What to Expect at a WomenHack Event: A First-Timer’s Guide
You just got your invite to a WomenHack event, and now you’re equal parts excited and nervous. What exactly happens? What should you wear? Will you actually talk to real hiring managers, or will your resume disappear into a black hole?
Take a deep breath. Having attended multiple WomenHack events, I can tell you: they’re unlike anything else in recruiting. This guide covers everything you need to walk in confident, prepared, and ready to land your next role.
What Is WomenHack?
WomenHack is the largest invite-only diversity recruiting platform in the world, hosting events in 120+ cities across the globe. The concept is simple but powerful: connect talented women and underrepresented candidates directly with hiring managers from top companies through a structured, speed-interview format.
Here’s what makes the WomenHack experience stand out right from the start:
- It’s completely free for candidates. No ticket fees, no hidden costs.
- It’s invite-only. You apply, get vetted, and receive an invitation, which means the quality of candidates and conversations is consistently high.
- You meet real decision-makers. These aren’t junior recruiters handing out pens. You’ll sit across from engineering managers, VPs of product, directors of marketing, and other people who actually influence hiring decisions.
- Employers are pre-screened. Every company at a WomenHack event has been vetted and has made a genuine commitment to diversity hiring.
If you’ve been job hunting and feeling exhausted by the traditional process, a WomenHack event can feel like a breath of fresh air. You can browse upcoming events near you to find your first one.
Before the Event: How to Prepare
Register and Confirm Your Spot
First things first: head to the WomenHack events page and find an event in your city or a virtual event that fits your schedule. Complete your application, upload your resume, and keep an eye on your inbox for your invitation. Spots fill up, so don’t sit on it.
Do Your Homework on Attending Companies
A few days before the event, you’ll typically receive a list of the companies that will be there. This is gold. Take 15 to 20 minutes per company to learn:
- What they do and what industry they’re in
- Which roles they’re currently hiring for
- Recent news, product launches, or funding rounds
- Their mission and values, especially around diversity and inclusion
This research pays off enormously. Saying, “I noticed you recently launched your new platform feature, and I’d love to discuss how my backend experience could contribute,” immediately sets you apart from someone who asks, “So, what does your company do?”
Polish Your Resume and Elevator Pitch
Bring several printed copies of your resume. More importantly, practice a 30-second elevator pitch that covers who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for. You’ll deliver this pitch a dozen or more times, so make it natural and conversational, not robotic.
What to Wear
The vibe is smart casual. Think a clean blouse with tailored pants, a blazer over a simple top, or a professional dress. Look polished without feeling stiff. Comfort matters since you’ll be moving between tables all evening.
Mindset Tips
Remind yourself: every hiring manager in that room wants to meet you. They’ve invested time and money to find talented candidates like you. You’re not begging for a job; you’re exploring mutual fit. Walk in with curiosity and confidence.
The WomenHack Event Format: A Chronological Walkthrough
Wondering what the actual WomenHack event looks like from start to finish? Here’s a typical evening broken down step by step.
Check-In and Networking (First 30 Minutes)
You’ll arrive, check in, and receive a name tag along with event materials. The first half hour is open networking. Grab a drink, introduce yourself to fellow attendees, and scope out the room. This is also a great time for informal chats with company representatives before the structured interviews begin.
Pro tip: Don’t underestimate this networking window. Some of the best connections happen during these casual moments.
Speed Interviews Begin
This is the core of the WomenHack experience. Think of it like speed dating for your career. You’ll sit down with a hiring manager for a focused five-minute conversation. That might sound short, but five minutes of direct dialogue with a decision-maker is more valuable than five hours waiting at a traditional career fair booth.
During each conversation, you’ll typically:
- Introduce yourself with your elevator pitch
- Learn about the company and the specific roles they’re hiring for
- Discuss your relevant experience and skills
- Ask one or two smart questions
- Exchange contact information or next steps
Rotating Through Companies
After each five-minute session, a bell or announcement signals that it’s time to rotate. Over the course of the evening, you’ll meet with 10 to 20 or more companies. The structured format guarantees that you get face time with every participating employer. No more hovering awkwardly behind a crowd, hoping for your turn.
Wrap-Up Networking
After the final rotation, there’s a closing networking period. Circle back to the hiring managers you connected with most, exchange LinkedIn details, and solidify those relationships while everything is still fresh.
What Makes WomenHack Different from Traditional Career Fairs
If your only experience with recruiting events involves standing in long lines and never hearing back, a WomenHack review of the format will feel almost unbelievable. Here’s what sets it apart:
- No resume black hole. You hand your resume directly to the person who can move you forward in the process, often a hiring manager or team lead.
