4. Our TIPS & TRICKS to benefit from the fair to the max ...
Preparation is everything!
- Work as a team
Miscommunication between the people planning the exhibition and the recruiters actually attending the event, it's a recipe for trouble. Make sure everyone has specific responsibilities and all team members are updated regularly. While attending a virtual job fair, use the tools the virtual world provides one with, create internal groups to communicate easily and keep an eye on the placement your team members have on the fair.
- Have the right persons in place
It is important that recruiters are knowledgeable about their company's open (and/or future) positions, hiring procedures and initiatives.
- Use all opportunities given
Almost every job fair gives exhibitors and recruiters the opportunity to publish their available positions online. Given this opportunity, don't let it pass by. The sooner jobs are submitted, the more candidates will see what you have available, and it will increase the likelihood of the company being included in pre-event advertising.
- Make appointments with candidates prior to the event
Most candidates pre-register to the event and as a recruiter you have full access to any on-line submitted profile. Especially the last weeks prior to the event the numbers of cv's will increase due to publicity, press releases and word of mouth. Keep a close eye on the entering cv's. It is in your own interest to make appointments with those candidates who might qualify for a particular job opening prior to the event. This allows you to work more efficiently during the actual virtual fair.
- Be there!
This may seem like common sense, but one should plan the company's attendance for the entire duration of the job fair. Even more importantly, one will miss candidates who are only able to attend the tail end of the job fair, some of whom may be coming specifically to learn more about the participating company. Always take full advantage of the time available. For a virtual job fair one does not have to travel, however be careful! Make certain to be ready, get your software installed, and know the way on the fair and to your virtual booth.
Virtual or not, the event begins...
OK. Preparation is done, job postings are published, virtual appointments are made, all the pre-fair opportunities are used, a 'Second Life' training is done and the day planned. Now make sure the event itself is successful.
- Be on Time
Common sense ?!
- Be there, never leave your booth unattended
Now it's time for those ultra-prepared candidates to show up and hopefully obtain their dream job. Ooops! No one's at the booth. Regardless of the reason, this should never happen. If one recruiter goes to lunch, the other should stay at the stand. The same goes for any other break. One never knows when qualified candidates will come for a visit. There's no guarantee they'll come back if your booth is unattended, virtual or not.
- Communicate
Many candidates are not familiar with the job fair setting and will be unsure about how to approach a company's representative. This can be particularly true for virtual fairs; candidates who are using the virtual world for the first time are not accustomed to the job fair approach. Be welcoming, not intimidating or indifferent. Be aware that behind an avatar (a virtual person) there's always a real candidate. To make a great impression introduce yourself, shake the candidate's hand and start a conversation. This certainly (except for the hand shake) can be done and is just as important during a virtual fair. In communication a virtual job fair has an advantage. A totally private conversation is possible, so an interview with the candidate becomes a real and productive step in the screening process.
- Greet Candidates by Name
Check name tags so you can greet candidates by name or avatar name. This personal recognition is especially important for virtual job seekers who are used to meeting others in a friendly and open way.
