In this economy, students are more likely tightening belts than racking up frequent flyer miles, and that can make finding a job more difficult. Onsite interviews and distant job fairs may be too taxing on budgets, so choices are limited. Employers aren't thrilled about dropping dough on travel costs, either. Virtual job fairs, however, are filling those gaps and giving job seekers a new (and free!) way to make contacts.

Virtual job fairs have much of the same features as their traditional counterparts. Participants can submit resumes, explore the exhibit hall and attend continuing education sessions--all from the comfort of their computer chairs.

At each exhibitor booth, attendees can "pick up" literature, like brochures, applications and benefits information. The forms are added to a virtual tote bag for download at a later time. And just like traditional job fairs, virtual fairs often include giveaways and prize drawings, which attendees can enter by visiting exhibitor booths.

Most virtual job fairs include a chat room option, where job seekers and employers can meet for individual or small group interviews. It's a chance to get in-depth information about job openings beyond what's listed on the organization's Web site. If attendees get wrapped up with recruiters and miss an educational session, it's no sweat; many virtual fairs give participants access to online sessions for a month or so after the event, so presentations can be viewed or revisited at any time.   

While virtual job fairs are convenient, there are a few caveats. Participants need a reliable Internet connection so they don't get booted off mid-interview. The lack of face-to-face interaction can make some job seekers uncomfortable; others may slip into Twitter mode and lose professionalism when chatting with recruiters.

Have you signed up for an online job fair? Follow these tips to avoid a virtual faux pax:

• Build/update your resume. First impressions make a difference; you won't have face-to-face contact, so use your resume to stand out. List internships and practical experience, plus any awards you've received in the field. And of course, proofread your resume before submitting it.
• Review program guides. Check out all the job fair has to offer before you sign in. Many guides list exhibitor information, such as the positions they're hiring for, which can help target your efforts.
• "Arrive" early. Boot up your computer and test your Internet connection before the job fair begins. Log in to educational sessions before the start time, too--that way, you can sort out problems without missing a beat.
• Be inquisitive. Virtual exhibit halls and educational sessions are designed to be interactive; you might not be physically present, but make sure people know you're out there. Prepare questions for recruiters in advance so you have something to contribute other than your resume. Pay attention during educational sessions and interject a question or observation when prompted.
• Limit distractions. When you attend a job fair from home, phone calls, family and Twitter updates can draw attention from important interviews. Treat it like work and focus on the task at hand; add the fair to your schedule and choose a quiet, secluded location to log in from.
• Use support staff. If you hit any snags during the event, ask for help. IT staff is usually on hand to guide you through everything from downloading exhibitor materials to submitting a question during an educational session.

Cheryl McEvoy is an assistant editor with ADVANCE.