We will be your behind-the-scenes specialist for:

Benefits of  using a third–party career event planner:

Besides our extensive experience in coordinating large-scale career and recruitment events, there are several other compelling reasons to use a an outsourced, third-party model.

• We can save you both time (which is always valuable) and money.

• We have the expertise. You do not have to worry about being distracted from your day-to-day mission or core competencies.

• Career events create a positive image for your company and provide more resources and energy.

• This could provide a potential revenue stream for your organization.

Job Fair / Recruitment Services

We can offer a number of menu-driven services to accommodate your needs and budget.

We are capable of delivering the entire service (from soup to nuts) including: 

• Marketing efforts to get you the necessary exhibitors / applicant pools / students

• Advertising in the various media

• Career Seminars / Lectures

• Career Event Hosting / Logistics (registration, greeting, traffic management, hosting employers / applicants, physical setup)

• Vendor Selection and Management (from pipe-and-drape booths to catering)

• Career Recruitment Program and Advertising

• Evaluation Process

Additionally, we can act as your temporary human resources department and represent you at community and college events. 

Finally, we are available to consult with you about any aspect of career event planning.

A sample of outplacement job fairs I have coordinated:

NUMMI-manufacturing (2,500 attendees)

Alameda Naval Base Closure-federal government (2,000 attendees)

EFA West-federal government (500+ attendees)

Public/Community Events:

Overseen numerous community recruitment around the Bay Area,

with the largest employer participation of 120 exhibitors and the largest crowd of 6,000.

10 TIPS TO A SUCCESSFUL JOB FAIR

Job fairs can be powerful tools for employers to:

• source new candidates for current and future jobs
• create a positive about your company, establish a presence in the community
• network with other employers and community organizations.

In order to benefit from these positive aspects of a job fair, you can maximize your presence by taking a few steps that will make all the difference in your presentation.

1. Talk to the career event coordinator a month before the event to get a better understanding of applicant flow, skill sets, special arrangements, and expertise. This extra step will be a valuable part of the planning process. This will also determine the number as well as the specific personnel to be involved in the event.
2. Use visuals. Most individuals need to see something tangible. Pictures of your employees, the corporate office, pictures of your service or product all positive impressions.
3. List on a poster board your current and future openings. Go beyond the current needs because down the road you might be hiring for other positions. Get the full benefit of the job fair and the audience present. Don't assume the job seekers know about your openings - they probably don't.
4. Use the same list on the poster board to produce a flyer. Separately from a poster board, job candidates can pass along the flyer to their friends and colleagues.
5. Be proactive in your conversation. Rather than waiting for applicants to come up to you, seek them out. As applicants are flowing by you might say: "Can we answer any questions about our company and current openings?" Or "What are you looking for?" These simple questions will break the ice. Additionally, your company will stand out as a warm and inviting place to work.
6. Be helpful. Look at possibilities. If you truly do not have any current openings that match their skill set, encourage them to get to know fellow exhibitors. Better yet, before hand, get acquainted with the other exhibitors. Also, position your booth so that it invites people to come into your booth rather than creating a barrier.
7. Provide giveaways to job seekers. This will attract people to your booth and also get your name out. Giveways that show what you do is always helpful.
8. Communicate how your company and the positions are unique. In reality, your only competition is your own.
9. Demonstrate urgency with your openings. Have a calendar or schedule book to take appointments. Appropriate candidates book on the spot.
10. Offer something different at the event. Just a few ideas:
    • Take an ad in the job fair program
    • Offer to conduct a workshop about your company or industry
    • Provide on-site interviews.

Learn from others. What do other booths do to increase foot traffic? How can we learn from our mistakes? Have a de-briefing meeting immediately after the fair with all the participating managers.

Job fairs have both a short-term and long-term effects: managing them that is the key to success!