Are you prepared for virtual career fairs?
Although unemployment is at an all-time high, numerous companies are hiring. Things are operating a little differently than they have in the past, though. With social distancing guidelines in place, and many company employees still working remotely, organizations are leveraging technology for the hiring process, and there are tons of virtual events known as virtual career fairs and virtual job fairs popping up everywhere.
There is a lot to be grateful for with virtual career fairs and a few things that may not be so exciting for some. The good news is that you won’t have to worry about your commute time, and if you are not wild about dealing with groups of people, this process allows you to stay in the comfort of your own home. Also, preparing for a virtual career fair is similar to preparing for a regular career fair except for the technology part, which is a cause for concern for many job seekers.
Here are a few coaching tips to help you prepare for virtual career fairs:
Software
Download and install any required software as soon as you register for the virtual career fair.
Electronic Devices
Decide what type of device you will use. Desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones are all options, but be sure that you have your device in a stable position so you won’t have to worry about holding it, dropping it, or adjusting it during the event.
Audio
Headphones are an excellent idea to help with blocking out any background noise.
Location
Find an uncluttered and quiet location from which you can attend the event. Blank walls or walls with a single picture (as long as the image is appropriate) make excellent backgrounds. A dark curtain can also be used as a background.
Lighting
Natural lighting/daylight is the best source of lighting. Be sure to have adequate light but not too much light, and light should be in front of you and on the sides of you, but not shining directly on you from behind you. Conduct a few trial runs watching yourself on camera in various rooms and play around with the lighting to help you find the right fit. Notice how much better some views are than others due to the lighting.
Where to Place the Camera
Your camera should be at eye level. Use books or other props if necessary, to raise the camera to the appropriate height.
Framing
Framing is important so that you show up well in the camera. Place two to three fingers on top of your head – that should be the top of the frame. The bottom of the frame should hit you mid-chest.
Practice
Ask a friend, family member, or mentor to join you in a video type connection before the interview. If you are new to virtual meetings, download a free program like Zoom and set up a meeting with someone or ask a friend who has an account to set up a meeting with you so that you have the opportunity to practice connecting virtually.
To find more information on virtual career fairs, check out these links:
https://jobfairsin.com/online-virtual-job-fairs