How to Make the Most Out of the Virtual Career Fair

As our country makes its recovery from the pandemic, jobseekers are set to see better days ahead: 2021 is looking promising for the job market, according to labour chief Ng Chee Meng. An employment outlook survey also revealed that 20% of employers are keen on hiring more staff this year--good news if you are on the hunt for meaningful work. As job openings are set to increase this year, now is the time to plan your comeback career.

With the Virtual Career Fair coming up in June, this could not be a better time for you to rise up and bounce back. Here are tips on how to make the most of this Virtual Career Fair, so you can achieve your career goals this year.

JobStreet's Virtual Career Fair: How this can help you in your job search

Much like a physical job fair, the Virtual Career Fair helps you find #JobsThatMatter within the comforts of your home by presenting all available job opportunities to job seekers in one digital space.

The Virtual Career Fair is a one-stop shop for job matching between employers and candidates where you can submit your online applications and engage in virtual interviews. By joining the Virtual Career Fair, you can get exclusive access to thousands of job openings by Singapore's top companies all at your fingertips. As a jobseeker, you can also interact in a one-on-one live chat with hiring managers so you can learn more about the company and determine if they are the right fit for you.

Ready to get started? Here is a step-by-step guide to best prepare for the career fair in advance and make the most out of your job search.

Before the Virtual Career Fair

Figure out what you want in a job.

Before anything else, sort out some key information about your career. Ask yourself questions such as: What industry do you want to enter? What kind of job keeps you going each day? These lay the groundwork for your next career move.

Grab a piece of paper or a notebook and write this information down. You can also list other preferences here: are you looking for a nine-to-five job or would you prefer a flexible, work-from-home arrangement? What salary range are you considering? These factors can help you pare down your choices as you learn more about the job opportunities that await you at the fair.

Update your resume.

While the past year may not do any favours in the ‘work experience' category, the lockdown may have contributed some things that might strengthen your application. Did you learn any worthwhile hobbies or skills during that time? Play these to your strengths in your resume, as upskilling can give you a competitive edge in the market. While you're at it, you can also update your JobStreet profile.

Here's how to make sure your resume stands out from a crowd.

Pre-register for the Virtual Career Fair.

If you think you need to wait until you have sorted out your career plan before registering for the Virtual Career Fair, think again. Pre-registering for the Virtual Career Fair as early as possible means you get to receive exclusive event updates in advance so you can get ahead of the candidate pool. This also includes a list of participating employers, which helps you further prepare in advance and do some prior research.

Pro-tip: Pre-registering also gives you a chance to get selected for a 25-minute one-on-one career coaching session-- another great reason to do it now.

Do some research on prospective employers.

Pre-registering will give you access to a list of companies present during the VCF, so now is the chance to do your research on them. Some things you can look out for are the company culture and values. You can find this information on the company website, as well as genuine assessments by present and former employees ( JobStreet has reviews and ratings for almost every company featured on the site). Through this, you can get a better feeling of whether certain employers would be a good fit for your own personality, principles, and work ethic.

Doing your homework on companies and their job openings means having more time to think and study each of them, instead of scrambling among your options during the day itself.

Shortlist the jobs you want.

Having to scour endless possibilities online can leave you overwhelmed and unsure where to start. Optimise your experience and make the most of your time by shortlisting your own job search beforehand so you can easily narrow down your choices.

Write down your questions.

Your job search at the Virtual Career Fair can result in an interview, so it is best to come prepared. Getting ready for a job interview does not only mean equipping yourself to answer the recruiter's queries, but also asking them relevant questions about the role or the company. The Virtual Career Fair will provide candidates the opportunity to interact live with hiring managers, so you can get to know the company and the role up close.

Asking questions not only helps you determine if the company is the right fit for you. This also leaves a good impression on the hiring manager as someone who is thorough and takes the job seriously.

On the day of the Virtual Career Fair

Make sure your gear is all set.

On the day of the fair, take an hour before logging on to ensure that everything you need for the virtual fair is all set. Check the stability of your internet connection, your camera, as well as your computer to make sure that it is running smoothly. Close any programs you may have running in the background that could interfere with the platform. If possible, choose a spot with ample lighting and minimal clutter in the background.

Remember to dress to impress.

Just because you aren't in a physical space does not mean you shouldn't dress smartly-- after all, you could be interacting face-to-face with a hiring manager. Look polished and professional in attire appropriate to your industry. Pick a top in subdued colours as well as minimal prints. Also, make sure that your hair is neatly groomed and in place, and keep them from shielding your face.

Have your JobStreet login details ready.

Your JobStreet account is crucial to your Virtual Career Fair experience: You will need to key in your JobStreet-registered email address to visit the Virtual Career Fair website, and sign in on your JobStreet account to apply for jobs. Not yet a JobStreet member? Not to worry: you can simply sign up here to get started on your job-seeking journey.

During interactive sessions

Ask away.

With the Virtual Career Fair providing opportunities to interact with hiring managers through live chat, do not miss the chance to ask them any and all questions you may have about the role and the company. Keep your list of written questions you wrote in handy, but don't hesitate to add in follow-up queries that may come up during your conversation. Some helpful information to ask include working arrangements, their workplace culture, and how they define success.

Do not forget to request contact details.

Before ending each session, remember to request the HR manager's contact details. This will come in handy especially if you feel that you did well at an interview, so you can follow up on your application status after the fair.

After the Virtual Career Fair

Send a thank-you email.

While this may seem like a minor detail, sending a thank-you email to the hiring managers right after the job interview counts-- and in a big way. 80% of recruiters say that a thank-you email factors in their hiring decisions when reviewing candidates. Not only does this showcase genuine gratitude for the opportunity, this also proves that you are serious about the role. Step it up from a generic “thank you” text message and put some thought into your email; check out these examples for a memorable note.

Follow up after a week.

If you still have not heard from HR even after sending a thank-you email, then it is a good time to follow up. Send the hiring manager an email a week after the interview, and politely enquire about your application status. You can also offer to provide them additional resources that can help them make their hiring decision easier.

Ready to look for #JobsThatMatter? Join us at the Virtual Career Fair from 14 - 16 June and be prepared to chart a new path for your career.

At JobStreet, we believe in bringing you #JobsThatMatter. As a Career Partner, we are committed to helping all jobseekers find passion and purpose in every career choice. And as the number 1 Talent Partner in Asia, we connect employers with the right candidates who truly make a positive and lasting impact on the organisation.

Discover Jobs That Matter. Visit JobStreet today.

About SEEK Asia

SEEK Asia , a combination of two leading brands JobStreet and JobsDB, is the leading job portal and Asia's preferred destination for candidates and hirers. SEEK Asia's presence span across 7 countries namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam. SEEK Asia is part of the Australian Securities Exchange-listed SEEK Limited Company, the world's largest job portal by market capitalisation. SEEK Asia attracts over 400 million visits a year.

About SEEK Limited

SEEK is a diverse group of companies, comprising a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK has a global presence (including Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, South-East Asia, Brazil and Mexico), with exposure to over 2.9 billion people and approximately 27 per cent of global GDP. SEEK makes a positive contribution to people's lives on a global scale. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, where it is a top 100 company and has been listed in the Top 20 Most Innovative Companies by Forbes.