- You talk to actual decision-makers. Companies send people with real hiring authority, not junior staff collecting paper.
- The structured rotation ensures fairness. Every candidate meets every company. There’s no jockeying for position or getting lost in the crowd.
- Employers are genuinely committed to diversity. These aren’t companies checking a box. They’ve invested in being at the event because building diverse teams is a priority for them.
- It’s a two-way conversation. You’re evaluating the companies just as much as they’re evaluating you. The format encourages that mutual respect.
Tips to Maximize Your WomenHack Experience
You’ve registered, you’ve prepared, and you’re ready to walk through the door. Here’s how to get the absolute most out of your evening.
1. Tailor Your Pitch to Each Company
Your general elevator pitch is a starting point, but adjust it based on your research. If you’re talking to a fintech startup, emphasize different strengths than you would with an enterprise healthcare company. Even small tweaks show that you’ve done your homework.
2. Bring Business Cards or Have Your LinkedIn QR Code Ready
You’ll want to exchange contact details quickly. Business cards work great, but having your LinkedIn QR code ready on your phone is just as effective. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date before the event.
3. Ask Thoughtful Questions
Hiring managers remember candidates who ask smart questions. Some ideas:
- “What does your team’s day-to-day collaboration look like?”
- “How does the company support professional development and growth?”
- “What’s the tech stack your engineering team is working with?”
- “What’s the most exciting project your team is tackling right now?”
4. Take Notes Between Rotations
After 15 conversations, names and details blur. Between each rotation, jot down quick notes: the hiring manager’s name, what you discussed, and anything to reference in your follow-up. A notes app or small notebook both work well.
5. Follow Up Within 48 Hours
This is where many candidates drop the ball. Send a personalized follow-up to every hiring manager within 48 hours. Reference something specific from your conversation. This simple step can be the difference between moving forward and being forgotten.
6. Be Yourself
Authenticity genuinely matters in a five-minute conversation. You don’t have time to put on an act, and hiring managers can tell when someone is being real versus performing. Let your personality come through.
Virtual vs. In-Person WomenHack Events
WomenHack offers both virtual and in-person events, so you can choose whatever works best for your situation.
In-Person Events
- Stronger personal connections through face-to-face interaction
- Easier to read body language and build rapport quickly
- Networking before and after the structured interviews adds bonus opportunities
- The energy of being in a room full of ambitious, talented professionals is genuinely motivating
Virtual Events
- No geographic limitations: attend events hosted in any city
- No travel time or costs
- Comfortable environment can reduce interview anxiety
- Easy to have notes and company research on screen during conversations
Both formats use the same speed-interview structure and deliver real results. Many candidates attend virtual events for cities outside their own to expand their options. Check the full event calendar to see what’s available.
What Happens After a WomenHack Event
The event itself is just the beginning. Here’s what typically happens next.
Within a few days, companies that are interested will reach out to schedule follow-up interviews: phone screens, technical interviews, or direct conversations with team members. Because you’ve already had a face-to-face conversation with a hiring manager, you skip a significant chunk of the traditional application funnel.
Many candidates report receiving multiple follow-up interview requests from a single WomenHack event, with some receiving offers within weeks. Success stories consistently highlight the efficiency of meeting so many companies in one evening and the quality of those conversations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WomenHack really free for candidates?
Yes, completely free. WomenHack is funded by participating employers, so candidates never pay a dime.
What industries and roles are represented at WomenHack events?
Events span tech, finance, healthcare, consumer goods, and more. Roles range from software engineering and data science to product management, marketing, and design. Each event’s lineup is different, so check the details when you register for an upcoming event.
Do I need to be a woman to attend?
WomenHack events are open to women and underrepresented groups in the workforce. The events are inclusive and welcoming to all who share a commitment to diversity in hiring.
What if I’m not actively job searching? Is it still worth attending?
Absolutely. A WomenHack event is a low-pressure way to learn about companies, practice your interview skills, and expand your network. Some of the best career moves come from opportunities you weren’t actively seeking.
How many events can I attend?
No limit. Many repeat attendees go to multiple events across different cities. Each event features different companies, so every experience is fresh.
Ready to Go? Your Next Step
If this guide has done its job, you’re feeling much more confident about your first WomenHack event. The format is designed to put candidates first: structured, respectful, and focused on real conversations with real decision-makers. Whether you’re actively job hunting or just exploring, a WomenHack event is one of the highest-return investments of a single evening you can make in your career.
Browse upcoming events and reserve your spot at womenhack.com/events today. Your future self will thank you.