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How To Best Prepare For An Online Career Event In Japan?

How To Best Prepare For An Online Career Event In Japan?

ONLINE CAREER FAIRS in Japan have become an increasingly popular way for job seekers to connect with potential employers, particularly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 


Convenient and flexible, they can offer a good way to meet different employers, get familiar with businesses and their respective culture, and, get a better understanding of their current job opportunities. They also offer them an opportunity to build their professional network and to connect directly with the right stakeholders involved in the hiring process (HR, Recruiters, Hiring Managers and/or Business Leaders).

In today's competitive job market, having a strong professional network and building good relationships is critical. A robust network can provide valuable support and advice as you navigate through the job search process, as well as open doors to new career opportunities more easily. It is therefore essential to invest some time and effort into building and maintaining your network, as it can play a significant role in your long-term career success.

To make the most of online career fairs, it's critical to prepare well in advance. After all, you want to make sure you leave a great first impression on potential employers and stand out from the crowd so that they remember you.

Here is a list of 9 tips to help you prepare for your next online career fair and set yourself apart from the others:

9 Career Tips To Impress During Online Career Events in Japan


9 CAREER TIPS FOR JOB SEEKERS ATTENDING ONLINE CAREER EVENTS IN JAPAN 


1 | TESTING:

Make sure to test your equipment and technology in advance to ensure everything is working properly (Internet speed, Video and Audio connection etc.). Just in case, we recommend you to close all software applications you don't need during the career event to ensure your machine has enough memory and can run smoothly.


2 | DO YOUR RESEARCH:

Remember to study the website and job postings of the companies you wish to meet during the event. Showing you have a general understanding of the company's business goes a long way and will help make a great first impression. It will also show the employer that you have a genuine interest in working with them and it will help you prepare better questions for you to ask them.


3 | PREPARE A SHORT SELF INTRODUCTION (MAX. 60 Seconds):

For your elevator pitch, we suggest you include the following type of information:

  • Your name

  • Your objective for joining the event and what you are trying to get out of it: "I am currently looking a software developer opportunity" or "I came here today because I wanted to know more about your Account Manager opportunity that is advertised online".

  • Your university & university degree (major)

  • Your graduation date & when you can start working (for new graduates only)

  • Sell your language and communication skills (English & Japanese Level)

  • Your background and years of experience (in a specific field). 

  • Describe your personality and share something interesting and unique about yourself (Past achievements, Passion, Values and/or Hobbies etc.) to make it easier for the potential employer to remember you. For each job type, you can use a different approach and sell different skills.

    For example, if you are looking for a sales job, it might be good to share your past sales achievements and mention activities that emphasize on the qualities of a top performing sales person (e.g.: Result Oriented, Organized, Social and Communication Skills, Competitive, Disciplined, Ethical, Solution oriented etc.).

    "... in my previous role, I was voted top sales person for the past two years and I contributed to grow the company's revenue by x%; I am passionate about building solid long term relationship with my customers and providing them cost effective solutions;... Outside of work, I am a dedicated runner and finished numerous long distance races. Participating in such events not only helps me to stay healthy and disciplined, but, it also helps me to build new relationships with business leaders outside of work which often leads to more business opportunities ...".

  • Finish with a positive statement ("I am excited to have the opportunity to meet with you today").

Keep your self introduction short and concise (within 60 seconds is best).

⚠️ The goal of your self introduction is to make a great first impression - It's not to tell everything about yourself. Your self-introduction should be focused on what the potential employer wants to hear (what they may need); it's not necessary at this stage to mention what you need. Instead, it's best to focus on what you can offer the potential employer.


4 | PREPARE SEVERAL GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR POTENTIAL EMPLOYER:

Preparing good questions before attending a job fair can help job seekers demonstrate their interest, gather valuable information, stand out from other candidates, and clarify any doubts or questions they may have about the company or the job. This can increase their chances of making a positive impression on recruiters and being invited for an interview. During your first meeting(s), avoid asking anything related to salary, benefits or things you are interested in. Instead, remember to focus on your employer's needs.

Examples:
- "Your job description states that "...."; could you please elaborate?"
(This question will help you generate more information about the job and it will also show the employer that you DID read the job posting).

- "What are your expectations for this role? If was to get this opportunity, how can I best help the team (management) reach their objectives?"
(This question will help you look like a strong team player and someone who is organized and driven by results).

- "How does your company handles change and innovation? Is it easy for employees to communicate and share new ideas to improve performance? How quickly can change be implemented?"
(By asking this question, you can not only get information on how management handles innovation in the organization but also, you can indirectly sell yourself as someone who embrace innovation and who is not afraid of pivoting your strategy in order to reach your goals. This could be a good question to ask to a start-up).


5 | PREPARE OR UPDATE YOUR RESUME:

It's always best to apply to jobs before the career event or at least keep your resume up to date in case you need to share it to showcase your skills and experience. 


6 | DRESS THE PART:

As much as you can, try to dress like the team you wish to work with. Dressing up like your potential hiring team will help create a stronger emotional connection and help the employer identify you as a good culture fit for the company. For example, if you wish to apply for a sales role, it's probably best to wear a suit and tie. On the other hand, if you wish to apply for a marketing or IT development role, you may want to use a business casual style in order to look more creative. You can adapt your dress code based on the team photos you can find on the potential employer's website.


7 | DISTRACTION FREE ENVIRONMENT:

No all video conference software have great background selection options so, just in case, make sure to have a clean background space ready and a distraction-free environment. In other words, make sure the employer cannot be distracted by a messy or noisy background.


8 | MANNERS & ATTITUDE:

Maintaining good manners is essential for candidates when interacting with potential employers. It is important to be polite and respectful throughout your interactions, including greeting people upon joining their table and thanking the company before leaving. A positive attitude, including a smile and upbeat energy, can help to make a lasting impression. During a career event or when going for an onsite interview, remember to be professional and courteous to everyone, regardless of their rank or position within the company. It is important for you to treat everyone with respect, including lower-level employees, as recruiters often ask for feedback from all levels of staff.

For example, it is common for HR Recruiters to ask a receptionist's impression on a candidate's presentation and manners before they start their interview. Someone who is rude or cold to the receptionist but friendly to the management may raise red flags for recruiters, as this behavior could reveal a lack of ability to manage relationships with all types of people, ultimately revealing the candidate's true nature and character at work.


9 | FOLLOW-UP:

Finally, it is important to consistently follow up with any contacts you make during an event. A brief note of gratitude or a simple greeting can greatly reinforce the positive impression you made during your initial meeting. As many individuals neglect to take this step, demonstrating your appreciation can help distinguish you in a positive manner.


Attending an online career fair can be an excellent way to grow your network, connect with potential employers, and take your career to the next level. But to succeed, you need to approach it with a strategic mindset and a well-prepared plan. By following these tips and investing a bit of time, we hope you will be able to make a stronger first impression on potential employers and take your first steps towards your dream job.

So, don't wait any longer - start preparing for your next online career fair today!


Written by Fabien BROGARD CIPRIANI 
Founder & CEO at Hireplanner.com

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