Job fairs can help people learn about companies, make some solid connections and hopefully even land a job. In addition to potential employees, these job fairs can also be quite beneficial for companies as well. These fairs are generally held by colleges and their career centers as over 90% report hosting at least one career fair annually. Of course, companies and other organizations can also host and put on these events, as well.
A lot of people put a lot of hard work, money and time into organizing and putting on a job fair. This article is going to take a closer look at everything you need to know about organizing a job fair.
Get the Logistics Ironed Out Early
Getting the logistics taken care of early is of major importance when it comes to organizing a job fair. You need to have details like the dates and the location figured out, preferably months in advance. It should be a space that is not only easily accessible with good parking, but can also host the amount of people you expect to come. When it comes to date, make sure that it isn’t on a holiday or won’t conflict with any other important dates in your area.
In addition to the space and time, you will also need to figure out the items and accessories you will need to pick up. This could include tables, chairs, booths, displays, stands and a variety of other things. Thankfully, there are companies like American Image that can help with a number of the different booths and accessories you might need.
If you wait until the last minute to announce the event, rent the accessories or book the location, you don’t have a lot of wiggle room if things go wrong. One small hiccup could lead to an unsuccessful event, so have everything set up well in advance to have the best results.
Develop the Correct Recruitment Strategy
The successful organization of an event relies heavily on making sure there are an adequate number of attendees, both job seekers and companies. If you are a school, or another organization with a lot of recognition, getting people to come should be simple.
However, the same can’t be said if you are new in the space or simply don’t have the brand recognition. In that case, you will need to put in some work. The strategies will differ when looking for employers or potential employees.
If you are trying to recruit employers, it is a good idea to reach out the decision makers directly. Instead of emailing the company in general, try to contact the HR director and hiring managers. Don’t be afraid to use connections to make the contacts you need.
Also, be sure to have a strong pitch in place and illustrate to employers the value they can get out of attending your fair and why it would benefit them. Also, it is important to successfully vocalize the theme of your fair, so companies know exactly what to expect.
On the other hand, if you are currently trying to recruit job seekers, it is a good idea to advertise the event publicly. Using social media, creating an email list and newsletter, and submitting a press release to the media are all good ideas.
Better yet, consider targeting specific groups with your messaging. This could be graduating seniors, those currently without a job, or those interested in a career change. For example, if the fair is centered around the engineering industry, reaching upperclassmen engineering students should be a priority as they will be most interested in attending.
Help the Event Go Off Without a Hitch
Once the logistics are figured out and the recruitment is done, it is time to put on the event. Your goal as an organizer should be to make the fair as valuable as possible for everyone involved. It should go smoothly, with everyone being able to make the connections they desire.
Also, don’t forget about the details. You want your fair to be memorable and valuable, and details can make that a reality. Make sure to have volunteers around to help, make it easy to navigate throughout the event, and make it crystal clear where each company is stationed. Provide ample space for people to get around, and ensure there are food and beverage options, as well. You could even do things like offer a professional headshot for every attendee or give out free swag bags.
Everyone, from the job seeker to the recruiters, should be happy about the results they are able to achieve through your event and remember it fondly. Helping make the event memorable and run smoothly could also help you if you ever want to run another fair in the future.
In conclusion, we hope the tips and information included in this article have been able to help you organize a successful job fair.
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