Career fairs for employers: how to recruit your next superstar

Your business is growing, which means you're probably looking to fill new positions and expand your team. And you're looking to do it in a unique and effective way. Enter: job fairs for employers.

A Linkedin study found that 60% of job seekers search for new jobs online, leaving 40% of the workforce looking for opportunities elsewhere, mostly at in-person networking events such as job fairs. While career fairs can be a big upfront investment for business owners just starting out, they're a great way to connect with potential candidates and put your business in front of plenty of talent looking to find work. work.

But first, you'll have to learn the ropes. In this article, you'll learn all about job fairs for employers: why you should consider them in your hiring process, how to prepare for a job fair, how to get the most out of a job fair and a checklist you can take with you when you're ready to dive in.

What is a job fair?

A job fair is an in-person event for companies and businesses to advertise open positions to potential candidates. Job seekers attend job fairs to distribute their resumes to recruiting companies, network, and potentially land a new job there.

Typically, your company pays a fee to attend a job fair. You would set up a booth or table for a day or more, depending on the length of the job fair. It's a popular way to find and hire great candidates who might have gotten lost in the pile of online applications, and also gives you the opportunity to meet people face-to-face.

What is job fair recruitment?

Career fair recruiting is the process of having companies or businesses participate in job fairs to identify and attract potential candidates to fill their job vacancies. This involves setting up booths or tables at the job fair for recruiters or hiring managers to engage with job seekers, collect resumes, assess their suitability for available positions, and organize job interviews. follow-up interviews with the best candidates.

Actively participating in job fairs for employers can also help connect you with other local businesses you might partner with, and foster future opportunities for collaboration and talent sharing. Career fair recruiting works for all types of businesses; whether you're a small business looking for hourly hires or a franchisee looking for the next assistant manager. No matter what you're looking for in your future employees, there's probably a job fair for employers that's right for you.

How Career Fairs Work for Employers

As a recruiting company, you should think of career fairs as “recruitment speed dating.” You search for your dream team players in a short period of time, and your candidates also get to know you and what your company has to offer.

At the show, job seekers will approach your booth, so you'll need to be ready to engage them in meaningful conversations, answer their questions, and provide information about your company and available positions. You don't have to hire locally, and we recommend that you don't make snap decisions. Instead, collect resumes and chat with some of your potential hires to get a feel for their experience and whether they'll be a good fit for your team.

Career fairs for employers allow you to showcase your company and attract potential candidates. An attractive booth is key - you'll want a setup with visually appealing displays, brochures and job descriptions. But you don't have to go broke. Go with what you know: if you're a local coffee shop, have fresh, free coffee available to applicants. Skate shop? Have a few stickers to give out to interested applicants. Landscaping company? Pack a few business cards, but maybe leave the grass clippings at home.

When talking to potential recruits, you need to create a memorable first impression by actively listening to their aspirations. VS...