After the Virtual Job Fair
You’ve conquered the virtual job fair experience. But it’s not over yet. Successfully attending a job fair means taking some after-action steps to ensure you can compete for a specific position.
Naturally, you will have some thoughts about your performance afterward. Write down what you’re thinking to help process the questions running through your mind and benefit from the after-interview waiting game. Here are some examples of joint reflections after a virtual job fair experience
Reflection Questions
How well did I prepare for the virtual setup? Was my tech a success or a mess? Have I researched my potential employers thoroughly? Did I answer their questions briefly, or might there be an opportunity to tighten it up?
What went well, or not so well? What surprised me? Is there anything I would do differently? What did I learn about myself as a candidate? Was I prepared with follow-up questions?
As these thoughts come up, write down your responses. It’s common to think, “Maybe I should have said this differently,” or “Whoops, maybe I should have left that part out.” Hindsight is 20/20.
The good news is, next time you prepare for an interview, you can refer to your notes and make those changes. On the contrary, if you think you aced it and nothing went wrong, pat yourself on the back and move on to the next step… sending personalized thank-you follow-ups.
Read next: Military Networking Guide
The Thank You Note
As menial as it may seem, sending a meaningful thank you note within 24 hours of the interview is a crucial step. It’s a quick, simple task that is more important than you imagine.
Your thank you note does not have to be lengthy, in fact, it should be short and sweet. That does not mean generic.
The expectation is to personalize the email using the names of those who interviewed you or the company’s name if you didn’t catch every name. That is the safer play if you are unsure because you do not want to leave anyone out.
So, you might write, “Dear Company X, It was a pleasure to meet with your team yesterday.” (If it was only one person, use their name.)
I’d like to thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I enjoyed learning more about Company X, and think I am an excellent fit for (enter the name of the position.) Your company’s culture of inclusion inspired me.”
Conclude with, “I hope you consider me for (enter name of position again) and hope to hear from you soon. Sign off with your choice of salutation, “Sincerely,” “Respectfully,” or go more military-esque with “Semper Fi,” or simply, “Best,” and enter your name and title (US Navy veteran, or the like.)
Connect
After you send your thanks, it’s time to connect. Find their LinkedIn and follow them. Hop on the website and join the company mailing list. Check to see what social media platforms they have and engage (like, follow, etc.).
These efforts will showcase your continued interest in the organization and keep you informed on what’s happening with them. After all, the entire interview process timeline can span from a couple of days to a couple weeks or more, so it’s a solid strategy for you to learn more about how they operate across the internet and stay updated while you wait.
Read next: Military Networking Guide
Application
Chances are you will need to fill out a lengthy application immediately after the interview. Yes, you’ve already provided the information on your resume, and yes, you may have filled out a preliminary application or questionnaire through the job fair host site (e.g., Hire Heroes, Recruit Military).
But, 99 percent of the time, the organization will need you to fill out an application through their specific portal. While it may seem tedious and repetitive, it’s a non-negotiable if you are serious about getting the job.
Don’t skimp on the answers. Now is not the time for shortcuts such as “see resume.” Set aside time just as you did for the interview. Ensure all your details align, such as the dates you served or attended school.
Don’t copy and paste as this can cause errors during the upload. Remind them of all the wonderful skills and experience you possess, don’t leave anything blank, and complete this task ASAP. Finish strong. You won’t regret it.
Sustained Engagement and Tracking
Make sure to deliver on any additional promised information. Perhaps they asked for your Form DD-214 or to undergo a background check. By completing these tasks in a timely fashion, you can demonstrate your initiative and continued interest.
Then, preferably in spreadsheet format, create a way to track everything that happened and when it happened. Include the companies you met with and the names and titles of associates. Track the date you interviewed, when you sent the follow-up, and when you heard back.
If more than 2 weeks goes by, send a quick follow-up email and track that, too. This is a great strategy for keeping organized and will help you stand out as a motivated candidate.
Worst Case Scenario
Hopefully, this part won’t apply to you, but there will inevitably be rejections. There can only be one candidate awarded the position. If it’s not you, don’t get too discouraged.
You can use this as a learning experience and practice for future job fairs and interviews. Unfortunately, as much as we want to know why we didn’t get the position, that is not common practice.
The letter you receive will be generic. They will thank you for applying and say something akin to, “While we think you are wonderful, someone else is better qualified.” Now is the time to reflect and dig deep into how you can strengthen your game.
Read next: Military Networking Guide
Beyond the Job Hunt: Long-Term Career Strategy
Here are a few strategies to use going forward in your search for meaningful employment.
Pursuing continuous learning can be effective if there exists a knowledge gap. Identify these gaps and relevant certifications or training. Skill development can’t hurt and is a way to stay updated on trends and in-demand skills.
Develop your industry knowledge and grow your resume accordingly. Speaking of resumes, take advantage of veteran organizations who provide insight and guidance on creating a well-crafted resume. There are resume-building workshops, mock interviews, and military skills translator tools that can help you polish your resume and make sure you are clearly articulating how your military experience applies.
Tap into resources such as Hire Heroes USA or American Corporate Partners. Choose the organization that best relates to your target industry. Leverage your military experience by embracing the veteran identity.
Highlight values like discipline, dedication, working well under pressure, attention to detail, and leadership. Boasting basic tenets of military service will, in turn, serve you well in your long-term career strategy.
Read more:
