MSEN Virtual Career Fairs
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Virtual Career Fairs FAQs
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What is a virtual career fair?
A virtual career fair on the Military Spousal Employment Network (MSEN) offers military spouses of currently serving CAF members and Veterans the chance to connect one-on-one with MSEN employer partners. It's an opportunity to discuss employment needs, showcase skills, and make valuable connections.
Connections can be made via chat, audio, and/or video and happen in increments of 10 minutes. This platform helps you shine bright and advance your career! -
Who is encouraged to join virtual career fairs?
- Spouses or partners of active CAF member (Regular force and Reserves)
- Spouses or partners of fallen CAF member
- Spouses or partners of Veterans
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Why should I participate in a virtual career fair?
The virtual career fair is a great avenue to connect with representatives from the participating organizations and learn about the various roles they are looking to fill, their hiring practices and organization culture. Think of it like a flash interview where you can showcase your experience and skills!
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What are the benefits of attending a virtual career fair?
- Convenience: Participating from the comfort of your home or anywhere you have a secure internet connection provides convenience, eliminating the need for travel and saving both time and money.
- Broader reach: A virtual career fair also allows you to connect with a broader and more diverse pool of employers from across Canada, different sectors and industries, thereby increasing your chances of finding the right opportunity.
- Efficient Networking: Connect with representatives from different sectors and industries, streamlining your job hunt. Maximize your appointment by preparing your “elevator speech” and showcasing your necessary skills for the roles you’re interested in applying.
- Inside Scoop: Having access to the list of participating employers enables you to research the employers ahead of time and make a strong impression.
- Cost Savings: Avoid expenses related to travel, accommodation, and other logistics, making the job search process more affordable.
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Can I join virtual career fairs even if I am not currently seeking employment?
Yes, you can! Our virtual career fairs are designed to be inclusive and informative for everyone, regardless of your current job search status. Each virtual career fair lasts on average 2 hours, giving you ample time to gather information, browse opportunities, and book your 10 minute appointments to discuss them further. You can also chat with representatives to get advice on how to best move forward.
If you are not currently seeking employment, we’d highly recommend attending the employer spotlights, where organizations present their mission, culture, and values. These sessions provide valuable insights and can help you understand different companies better.
Regardless of where you are in your career journey, you are always welcome at our events on the MSEN.
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Are the virtual career fairs available in French?
We strive to offer a fully bilingual experience and actively encourage MSEN employers partners to communicate in both English and French. However, the language of communication ultimately lies with the employer.
Additionally, it is important to recognize that language practices can vary significantly by province and employer. -
Is there any cost to attend the virtual career fair?
There is no cost to participate in any of our virtual events and programs. Just sign in to the MSEN using your login and start exploring!
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What if I misplace or forget my password?
Oh, that’s never fun! You can click on “Forgot Password” option on the login pop up to receive a link in your inbox to reset your password. Be sure to check your spam or junk email as it sometimes lands there!
Alternatively, if all else fails, you can email [email protected] and ask that your password to be reset. It will be important to mention the name associated with your profile so the team can best assist you. -
When is the next Virtual Career Fair?
Our next virtual career fair is just around the corner – be sure to register! To learn more about upcoming events and view a list of participating employers, head over to our events page. We can’t wait to see you there!
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How do I register for a virtual career fair?
You have several options to register for the virtual career fair.
- In the MSEN, you can click on the “Events” tab;
- You can visit CFMWS | Career Development | CFMWS
- If you receive our bi-weekly newsletter, virtual career fairs are always announced there. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to receive all the up-to-date information all of our events and programs
- You can also follow us on Facebook where you can find all the latest information regarding all of our programs.
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What can I do to prepare for a virtual career fair?
Preparing for the virtual career is a great idea! Ensure your profile is up to date, this way employers won't miss out on a star like you!
To update your profile, click on your name on the upper right and click "Edit Profile". Please note this may take a few seconds. Edit the appropriated fields as necessary.
