CREDIT: SKYLAR MCCARTHY
Entrance to Fanshawe College. Normally, the career fair would be in the college but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be virtual this year.

For the foreseeable future, online events seem like it will be the new normal.

Usually every year, Fanshawe’s career and employment services would have career fairs to help students find employers that will hire Fanshawe students. This year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, two virtual career fairs will be taking place for students.

The first one is a virtual landscaping job fair, which will be held on Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Darlene O’Neill, the executive director of employment and student entrepreneurial services at Fanshawe College, told Interrobang that those landscaping companies are desperate for employees.


“There’s going to be opportunities for co-ops for summer jobs for part-time jobs for graduate employment,” O’Neill said. “It might be a good opportunity to test run the big summer and graduate career fair that’s happening next month.”

The second career fair will be bigger than the first. Employers from many industries like business, healthcare, hospitality and many more will be there to hire Fanshawe students. It will be held on Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What are some of the differences between a normal in-person career fair to a virtual fair? One of the major differences is that they need to have to figure out all the details and logistics. But for students, O’Neill said it might be easier for them.

“You won’t need to print any resumes; you won’t need to change your shoes. If it’s a stormy day, we don’t have to worry about weather anymore. We don’t have to worry about transportation anymore,” she said. “It’s just logging on and joining the career fair.”

You can sign up for both events by going on your Fanshawe Online account, click on the resources, go to “Career/Co-Op/CCR” which will redirect you to a different website where you can register.

you can register. So how can you prepare for a virtual career fair? O’Neill said that preparing for a virtual career fair is like the same for preparing for an in-person career fair. She recommended that students dress professionally, wear moderate jewellery, and don’t wear any ball caps. She also recommended that you have a nice clear background while on the virtual meeting because they’re going to be you know, judging everything they see virtually.

“Use Open body language, smile, speak clearly. Be prepared to ask questions, research the employers before you attend the virtual career fair,” O’Neill said. “Be prepared to be interviewed on the spot you possibly could be interviewed on the spot. So, make sure you have some great responses for interviews and make sure you have some engaging questions to open a conversation with the employer.”

If you need help to prepare for this, no problem. Career Services is also offering free webinars like “How to Prepare for Virtual Career Fair” or “10 Steps to Your Next Job”; free for students. So, if you’re looking for a job, whether it’s a part time job, a summer job, a co-op/internship or a graduate job, come to both virtual career fairs and get the opportunity to meet future employers.