Before the Virtual Career Fair: Preparation is Key

Research Employers & Opportunities

  1. Review the list of participating employers well in advance. Take notes on company mission statements, recent news, open roles, and qualifications.
  2. Identify your top 5–10 employers and consider how your skills align with what they’re seeking.
  3. Prepare a 30–60 second elevator pitch that summarizes who you are, what you’re studying (or your background), and what you’re seeking in your career.

Polish Your Resume & Online Presence

  1. Ensure your resume is tailored to the roles you’re pursuing. Include keywords from job postings to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS).
  2. Update your LinkedIn or other professional profiles to reflect your current skills, internships, certifications, and accomplishments.
  3. Save your resume with a professional filename (e.g., “FirstLast_Resume_2025”) and keep both Word and PDF versions readily available.

Not sure what your resume should look like? Check out or download this example.

Practice & Test Your Tech

  1. Test your internet speed, camera, and microphone in advance. Wear headphones to reduce background noise.
  2. Choose a professional, quiet, and well-lit space—avoid cluttered or noisy settings.
  3. Dress in business professional attire, even if you’re participating from home. Doing so sets the tone and boosts your confidence.

Contact your Director of Career Services (Ground Campuses) or your Career Services Advisor (Online Campus) HERE if you want help with an elevator pitch, resume support, interview practice, or any other career services.

During the Virtual Career Fair: Be Present and Make Connections

Arrive Early and Stay Organized

  1. Log in 10–15 minutes early to troubleshoot technical issues and review the fair’s layout (including employer booths, session links, etc.).
  2. Keep your resume, a notepad, and your elevator pitch nearby.
  3. Having a list of target employers and questions will keep you on track.

Engage with Confidence

  1. Introduce yourself clearly and confidently with your elevator pitch. Use proper grammar and maintain eye contact (by looking into the camera).
  2. Ask thoughtful questions that reflect your research: “What qualities do you look for in candidates for this role?” or “Can you describe a typical day or team dynamic?”
  3. Show genuine interest and enthusiasm for the company—not just the job opening.

Maximize Your Time

  1. Don’t limit yourself to only the employers you researched—sometimes the best connections come from unexpected conversations.
  2. After each interaction, take brief notes: who you spoke to, what you discussed, and any next steps.

After the Virtual Career Fair: Follow Through to Stand Out

Send Prompt Thank-You Messages

  1. Email a thank-you note to each recruiter you connected within 24–48 hours.
  2. Reference a specific detail from your conversation to jog their memory and reinforce your interest. Example: “Thank you for sharing more about your internship program—it was inspiring to hear about the mentorship opportunities your team offers.”

Apply Strategically and Stay Organized

  1. Follow through on any application instructions provided by the recruiters.
  2. Use a job tracker to log companies, application statuses, recruiter names, and follow-up dates.
  3. Continue engaging with employers on LinkedIn by liking their posts, commenting thoughtfully, or sending a professional connection request.

Reflect and Refine Your Strategy

  1. What went well? Where did you feel uncertain? Use this feedback to improve for future events.
  2. Schedule time with Career Services to practice follow-up emails, interview preparation, or resume revisions.
  3. Consider sharing your experience in class, with peers, or on LinkedIn to build your network and boost your confidence.

Downloadable Resources

Need a Resume Template?

Get a professional, easy-to-use resume template to help you get started quickly on our Resume & CV Templates page. Choose your preferred format—PDF or Word—and customize it to match your experience and career goals. To download, click the template link, select “Download,” then choose PDF or Word Document. Open the file, edit, save, and you’re ready to apply with confidence!

Need a Professional Background?

For Windows users, right click and save as the picture. For Mac users, right-click the image, or hold down control and then click the photo to open a drop-down menu. Save picture to the desktop to make it easy to find.

Need directions on how to install the background?

1. Check System Requirements

Zoom virtual backgrounds work best if your device meets the following:

  • Zoom Version: Desktop client version 5.2.0 or higher
  • Operating System:
    • Windows 7 or later (64-bit)
    • macOS 10.13 or later
    • Most recent versions of iOS and Android (for mobile)
  • Processor:
    • Intel i5 (6th gen or higher) or AMD equivalent for background without a green screen
    • Lower specs may still work, but a green screen may be required

2. Update Zoom

Make sure you’re using the latest version of Zoom:

  • Open the Zoom Desktop App
  • Click your profile picture (top right) > Check for Updates

3. Enable Virtual Background

  1. Sign in to Zoom desktop app
  2. Click the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner to open Settings
  3. Go to the Background & Effects tab
  4. Under Virtual Backgrounds, you’ll see default Zoom options

4. Add Your Own Virtual Background

  1. In Background & Effects, click the “+” icon
  2. Choose Add Image or Add Video
  3. Select a file from your computer

Zoom supports:

  • Images: JPG, PNG
  • Videos: MP4, MOV

5. During a Zoom Meeting

You can also change your background while in a meeting:

  1. Click the up arrow (^) next to the Stop Video button
  2. Choose “Choose Virtual Background”
  3. Select or upload a background

Mobile (iOS/Android)

  1. Start or join a Zoom meeting
  2. Tap More (three dots in bottom right)
  3. Tap Background & Effects
  4. Select or upload a background (images only on mobile)

We highly recommend you use a computer.

Tips for Best Results

  1. Wear clothes that are different in color from your virtual background
  2. Use a solid background (ideally green)
  3. Good lighting helps Zoom separate you from your background

If you need assistance, contact your Director of Career Services (Ground Campuses) or your Career Services Advisor (Online Campus) HERE.