The point of attending a job fair as a vendor is to meet lots of great potential employees and get the best ones interested in you! Making sure your company stands out and makes an impression is key if you want to wow top sought candidates and make them want to work for your company. Here are a few great ways you can make a lasting impression:

 Know what you’re looking for

You don’t want to waste anybody’s time at an event like this because there are already so many other booths to see. Knowing and being transparent about what you’re looking for in a future employee will weed out the candidates who aren’t a fit and save everyone time.

Stand out

If booths are not pre assigned, try to grab a good location that everyone will have to see. Make your booth stand out even more by using bright or unique color schemes. On top of making your booth stand out, make your company stand out too. Use signage to point out your best features as an employer. Whoever is working the booth needs to be excited and ready to share why your company is so amazing to work for.

Treat Appointments Like Appointments

Get on the phone with prospective employees before the job fair and set up interviews at the show. Set specific appointments during every spare minute you have at the exhibition. Schedule them in locations that are away from the exhibit floor so they have your full attention for the interview. 

Know your key questions

Track all of the questions that you get asked and summarize the answers for everyone who works at the booth or meeting rooms so they will be prepared to answer any questions that arise. For job fairs this may include hot items like pay, hours and benefits which may not be easy to answer. 

Don't Be Aggressive

Sometimes at a job fair your surrounded by other people who want the same things as you, its hard not to be aggressive and go on the defense. You need to avoid trapping people at your booth, and cutting them off when they're trying to talk. You don’t want to make anybody feel uncomfortable by forcing a conversation, this could make them not want to work for you without even knowing anything about your company.

Follow up quickly

Winding down in the evenings after the fair should include a few follow up emails. Reach out to the contacts you are really interested in and thank them for their time. This would be a good time to let them know you’d like to bring them in for a formal interview and further the conversation.

Job fairs can be so exciting! So many people looking for new jobs and so many employers looking for new talent. As an employer, use these tips to put your best foot forward and land the employees you want and need.