The virtual recruitment/career fair is a one-day online event for students, alumni, and other non-students seeking opportunities to connect with employers about current and future career opportunities. These employers represent a range of career fields in the automotive aftermarket industry. The event will take place on June 1, 2017. Attend this event from anywhere on your desktop, laptop, smartphones, or other devices.

The fair is free to attend for students and job seekers.

Yes, when you log into your account and view employers, job postings will be listed. Review job postings and be informed about available positions and how to apply (and then you can formulate your questions for the chat room). Not all employers post positions.

An employer will host a chat room where you and other participants can ask questions and converse. You may enter multiple rooms at a time; exit existing rooms to enter new ones. The organization representatives will be listed once you are in the room. Private chatting is also possible between participants and employers.

After you have done your research on the organization by reviewing their profile, and you notice specific jobs are posted in the Virtual Fair, you can ask about those jobs, requirements, and fit. You can also ask about other opportunities. Questions about an organization's culture and future opportunities are also welcome. Ask questions that will help you assess whether an employer or opportunity would be a good fit for you. Do not ask personal questions, or be too informal in your chatting.

The list of employers will be active after the fair. Click an employer's name on the list and review the "Website and Contact" section of the profile for any contact details that may have been given (not all employers will give direct contact details; however, they do have access to your uploaded documents and may contact you directly). Job listings will remain active for 60 days after the employer entered them.

• Review the organizations' profiles in advance
• Develop a strategy - which companies do you most want to speak with?
• Decide how to allocate your time. Determine what times your target employers will be holding chat rooms
• Prepare questions before joining a chat session, or if you prefer, you can review others' questions in the public chat
• Write your elevator pitch, which you should strictly use in private interactions with employers

• Using unprofessional language: When instant messaging or chatting online with your friends, it is perfectly acceptable to use BTW, OMG, LOL – not so at a virtual career fair. Communicating professionally is expected all the time.
• Impatience: The system is not perfect, and it does take time, so do not leave the fair because it appears that you have waited forever. You cannot see who recruiters and hiring managers are talking to, but they usually have multiple chats going on simultaneously. While waiting for a representative to get back to you, network with other job seekers, or visit other companies that are on your list of companies that you are targeting for employment. The system will notify you when there is a response waiting for you.
• Wasting time: This point is related to the one above. The system takes time, so do not just sit at your computer waiting for a response. Use your time more efficiently by initiating contact with other companies on your list, or networking with fellow attendees.
• Lacking understanding of the process: Most job seekers will think that at a virtual career fair, there will be avatars walking about, but that’s not commonly the case. Think of it as a website with a navigation bar, and chat feature where you can click on the tab that you are interested in.
• Expecting to be hired on the spot: That’s unlikely – it is dependent on how many people are participating. View a virtual career fair as a part of the hiring process. There are times when job seekers secure interviews at the fair, you never know, you could be one of the lucky ones.

• Online - you can view the employers participating by signing into your account for the SEMA Virtual Career Fair.
• Use the list to select the companies that you are interested in working for, then conduct research on them. Research company information, find out about their products, culture, latest news, and events. Check their websites and print out any job descriptions for which you are qualified.
• Prepare questions for the recruiters and hiring managers for which you cannot easily find the answers. Additionally, also prepare questions that demonstrate that you understand the organization’s needs and that you are the best candidate for the position.
• Review our series on “Tough Interview Questions,” and practice answering the seven questions.
• Read our blog post series “Getting the Most from Your Resume – Resume Advice Readers Found Most Helpful.”
• Update your LinkedIn and other social media profiles.
• Update your resume, have both a hard copy for easy reference during the interview, and the electronic version in case you are asked to upload it.
• Dress for success, as if you are in an in-person interview, because it will help you to respond to and questions in a professional manner.
• Get excited!

• During conversations with hiring managers and recruiters, although you are using text messaging, do not use abbreviations or slangs. Be professional.
• Be prepared if an employer initiates an online conversation.
• Take careful notes to keep track of the people with whom you had conversations.
• During chats, keep on topic and answer the interview questions.
• Be patient, recruiters and hiring managers may have multiple conversations going with different candidates, so there may be a delay in their responses to you.
• Thank them and find out the next steps in the process.
• Take the opportunity to network with other job candidates to expand your network of contacts while you are waiting for responses from the recruiters. Exchange leads and industry news and be sure to ask for referrals.
• During the virtual career fair, if there is a company that you’d like to work for that doesn’t have an employment opportunity for you, let the recruiter know about your interest.
• Find out if it is okay for you to follow-up and keep in touch.

• Send thank-you emails and letters by mail.
• Connect with contacts on LinkedIn.
• Keep in touch.

A virtual career fair is another way to find employment opportunities, and by following the tips outlined for success, you will get the most from them.

No, you are not required to join the recruiting event at a certain time or for a set amount of time. Please attend when you are available and stay for as long as you would like.

After registering, you will be added to our email distribution list, and you will begin receiving important information regarding the upcoming event.