Welcome to the Virtual Career Fair Checklist! This checklist has everything you need to be fully prepared for our upcoming fairs. For an up-to-date status of our upcoming virtual events, click here for the Fall 2022 Job and Internship Fair.
Tech Set-Up Guide – Virtual Career Fair
Before:
- Turn off ad blockers and allow pop-ups
- Turn off notifications
- Recommended to use Google Chrome
- RVSP for fair
- Check that the link works
- Upload your recent resume beforehand
- Update your profile to reflect your experience
- Prepare to take notes and have a copy of your resume on hand
- Check that your camera is working and have a professional picture on zoom
- Make sure the microphone is working
During:
- Set your status to online once the fair begins
- Click on Join Queue, employers will show up under Upcoming Chats with estimated wait times
- Click on instructions to video chat employers
- Stay on the Career Fair window
- When it is your turn to video chat, there will be an alert with a “ding” sound
- Click on the alert to see instructions on how to video chat with employer
- Watch the video chat timer to see how much time you have remaining
- When time is up, click on “End Chat”
- Take notes on the built in note taking system
- Make sure the angle of your camera show your entire face up to the top shoulder
- Make sure your microphone is on mute when you are not speaking
- Check that your status is “online” by clicking on the options below the chat profile menu
- If you need to leave for a moment, change status to “busy”
Setting Up Your Environment
- Check your background, be aware of what’s in frame
- If uncomfortable with background, consider virtual backdrop and test before the fair
- Try to have as little ambient noise as possible, (ie. turn off fans or TVs)
- Have a strong internet connection, wire in using Ethernet if possible
- Ensure that you are well-lit and not in shadow or washed out
- Place your device on a stable service
- Make sure your device has enough power to run for the fair and that the camera is functional
- If you don’t have a device, you can loan one from the library
How YOU Can Prep for the Career Fair
- Dress professionally, see this link for details (business attire)
- Know your own resume, anticipate being asked about its contents
- Arrive on time to secure earlier spot in the queue
- Research employers before the fair (ie. check job posting details, use Vault)
- Star/bookmark the employers you are most interested in to keep them at the top of your employer list
- You are able to queue 5 lines at a time- take advantage of it
- If waiting on individual chats, use down time to join group chats if available
- Be ready to take notes to help you write thank you notes after
Document and skills prep/where to find help:
- Live during the fair, the Starr Career Development Center (Starr) will have a chat room
- Starr hosts career fair prep, interview, personal pitch, resume, and cover letter writing workshops
- See our counselors to go over your documents (ie. resumes, cover letters, and thank you letters)
- Check out our resume writing guide (link)
- Practice using the mock interview module on Starr Search
Enjoy the fair!