UMGC Career Connection Leverage AI Before the Virtual Career Fair

Preparing for the Virtual Career Fair is the perfect opportunity to use artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline your job search, strengthen your resume, understand employer needs, and confidently identify positions that match your experience. Below are simple steps to help you make the most of UMGC tools and GenAI platforms, such as Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, or ChatGPT.

How to Download the Employer Matrix

1. Click the ˅ icon next to the Main View tab to access the dropdown menu.
2. Select Download CSV. 
3. Check your Downloads or Recents folder to access the file.

Discover more about participating employers by visiting Meet the Employers of the 2026 Virtual Career Fair.

3. Use GenAI to Identify Job Opportunities Aligned with Your Experience

Once you've updated your resume and downloaded the employer matrix (CSV or Excel), use GenAI tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, or ChatGPT, to analyze the employer listings and help you identify the roles that best match your skills and background.

Sample AI Prompt for Matching Your Resume to Job Opportunities

Copy, paste, and edit as needed:

I am preparing for the UMGC Virtual Career Fair. I have uploaded my resume and the employer matrix listing all participating organizations and their job openings. Please review both and complete the following:

1. Identify roles that align with my experience and skills.
2. Explain why each role is a good match based on my resume.
3. Recommend resume keywords I should emphasize for these positions.
4. Highlight employers hiring in my preferred fields or locations.
5. Create a list of 5–10 priority positions for me to consider applying for.

Format results in a simple table and provide recommendations for next steps.

4. Use AI to Craft a Strong Elevator Pitch

After determining your top roles, the next step is to prepare an elevator pitch that communicates who you are, what you bring, and why you’re a strong candidate. A well‑crafted elevator pitch helps you make a confident, memorable first impression during the virtual fair.

A strong elevator pitch is:

• 20–30 seconds long in person or 3-5 sentences for a virtual event
• Clear and concise
• Focused on your value
• Tailored to the role or industry

You can use GenAI tools to quickly craft and refine pitches that align with your priority positions.

How to Use AI to Build Your Elevator Pitch

1. Upload your resume and your short list of your top positions.
2. Pick one of the roles you want to target.
3. Ask the AI to generate a tailored elevator pitch that highlights:
   • Your relevant experience
   • Skills connected to the role
   • What you can offer the employer
4. Ask the AI to produce multiple versions. You will want to have one for recruiters and one for informal networking.
5. Practice aloud, so your pitch feels natural and authentic.

Sample AI Prompt for Creating an Elevator Pitch

Copy, paste, and personalize:

I am preparing for the UMGC Virtual Career Fair. Based on my resume and my top positions, please create a 20–30 second elevator pitch tailored to the following position: [insert job title] at [employer name].

The pitch should:

• Introduce who I am and my professional background.
• Highlight the skills and experience from my resume that align with the role.
• Communicate the value I can bring.
• Sound confident, concise, and conversational.

Please provide:

• A professional version for recruiters
• A casual version for networking or breakout rooms.

For guidance on what makes an effective pitch, see Creating a Strong Elevator Pitch.

5. Review AI for Accuracy

While AI can accelerate your preparation, it can also hallucinate and provide you with incorrect and fabricated information. Treat AI output as a draft, not a final answer. Always verify details and keep your voice and judgment front and center.

Smart safeguards to apply:

• Fact‑check everything. Verify job titles, locations, qualifications, application links, and employer details on the official site before applying or reaching out.
• Check for fabricated items. Make sure AI didn’t invent certifications, tools, or achievements. Remove anything that’s not true to your background.
• Validate keywords. Compare AI‑suggested skills and phrasing to the actual job description. Keep what’s accurate and relevant; discard the rest.
• Protect your data. Avoid pasting sensitive information (e.g., full address, SSN, proprietary content) into public AI tools.
• Own your voice. Edit AI‑generated text to sound like your clear, professional, and authentic self.
• Final human pass. Read your resume, elevator pitch, and messages out loud to catch errors and ensure they reflect your strengths.