Job fairs might seem a bit old school these days, but they’re far from irrelevant. In fact, they’re still one of the best ways for businesses and job seekers to connect in a way that feels, well, human. It’s just one of the best ways to benefit future employees, current employees (yes, really), and of course prospective talent. Besides, not everything needs to be just through LinkedIn, right? There’s just something about being able to chat face-to-face that you can’t replicate with an online application or a virtual event.
Actually, for recent grads, job fairs are a chance to step into the working world, ask questions, and see what opportunities are really out there. And for businesses, it’s the perfect opportunity to spot fresh talent and make a great impression on potential hires. But it’s best to be realistic here too, it’s not easy to stand out at one of these events.
With so many stands vying for attention, you need to put in a bit of effort to make sure people stop, stay, and chat with you. There’s actually even an episode of The Office that shows the lack of attention you’ll get if you don’t make an effort to get noticed.
So, how do you make your stand the one everyone’s talking about? Here’s what works.
It’s About Creating a Visually Engaging Stand
Now, at a job fair, you’ve got a lot of competition. These visitors who are looking for a job aren’t the only ones in competition either! If your stand blends in with all the others, chances are people will walk right past without a second glance.
But if your setup looks polished, inviting, and a little bit different, you’re already ahead of the game. So, just think of your stand as your company’s “hello” before you’ve even said a word, it should make people want to come over and see what you’re about.
Use Visual Branding
Now, you probably don’t want to spend a lot of money on visual branding, right? There’s a time and a place for it, such as trade shows, but even so, there still needs to be some sort of investment for job fairs (and other smaller-scale events).
Actually, roller banners are a total lifesaver when it comes to grabbing attention. They’re bold, professional, and impossible to miss. It helps that they’re super affordable too. Plus, with the right design, they’ll give potential candidates an instant idea of who you are and what you stand for.
Think Outside the Box with Displays
But why stop at banners? Ideally, you should get creative with your stand. For example, you can add some eye-catching props, bold colours, or even a digital screen looping a short video about your company. If your brand is about innovation, show it off with tech. If it’s about creativity, let that shine in your design. You have to remember that the overall goal is to just make your stand stand out.
Offer Engaging Activities or Interactive Elements
You know what gets people to stop and stay at a stand? Something fun or interactive. Sure, this is common at trade shows, right? But job fairs can feel a little monotonous, so giving attendees something to do—or experience—can make you stand as the one everyone remembers.
Host Challenges or Demos
People love a bit of hands-on action. Again, trade shows often do this, but it’s something you might want to do for yourself as well. So, just think of industry-related quizzes, quick skill challenges, or even live demos of what your team does. Actually, here’s a great example, a marketing company could run a “create the best campaign slogan” challenge, or a tech company could showcase a fun coding game. If you do a challenge, then you could even offer small prizes, people will line up for that.
Create a Feedback Loop
Want to get people involved? Ask for their opinion. Yes, really, you read that right. Ideally, set up a poll or survey with fun, easy questions related to your industry. Something like, “What’s the most exciting trend in [your field]?” gives attendees a chance to contribute while giving you insight into their interests. A lot of them will usually stick around (or come back) to see results too, which helps.
Be Approachable and Energetic
Even the most impressive stand won’t get people talking if the team behind it looks bored or unapproachable. Again, it goes back to that The Office episode reference from earlier. Job seekers are naturally going to be a little nervous, so it’s up to your team to set the tone. As generic as it is, friendly faces and a good vibe can make all the difference in getting people to stop, chat, and really engage with your company.
Train Your Team to Start Conversations
Not everyone is a natural at striking up conversations, and that’s okay. But at a job fair, your team needs to bring their A-game. So, you might want to encourage them to greet people warmly, ask questions, and really listen to what attendees are saying. It’s not about throwing a sales pitch at them, (honestly, don’t do that at all), it’s about making genuine connections. Honestly, just a simple, “What’s your area of interest?” can open the door to a meaningful chat.
Make Your Space Welcoming
This one should be obvious enough, right? Well, a stand can be more than just a place to hand out flyers. Honestly, yes, it should be! Instead, you should add a seating area, some cushions, or even just a spot where people can pause for a moment. Well, only if you have room (and if it’s allowed).
Now this one sounds weird, but honestly, this is such a great idea, because a little comfort goes a long way in creating a space where attendees feel at ease. It also gives your team a chance to chat in a more relaxed, natural setting.
Provide Unique Takeaways
Now, chances are high you already know this, but yeah, it still deserves some attention; a job fair swag is a classic move. But if you’re still handing out plain pens or stress balls, you’re missing an opportunity to leave a real impression.
A lot of businesses seem to get this part wrong. So, the key is to offer something that feels thoughtful and aligned with your brand, basically, something that people will actually keep (and maybe even show off to their friends).
Think Useful and Creative
For the most part, practical giveaways are always a hit. For example, you’ve got those reusable water bottles, tote bags with quirky designs, or even mini notebooks that can go a long way. But keep these things eco-friendly if you can, it’s a nice extra touch.
Make It Memorable
But another thing to keep in mind is that you need to tie your giveaway to what your company does. For example, when it comes to construction then maybe a sketchpad or a set of branded stickers could help. But the more it reflects who you are, the more it’ll stick in people’s minds.
Leverage Technology to Boost Interest
If you really want to stand out at a job fair, bringing a touch of tech to your stand can make a huge impact. Again, this is something that job fairs do, but what’s the harm of doing this too, right?
Actually, it’s one thing to have an eye-catching design, but adding some interactive or innovative elements will instantly show attendees that your company is forward-thinking and creative. Plus, tech always draws a crowd, basically, it’s just human nature.
Incorporate AR/VR for an Immersive Experience
For those in the construction industry, or even similar, you can definitely take advantage of this more than any other industry could. So, you could give people a glimpse of what it’s like to work at your company with virtual reality or augmented reality. Usually, VR is the easiest (granted it’s the most expensive). So, a VR headset that takes attendees on a virtual tour of your office or experience showcasing your projects in 3D (but some brochures of it can help too).
Showcase Digital Job Portfolios
Now this one might be the most helpful of all, so, you should set up interactive touchscreens or tablets where candidates can browse your current job openings, learn about your team, or even upload their CVs on the spot. Why? Well, this not only makes things easier for attendees but also helps you gather information seamlessly. Plus, it shows that your company embraces innovation, which is a major draw for tech-savvy talent.
Use Social Proof to Build Credibility
People trust people. That’s why social proof can be a powerful tool for attracting talent at a job fair. Just think of it like this; when potential candidates see that real employees are thriving and happy, they’ll be much more inclined to explore opportunities with your company.
Highlight Employee Stories
For starters, you might want to feature testimonials or stories from your team members, either as part of your display or in a short video. Overall, just hearing about why people love working for your company adds a human touch and builds trust.
Showcase Achievements and Awards
Got an industry award or recognition? Well, don’t be shy about displaying it. It’s a subtle but effective way to show job seekers that your company is a leader in its field. Just make sure it doesn’t come across as bragging (it’s a bad look).
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