Dreams do come true. You can interview for a job in your pj’s and bunny slippers. Welcome to the virtual job fair where job seekers and employers meet virtually to discuss new job opportunities -- and here you thought technology wasn’t your friend!
Brent Arslander, VP of Marketing at UnisFair, a national recognized virtual job fair software company, put it well when he said, “Online job fairs are convenient and an easy way for job seekers to compete for global opportunities with anonymity”.
Think of an online job fair like speed dating. You check them out, they check you out and then DING your five minutes are up! You move onto the next table and meet the next Company. At the end of your 20-rapid conversations, 1-interview might lead to an onsite job interview.
HOW IT WORKS
Hosts: Cyber job fairs are typically sponsored by the large boards such as Career Builder, Monster, Hot Jobs, and Dice
Employers: Interview with an international pool of employers motivated to screen talented applicants online including Cisco, Intuit, ADP, IBM, Oracle, and 3M
Attendance: Interested applicants can interview from anywhere, all they need is a PC, Internet connection and electricity or a fully charged battery (hello)
Search: The virtual job fair allows you to locate the just right position using the WHAT search box (job title, keyword, company name) and the WHERE search box (city, state, zip). Nifty
Resume: More than your resume, you can add a picture and upload your complete professional portfolio including video and/or audio
TIP: Avoid accidentally downloading recent Vegas vacation video footage – a total showstopper
Interview Format: Interviews are conducted in the live chat format like on Facebook
HINT: Both the applicant and the interviewer could be sitting in their home office wearing last night clothes snacking on captain crunch while simultaneously interviewing
Expectations: Virtual interviewing allows for a 5-10 minute candidate screening process. The interviewer is deciding if you are a good fit for their open position. They are looking for applicants that meet the basic job requirements (experience, education, skill set, job fit)
Next Steps: If a company likes you they will invite you for a telephone, video or onsite interview
TIP: Dress for the interview (at least from the waist up) just in-case the interviewer asks you for an “on-the-spot” video conference
TIP: Take each interview seriously and avoid doing distracting activities while on a virtual interview including but not limited to eating, drinking (especially alcoholic beverages), texting friends, Facebooking, talking on the phone, etc
Good luck and happy interviewing!
Marilyn Maslin is Chief Job Strategist for Resume Footprint, and Senior HR Consultant for the Maslin Group. She helps companies with their people, and people with their companies. As an expert HR Consultant, Professional Resume Writer, LinkedIn Profile Writer and Interview Coach, Marilyn Maslin has a 360 degree view of the hiring process that produces a synergy where both Marilyn's commercial and individual clients achieve their objectives faster and at a greater value. You can read more of Marilyn Maslin's advice as the Denver Job Search Examiner. Please feel to contact Marilyn Maslin on Twitter or Facebook, with any questions.
By Marilyn Maslin @ Resume Footprint, April 18, 2011
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