Don’t forget to upload your latest resume and add a profile photo to help ensure you get noticed. Once you’re done with your updates, click the “Save”.
Do your research and learn about the employers participating in the virtual career fair by visiting their booth in the “MSEN Employers” tab. -
Does the MSEN platform offer accessibility options?
Yes, absolutely! We’re committed to making our platform accessible to everyone. To explore the multitude of accessibility features, simply click the accessibility icon at the top of the page. If you have any specific needs or additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] – we’re here to help!
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How many employers participate in the virtual career fair?
The number of employers varies and depends on the organization’s need at the time the event is being hosted.
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Where can I find more information about participating employers?
Click on MSEN Employers tab. The employers participating in the event booth will be highlighted with a green border. You can explore the different tabs within the booths, including the Message Boards. You can also schedule appointments with the reps.
Not seeing the green boarder? Don’t panic, the green borders generally come on a week before a virtual career fair so if you aren’t seeing them, that’s because MSEN employer partners aren’t quite ready to have you book appointments yet. You can always do your research on employers you are interested in and check closer to the virtual career fair date if they are participating! We will do our best to keep you updated on which employers participate after you’ve registered. -
Where can I find the vacant roles that participating employers are currently looking to fill?
You can either go to the employer booth to see their list of vacant jobs or click on the “Search Jobs” tab to access the job board and see all of vacant jobs for all MSEN employer partners.
The job board allows you to use a variety of filters; save jobs and apply to later; set job alerts; and see your past job applications, all in one spot.
If you require more information on the job board, head over to the MSEN FAQs. -
How do I attend a virtual career fair?
After you’ve secured your spot by registering using the Eventbrite link, you’ll have to follow these next steps.
To participate in the virtual career fair, you must first be registered for the Military Spousal Employment Network (MSEN).
The virtual career fair is appointment based only. To connect with an MSEN employer partner representatives during the event, you must book an appointment.
To book an appointment:- Go to the booth of the employer you would like to connect with and click on the “Book an appointment” widget.
- A window will pop up allowing you to select the day you'd like to make your appointment on. Please note the default calendar is set in Eastern Time zone. The local time zones in the “Appointment Widget” is for your view only. All communication for your appointments will always be set to “Eastern Time Zone”. Select your preferred day then click "Select Time Slot."
- Select the rep and time slot that works best for you. Confirm your day and time and then click "Review Booking."
- A new window will appear confirming the details of your booking. If everything looks good, click "Confirm Booking".
- Please note, you can only book one appointment with an employer. If you already have a booking scheduled with that organization, a message will prompt saying “You have already booked an appointment with this employer”. You can change your appointment time by simply cancelling your current appointment in your appointment widget and rebooking the new time.
- You will receive an email confirmation of your confirmed booking. If you'd like, you can also add the booking to your personal calendar. This will ensure you get a reminder that your appointment is about to begin.
- Once you have made your desired appointments, click the "Your Appointment Schedule" widget, to review your bookings. This is the bright green tab on the left of your screen.
- Inside your appointment widget you will see all your booked appointments listed. On the day of the career fair, when it is time for your appointment, click on "Click here to Chat" to initiate the session.
- A chat window will open between you and the rep. Information about the rep will be displayed on the right of the chat box. Reps often include information about the specific roles, language profiles or geographic locations they are recruiting for, so be sure to review. During your live chat you can choose to stick with text messaging, or you can move to an audio or video call by clicking on the phone icon. If you plan on doing a video call, be sure to check the view behind you as the platform does NOT offer the option to blur your background. It is of utmost importance that you hang up after each call to be able to start a new call in your next appointment.
While we encourage all candidates to book their appointments prior to the virtual career fair, you do have the opportunity to do so during the virtual career directly from the ‘Chat widget”. That means real time, instant bookings. Be sure to check your “Appointment widget” to ensure you don’t miss any appointments. -
My audio/video is not going through during my 1:1 call. What could be wrong?
