bottom). If you don't know what a mullet is, check out my recent LinkedIn post and picture of what this looks like at my house.

?      Take care not to blend into your background:  Wear a color that contrasts with the background. Solid colors are better than patterns on video as they are less distracting on screen.

FOLLOW UP & FINAL THOUGHTS

?      Get contact information so you can follow up with an email.

?      Ask about the best ways to stay in touch.

?      This is a stressful time for everyone, so remember to be kind.

?      Every touchpoint matters: If you have an upcoming interview that really matters to you, consider hiring an experienced career coach who can help you prepare to talk to your unique value proposition.

Good luck! If you take the time to prepare, you can go in with full confidence that you will present yourself well. Tag me when you land your next position! I’d love to hear about your success.

About Gina Riley 

Gina Riley is an executive career coach and leadership search consultant with the Talence Group. Her experience in recruitment, interviewing, and leadership talent development led her to develop a career coaching program to help executives clarify and better articulate their career story. In addition, Gina conducts training on interviewing and selection techniques for the Talence Group client companies and is a certified YouMap? Coach.

? Gina Riley, 2020