Virtual Career Fair – TOMORROW FEBRUARY 24

**Apologize for the late notice on this. One, employer, Irving Materials, Inc. has specifically requested LIS Students.***

 

Career Fair “How-To” Student Links

SoIC Spring 2021 Virtual Career Fair Student Preview Page

Register for the SoIC Spring Virtual Career Fair – https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/21664#details

List of Employers attending the fair – https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/21664?page=1&per_page=10&sort_direction=desc&sort_column=default#employers

View all available fair sessions – https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/21664#sessions

View your fair session schedule – https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/21664#your-sessions

Student Pre-Fair Checklist:

 

1. Sign up for employer sessions in advance. View available sessions here. You can only attend sessions you register for and registration closes when a session begins or reaches capacity. Set alarms and/or calendar reminders for your sessions. Find a step-by-step video here.
2. Update your profile. Some employers set qualifications to define which students can register for their sessions. To ensure you qualify for the maximum number of sessions, make sure your school year, major, GPA, and work authorization status are up-to-date on your profile. Be sure to upload your resume and make it public.  Update your Handshake profile and set your profile visibility to “Community” or “Employer”.
3. Wear and Where. Think about what you will wear and where you will station yourself during the virtual fair
4. Maximize your time – Research the employers you’re meeting, look at the roles they are hiring for, bring questions, and practice your Elevator Pitch beforehand for best results.
5. Check your Tech. You’ll need an internet connection, speakers and a microphone, and a supported device. See tech requirements here.
6. Best practices:

• Use Google Chrome or Firefox.
• Download the Handshake mobile app ahead of time as a “Plan B” (Apple Store or Google Play).
• Avoid using a tablet, if possible.
• Turn on your camera and microphone before joining sessions (and keep them on).
• Always assume you are on an employer’s screen, even during a group session.
• Share your contact information with company reps in the chat.
• Have your resume handy and ready to share with employers, should they ask.
  • Upload your resume as a Google Doc, make sure the setting is viewable for anyone with a link, and have the link handy to share with employers through chat during your 1:1 sessions.
• The work authorization filters separately – first select “Accepts OPT/CPT” and then unselect and select “Will sponsor or doesn’t require U.S. work visa.”
• It is expected that you will keep your commitments to employers and attend your scheduled sessions.

 

Questions to Ask Recruiters at a Career Fair from a Career Advisor:

• What does a typical career path look like for someone who joins your organization in [X position]?
• What soft skills help someone perform best at this organization/position/on this team?
• I like that the mission of your organization is [X PHILOSOPHY] – how do you feel this position/your team contributes to fulfilling that mission?
• Can you give me an example of a “typical” project I might work on in [X POSITION] or [AS AN INTERN]?
• Based on what I’ve shared about my background with you, can you recommend any additional training or experiences I should seek out to better prepare for [X POSITION] at your company?
• What has been the hardest part for your organization in reacting to the recent pandemic? How did you try to solve those problems?
• What does a successful first month look like for someone in [X POSITION] at this organization?
• What is one of the most interesting projects or opportunities you’ve worked on at this organization?

 

Student Day-of the Fair 

 

On Career Fair day, make time to prepare your technology before your sessions.

• Restart your computer or device and confirm it is plugged into a power source.
• Have both Chrome and Firefox ready in case you need to switch browsers.
• Close unnecessary tabs and applications.
• Confirm that audio, volume control, and video are all working on your device – https://networktest.twilio.com/
• Confirm that you’ve granted permission on your browser or app for both audio and video.
• If possible, have a second device close by and ready just in case you need to switch.

Know where you’re going. All fair sessions will start in Handshake – your session schedule can be viewed on Handshake here. There, you will find your schedule. 5 minutes before your session a button will go live that says, “Join the video.”