Go to your browser’s settings and check Sound and Camera options there. Make sure to select the correct device on your system. Sometimes, these settings are using default devices that aren’t compatible so it’s a good idea to select the appropriate mic and camera.
Be sure to also refresh your browser, sometimes that does the trick. Lastly, the MSEN also works better on Edge or Chrome, so we suggest you open the network on one of those browsers. Be sure to turn off your VPN if you are connected to one; sometimes it can slow down the system. -
The video/audio quality is poor. How can I improve it?
Ensure you have a stable internet connection, close all unnecessary applications, and reduce the number of devices using the network.
The MSEN also works better on Edge or Chrome so we suggest you open the network on one of those browsers. Be sure to turn off your VPN if you are connected to one; sometimes it can slow down the system. -
How can I connect or follow-up with an employer after the virtual career fair?
Did you know that you can connect with the MSEN employers outside of the employer spotlight? Simply, choose the employer you want to connect with, click the “Contact Us” tab inside their respective booth and connect with them accordingly.
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How frequently do virtual career fairs take place?
We host virtual events throughout the year. They range from dedicated events for individual employers to multi-employer events.
Be sure to keep an eye out on our website, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook to be kept in the loop. -
Is there a way to be kept informed when the next events are taking place?
For our latest offerings, Subscribe to our Newsletter, visit CFMWS | Employment for military spouses | CFMWS, or follow us on Facebook.
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What can I do if I run into technical issues during the virtual career fair?
If you run into any issues, don't worry—we're here to help! Start by refreshing your browser or closing and reopening it, as that often resolves the problem.
Still need assistance? A live agent will be available at the "Candidate Help Desk" during all virtual career fair to assist with any technical issues or questions.
Alternatively, our support team is just an email away! Contact us at [email protected] with a summary of your issue, and we'll work to get you back on track in no time.
We’ve found that the MSEN works best when using Edge or Chrome browsers and remember to turn off your VPN while participating in MSEN events.
Employer Spotlights FAQs
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What is an employer spotlight?
An employer spotlight is a 15-minute presentation where selected employers showcase their organization, discussing their mission, values, culture, and current staffing needs. Candidates can ask questions via the chat box, as the format is a Zoom webinar with participants' cameras and mics off.
This session provides a great opportunity to learn about potential employers and engage with them directly. -
What are the benefits of attending an employer spotlight?
You will learn valuable insights about the unique atmosphere and values that define participating organizations; culture; specific initiatives, events, or values that contribute to a positive and inclusive work environment.
Additionally, organizations are encouraged to share in what ways they are a military-friendly work environment and how they can support the military-connected lifestyle. -
Can I join the employer spotlights even if I am not currently seeking employment?
Yes, of course! You are welcome to join the employer spotlights if you are interested in learning more about various employers or at the gathering stage of your job search.
You never know, you may find your dream job after attending a spotlight.
Mainly, it can be helpful to:- Gather information about an employer’s culture, values, vision, and mission
- Learn about ways employers support the military-connected community’s employment
- Make connections with the right people, for example recruiters and employer representatives!
- Ask questions! This is an excellent way to get your questions answered live.
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Are the employer spotlights available in French?
We strive to offer a fully bilingual experience and actively encourage MSEN employers to communicate in both English and French. However, the language of communication ultimately lies with the employer.
Additionally, it is important to recognize that language practices can vary significantly by province and employer. -
Who is encouraged to join employer spotlights?
- Spouse or partner of an active CAF member (Regular force and Reserves)
- Spouse or partner of a fallen CAF member
- Spouse or partner of a Veteran
-
What if I misplace or forget my password?
Oh, that’s never fun! You can click on “Forgot Password” option on the login pop up to receive a link in your inbox to reset your password. Be sure to check your spam or junk email as it sometimes lands there!
