Career Services and the Jules F. Knapp Entrepreneurship Center at Illinois Tech are hosting a Virtual Career Fair on Friday, October 20 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Students will have the opportunity to meet with a diverse group of employers, such as innovative start-up companies, that are looking for fresh and innovative talent. Learn more and see the list of companies. The event is open to all current students and alumni.

Virtual career fairs are a great opportunity for students to participate in meaningful conversations with companies and learn about their culture, job requirements, and more. It’s an unintimidating way to pursue opportunities, learn about companies, network, and perfect an elevator pitch, all through short, easy, text-based chats.

What can students and alumni do to prepare? Here are five tips:

• Do your research.  Browse the Virtual Career Fair online space to become familiar with how it works. Review the participating employers and what types of jobs they have available. Go to company websites, social media pages, and check to see if they’ve published any recent news releases. This will help you be more savvy and energized in the conversation and showcase why you’re a good fit for the job.
• Update your resume and social media accounts. When you register you’ll fill out an online profile including your resume. Make sure it’s clear, concise, and up-to-date. Have a copy handy for you to refer to during interviews. Be sure to scrub your online profiles of any “unprofessional” posts or photos.
• Type some notes. Save some time and prepare your introduction and pre-write some questions in advance. (Ask about the company culture, upcoming changes, special projects, etc.)
• Keep conversations focused and professional. Your goal is connect with all the companies on your list. These are live chat conversations, so be aware of typos and avoid emoticons. Post sticky notes on your desk to remind you of three main selling points about yourself.
• Be prepared for an impromptu video interview If recruiters are impressed with your skill set, they may invite you to do a video conversation. Additionally, it has been proven that if you dress like you are in a live interview, you will feel and present yourself better.  

Have questions? Contact Teesta Jain at tjain8@iit.edu or 312.567.3564.