Job fairs offer local businesses an opportunity to meet prospective hires up-close and personal, usually in a casual setting more aligned with real-life working conditions. Job fairs also allow workers a chance to survey a large number of companies and compare the types of work, benefits offered and specific job duties without months of interviewing. Setting up an effective job fair begins months before the event.
Instructions
1. Identify businesses and job seekers as potential participants. Quality job fairs include businesses of all sizes that represent various job sectors. The businesses should also be hiring in many segments of the work force. Develop a list of names and contact information for businesses in the area that meet these qualifications. Develop a second list of resources for contacting potential workers: This list should include universities and colleges, high schools, work training sites, community colleges and any union offices in the area. Place the information on a spreadsheet that includes the name, address, telephone number and contact person for each agency.
2. Secure a venue for the job fair. Think in terms of exchanging advertising for a cost-free venue. If this is not possible, price each location for various times and days. If a free venue is not available, determine a set fee that will be charged for businesses in attendance that will cover the cost of the venue. This will also provide a cost figure should one agency wish to sponsor the entire event.
3. Identify sponsors for the fair. Begin making a separate spreadsheet for potential sponsors. Think in terms of economically stable businesses in the area. The sponsors may not be able to provide money, but they may be interested in contributing in-kind goods in exchange for advertising. The fair should offer refreshments, even if just juice and small snacks, and an open place for networking. Each of these necessities is an area of potential advertising. Once the list is done, develop a letter of introduction (sent either by snail mail or email) to solicit sponsors. Be sure to supply a contact name and telephone number for the sponsors to call with questions. If the letter does not bring the required number of responses, begin calling businesses to solicit support.
4. Finalize a date and time for the event. Contact sponsors and agencies that will advertise the job fair to determine the best date and time for the fair. Ask specific questions regarding conflicting events, and avoid these in selecting dates. Graduations, finals, midterms, and federal and state holidays should be avoided. Most businesses prefer a weekday, since the workers will be in place to interview prospective hires. Consult area job-fair schedules to avoid duplication of other events.
5. Develop print materials for the job fair. Once the location, date and time are finalized, lay out print materials. This should include a basic one-sheet flier and a half-sheet handbill. Develop a theme and color scheme for the event. Businesses and fair attendees will be able to identify advertising if these two elements are carried through all the print materials. Wait to print the handouts for the day event until all of the participants and sponsors have been identified. A list of these should be featured on all materials passed out at the fair.
6. Advertise the job fair. Approach all new and old media resources to advertise the fair. Put up a basic website for the event that features the sponsors' logos. Develop a PDF sponsor and attendee form to be returned to RSVP for the event. Open a free Yahoo.com email account in the name of the event to receive the registrations.
7. Set up the fair with time to spare, preferably the night before the event, to make sure that everything is in order. Lay out fliers and handouts, set up tables and chairs, and place any refreshment serving items at the location they will be needed. Do not expect to take time during the event to do administrative duties that can be done before the event.
8. Provide an opportunity for evaluation and feedback for both businesses and job seekers. Develop this form before the event, and offer it as the visitors enter the fair. The questions on the form will set the tone as to what the fair offers and shape the scope for the feedback. Have designated receptacles throughout the fair venue for guests and participants to deposit the feedback forms. Tabulate the forms and provide feedback to the businesses as to what was successful and what might be changed if the fair is offered again.
