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AGCAREERS.COM
AG & FOOD CAREER GUIDE
Regardless of if a career fair is in-person
or virtual, there are a few things that all
job seekers should do to help them find
success. Emily Ballweber, Talent and
Culture Programs Partner at J.R. Simplot
Company, walked us through how to be
successful at a career fair regardless of
the modality.
Ballweber highlighted the importance
of doing your homework. Explore the
employers listed on the career fair
directory, especially those you have
never heard about. Use the internet
to find out more about the company’s
mission, services, products, and
opportunities you are interested in.
When you come into conversations well-
prepared, employers will notice.
Employers want to see that you are
interested in their company and
engaged in conversation, Ballweber
said. Use your research to create
questions that you want to ask each
employer. When you research the
companies beforehand, it is also easier
to guide the conversation toward
your own interests, which will show
employers you are engaged and want to
know more.
Following up after contacting an
employer continues your connection
beyond the career fair. Ballweber
suggests connecting on LinkedIn with
the individual you met, sending them
a thank you through LinkedIn or email,
and forwarding them a digital copy of
your resume. This communicates to the
employer that you are serious about
pursuing opportunities within their
company.
AG
Finding Success
at a Career
Fair
PREPARE
ENGAGE
FOLLOW UP
and the way you are approaching the
conversation is similar to a conversation
with a friend, you are probably missing
the sense of formality needed in a
career fair.”
Hueftle:
“Body language is an
aspect that changes a bit in a virtual
environment but is still important. Some
of the basics still apply – lean in, make
eye contact, smile. Keep in mind there
is more focus on your facial expressions
in a virtual environment since the video
is often only of the head and shoulders.
Regarding tone, virtual environments
don’t require the elevated voice to
speak above the hustle and bustle of an
in-person fair. Regular conversational
tone is perfectly acceptable in a virtual
environment.”
How can one connect with
employers through a chat box when
video calls are not an option?
Baker:
“If it’s just chat alone, I can
almost guarantee that it’s going to a be
a quick and transactional conversation,
so have a message prepared that is
something like, ‘Hey it’s really hard for
me to approach my background and
education through a chat, would you
be open to connecting on the phone?’ I
use this a lot when connecting with job
seekers.”
Hueftle:
“Treat the chat just like a
video call – introduce yourself, explain
what you’re interested in/looking for,
and ask questions! Don’t forget to share
contact information as well for future
follow-up.”
Virtual career fairs are here to stay.
According to Handshake, a virtual
networking platform for university
campuses, 93% of employers plan
to host virtual career events this fall.
They also found that many students
find virtual events to be less anxiety-
inducing, easier to balance, and more
accessible. Now is the time for students
and young professionals to take
advantage of the opportunities at virtual
career fairs to make connections, leave
an impact, and be remembered.
“If you make a good impact,” Baker
said, “people will want to advocate for
you and find you the right connections
and opportunities.”