Attending a career fair provides a great opportunity to connect with highly-skilled candidates who are excited to work for your company. It is well worth putting time and effort into presenting your company in the best possible light. After all, these events provide you with a chance to tap into some of your industry’s most sought-after talent.
Try using these ten tips to get the most out of the next career fair that you take part in:
Make a good first impression.
Some of the most important work is done before the job fair even begins. As you fill out your registration information, be sure to proofread carefully. Pay attention to the instructions so that everything is submitted correctly. Take the time to write a concise, yet compelling description of your company to encourage candidates to visit your booth.
Be aware of who you are targeting.
Custom-tailor the information that you present so that it is appropriate for the types of candidates attending the job fair. For instance, if the career fair is being held at a college or university, you should primarily focus on providing information about internship opportunities or entry-level positions. By tailoring your message specifically for the types of candidates you are trying to attract, you stand a better chance of connecting with the right people.
Be ready to answer questions.
The person in charge of your booth should be fully briefed on any pertinent information. This includes the jobs that are currently open as well as important information about your company. They should know what type of candidates you are most interested in hiring and should be able to provide people with information on how the hiring process works. If you want to attract the most qualified candidates, you need to show them why your company is worth working for. That means telling them about any benefits that your company has to offer. These are as varied as cutting-edge equipment, unique research opportunities, or innovative company policies that are designed to make employees’ lives better.
Getting set up.
Arrive well before the job fair begins so that you have time to set up your booth and to get all of your information organized. Be sure to bring along brochures and business cards so that people who visit your booth have something to take with them. Be prepared to meet with people the moment the event begins. Oftentimes, the people who are most motivated to find work show up at the beginning of the event.
Entice people to visit your booth.
Give people a reason to stop by your stand. Make sure the overall design of your booth is eye-catching. Have plenty of flyers available to hand out. Another excellent option is to give something away to people who stop by. Providing visitors with a small, branded memento that they can take with them is a great way to remind them about your company after the event ends.
Be outgoing.
Don’t just hide away in your booth waiting for people to stop by. Instead, make sure that anyone who is manning the table is outgoing and friendly. Consider standing outside your booth so that you are easy to approach. Be sure to wear a name tag and smile when you meet people. In terms of your attire, interview-appropriate clothing is usually a good choice.
Make a great impression on visitors.
Even if someone stops by your booth who is not qualified for any of the positions that you currently have available, you should still talk to them. Answer any questions that they may have. You never know when you may connect with them again in the future. Remember – you are representing your company. It is important to make a great impression on anyone who visits your stand. A lot of people will be looking hard for a job, as this post from Primat shows, so this sort of welcome can go a long way.
Make introductions easier.
It can be hard to start a conversation about your company with a stranger. Before the event begins, think of some ways that you can get the conversation rolling. For instance, asking questions or making small talk are both great ways to connect with someone right away without making them feel like they are being pressured.
Avoid passing the buck.
When people have questions about your company, it may be tempting simply to refer them to your website. Even if the information is available on your website, you should take the time to provide it to them in person. After all, being able to connect with companies in person is the whole point of a career fair.
After the event is over.
Once the career fair winds down, you will be left with contact information for anyone that you may be interested in hiring. Figure out the best way to follow up with each of them. Typically, a short email that lets them know you appreciate their interest is a good way to start. If you hear back from them, continue building the relationship that you began at the job fair.
