Virtual careers fairs connect businesses with top talent from all over the globe, helping employers get ahead in the graduate recruitment game
Careers fairs play a fundamental role in the graduate recruitment process. But in their traditional format they can be costly and time consuming for employers to attend, as well as limiting the pool of potential applicants.
That's where virtual careers fairs come in. They still match employers with students and recent graduates, with the key difference that they are hosted on an online platform that can be customised to imitate a physical fair at a fraction of the cost. To participate, jobseekers based anywhere are simply required to register, create a profile and upload their CV.
As they break down barriers for both businesses and jobseekers, these virtual fairs serve as an ideal medium for modern day recruitment and offer employers a number of particular benefits.
1. Save time
After your initial content planning is complete, virtual exhibits can be assembled in approximately one hour, and the adverts in your virtual 'booth' can be replaced in minutes, allowing for a fast turnaround time that traditional fairs cannot compete with.1 Future fairs needn't be a hassle as all the content from the previous campaign can be reused and updated in a couple of clicks.
Additional time-saving benefits include CV search tools, enabling employers to sift through and shortlist applications with ease, making online careers fairs ideal for companies with a short recruitment window.2
2. Eliminate travel costs
With virtual career fairs, geography is no longer a barrier. The whole event is hosted online and can be accessed via a mobile, tablet or desktop device from any location, making it easier for employers to tap into talent from around the world. It's not surprising that virtual fairs have a higher attendance rate as students and graduates can browse through openings, network and submit their CV electronically from the convenience of their home.3
They are also valuable for employers with a social mobility strategy as they remove the burden of travel costs and provide easy access for those living in remote areas, thus widening the potential applicant pool.
3. Make use of extra features
To truly simulate a physical fair, exhibit stands can be personalised in a multitude of ways (style, colour, and appearance) to promote an organisation's branding and make them stand out. Attendees can interact with your company via downloadable content, real-time chat options, webinars and videos to explore opportunities of interest.
It has been found that job listings featuring a video receive 36% more applicants, so with the ability to host webinars, keynotes and live Q&A sessions, virtual fairs could help boost application numbers.4
They remove the burden of travel costs and provide easy access for those living in remote areas, thus widening the potential applicant pool
4. See real-time performance measures
One significant advantage a virtual fair has over a traditional one is the ability to track its effectiveness through analytics. Performance indicators can be supplied such as the number of visits to a booth, video views and webinar attendees, enabling companies to determine return on investment and overall success to inform future recruitment policies.
5. Get involved
Prospects is hosting an online event for students on 26 November. This will bring together graduate recruiters, postgraduate course providers and organisations offering gap year/working abroad opportunities to exhibit at a key time for students who are unsure of their next career steps.
Careers adviser talks will be held throughout the fair and webinars from exhibitors are encouraged to give attendees a greater insight into your opportunities.
For further details or to book a place contact marketing@prospects.ac.uk
Notes
- Pros and Cons of a Virtual Career Fair, Netrecruiter, 2011.
- The Ultimate Guide to a Virtual Career Fair, vFAIRS, 2019.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
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