• Career fair dress is business casual.
• You will not receive reminders from Handshake about specific scheduled sessions, so it is on you to ensure you show up to sessions on time. Set alarms, reminders, or anything else which will help you remember your sessions!  Not showing up for the sessions you’ve claimed can reflect poorly on you and will result in Career Services following up with you.
• You will be muted upon entering a session.
• At the end of your session, there is a one-minute warning that both you and the recruiter see before the session ends.

During a session. This is your chance to sell yourself to the recruiter! Be professional, maximize your time with the employer, do your company research, and come prepared with questions to learn about the company!

• Keep your video on.  It may be tempting to turn off your video, but this is not professional and does not work in your favor.
• Do not refresh your browser during a session with an employer! You will most likely be removed from the session.
• Ensure that your background is clean and free of distractions. Virtual backgrounds are not supported through Handshake/Twilio.
• Obtain the employer’s contact information before the interview ends so that you can follow up afterwards! Not all recruiters will provide their personal contact information, but instead provide the company’s information. Your time with the recruiter will be the only time you have for this.
• It’s also a good idea to have quick access to links for your portfolio, GitHub, and your resume as a PDF on your Google Drive (make sure the setting is viewable for anyone with a link) to share with employers through chat during your sessions.

Recently Asked Questions about the Virtual Career Fair

 

My browser isn’t working. What do I do next? 

Use Chrome or Firefox. These browsers have been found to have the best results for the Handshake Virtual Fair. Be sure to allow pop-ups from Handshake in your browser settings. Still no luck? Stop by the Student Help Desk.

Why is my video going in and out? 

Check the Handshake Status page first. Then confirm you are using Chrome or Firefox as your browser.  Last, re-test your network connectivity. Still no luck? Stop by the Student Help Desk.

I’m having audio issues – help!

Handshake has reported audio issues with Safari so switch to Chrome or Firefox as your browser.  If needed, disconnect any Bluetooth devices then re-test your network connectivity. Still no luck? Visit the Student Help Desk.

I didn’t register for a session. Can I attend the session? 

You can’t join a session that you didn’t register for and has already started BUT you can STILL sign up for available sessions during the job fair as long as the employer has the time available.

Will I be able to share screen during sessions? 

This is not a current feature because the employer is the host; however, be sure to upload a public resume to your Handshake profile. It’s also a good idea to have your resume as a PDF on your Google Drive (make sure the setting is viewable for anyone with a link) to share the link with employers through chat during your sessions.

Will students, employers and career staff have access to transcripts of the chats they had during the fair?

Transcripts will not be provided for conversations held during the fair. Employers will have access to any visible documents on your handshake profile though.

What will a 1:1 session be like?

These sessions will be 10 minutes with one student and one employer representative. While each recruiter is different, you should be prepared to manage your sessions:

• Research the company and recruiter.
• Have an elevator pitch ready that tells your story.
• Highlight your experiences, especially those most relevant to the company/position.
• Come prepared with questions to ask recruiters.
• Thank the employer for their time and be comfortable ending the conversation.
• If possible, follow up with the employer to thank them for the meeting.

For step-by-step tech walkthrough, check out this student Handshake article: Participating in a Virtual Fair

 

What will a group session be like?

These sessions will be 30 minutes with multiple students and usually multiple employer representatives. Many employers use group sessions as a time to share information about the company, discuss open roles they are hiring for, and as a time to answer student questions. Do your company research ahead of time and bring questions to ask! In Group Sessions with 16 or more total participants, including the host(s), audio and video are automatically disabled to preserve session quality. You can still use chat freely in these sessions.

 

I can no longer attend my session time – what do I do?

You are able to cancel your session and this allows another student to take the time with an employer. You are expected to attend the sessions you schedule so be thoughtful when signing up. If you do not attend a session or cancel in advance, Career Services will follow up with you.

 

What do I do if I need help during the fair?

• Technical issue? During all sessions, you will be able to report an audio, video, chat, or other technical issue and it will generate a high-priority ticket for the Handshake team to review.
• You will also have the ability to report a participant – right click on their name in the participants list, then select Report User. The user will not be alerted that they have been reported.