Alternatively, if all else fails, you can email [email protected] and ask that your password to be reset. It will be important to mention the name associated with your profile so the team can best assist you. -
Is there any cost to join the employer spotlights?
There’s no cost to participate in any of our virtual events and programs. Just sign in to the MSEN using your login and start exploring!
-
Why should I attend an employer spotlight?
The employer spotlight is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable knowledge about the MSEN employer organization’s strength, values, culture, what makes their organization a great place to work, and what supports they provide for military spouses. It’s also a great avenue to connect with recruiters and address any questions you have.
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How do I register for an employer spotlight?
You have several options to register for the virtual career fair.
- In the MSEN, you can click on the “Events” tab;
- You can visit our official site: CFMWS
- If you receive our bi-weekly newsletter, employer spotlights are always announced there. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to receive all the up-to-date information all of our events and programs
- You can also follow us on Facebook where you can find all the latest information regarding all our programs.
-
What can I do to prepare for an employer spotlight?
Preparing for employer spotlights is a great idea! Visit the Employer Spotlight tab to see the list of participating employers. Do your research and learn about the employers participating in the virtual career fair by visiting their booth in the “MSEN Employers” tab and come prepared with a list of questions to ask the presenter.
If you plan to speak with employers that also have representatives at the virtual career fair, ensure your profile and resume is up to date, this way employers won't miss out on a star like you!
To update your profile click on your name on the upper right and click "Edit Profile". Please note this may take a few seconds. Edit the appropriated fields as necessary.
Don’t forget to upload your latest resume and add a profile photo to help ensure you get noticed. Once you’re done with your updates, click the “Save."
-
How many employers participate in the employer spotlight?
The number of employers varies and depends on the organization’s need at the time the event is being hosted.
-
Where can I find more information about participating employers?
Employer spotlights happen frequently throughout the year. Employers participate in the event by expressing their interest in being featured in a spotlight. To see the list of participating employer partners and the schedule, click on the “Employer Spotlight” tab.
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How do I attend an employer spotlight?
To attend an employer spotlight, head to the MSEN on the day of the event and click on the “employer spotlights” tab.
The tab will open in a separate window, where you will find the schedule and a short bio about the presenters and organization.
From there you can join the session you are interested in. You will automatically be muted, and your camera will be turned off. Questions or comments can be asked in both official languages in the chat section.
In terms of the yearly schedule, be sure to sign up for our newsletter where you’ll receive all the up-to-date information or check our website frequently.
You can also follow us on Facebook. -
How can I connect or follow-up with an employer after the employer spotlight?
Did you know that you can connect with the MSEN employers outside of the employer spotlight? Simply, choose the employer you want to connect with, click the “Contact Us” tab inside their respective booth and connect with them accordingly.
-
How frequently do employer spotlights take place?
We host virtual events throughout the year. They range from dedicated events for individual employers to multi-employer events.
Be sure to keep an eye out on our website, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook to be kept in the loop. - Is there a way to be kept informed when the next events are taking place?
-
What can I do if I run into technical issues during the employer spotlight?
If you hit a snag, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Start by refreshing your browser or by closing and reopening your browser, as that often does the trick.
If you can, connect with an MFS Admin staff using the chat function on zoom
Still need help? A live agent will be available throughout employer spotlight, in the "Help Desk" to assist you with any technical issues or questions.
Alternatively, our support team is just an email away and ready to assist! Reach out to [email protected] with a summary of your issue and we’ll work to get you back on track in no time.
We’ve found that the MSEN works best in Edge or Chrome browsers and remember to turn off your VPN while participating in MSEN events. -
Does the MSEN platform offer accessibility options?
Yes, absolutely! We’re committed to making our platform accessible to everyone. To explore the multitude of accessibility features, simply click the accessibility icon at the top of the page. If you have any specific needs or additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] – we’re here to help!