With the recent transition from in-person to virtual recruitment, new hiring strategies are in practice. Traditional recruiting techniques involving campus career fairs ad events seem to have been taken over by virtual student orientation experience. Online career fairs and events seem to have become the new norm. The pandemic (Covid-19) has a big role to play in shifting the physical career fairs to completely digital or hybrid mode.
What is a virtual career fair?
Similar to the conventional in-person career fairs, virtual orientation takes place online. This is the only basic difference between online and physical career events and fairs. Online career fairs vary in their complexities depending on the hosting platform, ranging from simple video chats, and video calls to interactive virtual booths.
Several employers looking for competent candidates make use of virtual career fair software. The virtual fair experience of every employer is different. Standing out from the rest of the competition is challenging and it depends on how the employer customizes the experience of every talent that participates.
Engaging one-on-one interaction from home
Instead of spending capital on travel and taking part in physical career fairs and events a few times of the year, attending a virtual orientation enables employers and companies to get from one part of the country to the other in a split of seconds. Virtual career fairs give the fantastic opportunity for recruiting professionals and also engage students from the comfort of their homes.
The use of advanced digital tools
The use of advanced and the latest software and other virtual career fair tools has become easier and simpler for employers to reach targeted and potential candidates that align with the values and criteria ahead of the event. Thanks to virtual career fairs, employers can determine early the suitable candidates and also render a personalized experience from the beginning till the end. The digital career fair software can help meet the right candidates.
Engaging only with ideal candidates
Conducting long hours of virtual orientation won’t be efficient in the virtual fairs. There is a plethora of employers from different subject realms are competing fiercely for the attention of the students and competent candidates. A half-an-hour session is the maximum one can participate efficiently in a virtual career fair session without any break.
To have an edge over other competitors, and maintain the position, the employers have to reach out to preferred and ideal candidates earlier than others. Using virtual career fair software, one can connect with multiple partner universities and filter out from the active students and find qualified and ideal talent matches. The software enables the employers to send personal messages to the students directly and even invite them to their respective virtual career events and fairs.
Empowering every talent
A virtual career fair helps employers to be more creative in attracting more students and candidates. The employers have the time and space to carve out the influencing factors. Furthermore, they tend to be more creative showcasing in the best possible way what the company has to offer, and how new hires can grow along with the company. The employers are expected to have transparency in their conversation and lay out the expectations as early as possible in the virtual orientation session along with touching on the important points. Planning must be done before the event so that the students are empowered with the interaction. This is an excellent way of keeping the audience engaged in the entire virtual orientation session.
Perfecting the employer brand
The employer seeking out its reach to ideal and talented candidates must ensure to perfect its brand. Generation Z candidates evaluate strictly and research both online and offline about the brand credibility of the employers reaching out to them. It is vital to outline clearly the company goals and missions, and also the expectations of employees.
Furthermore, the employers must explicitly mention the vital takeaways the students will get from joining the virtual orientation. These are some of the important preparations that employers must implement before reaching out to candidates. In case an employer plans to attach the virtual session to the personal message window, offering a preview of the expectations is a great idea. This highlights the professionalism of the company and also prioritizes the shortlisted candidate’s interests.
Creating meaningful impression
Employees looking out for opportunities always seek employers or companies who could give them an insight into the culture of the company, promote personal development, and render career guidance. A strong sense of belonging, and connecting with key stakeholders play vital roles in successful new hires. Thanks to the presence of modern virtual career fair software that breaks down the interaction and communication obstacles between senior hiring managers and new employees.
The recruiters must pave the opportunity for the candidates to get familiarized with other team members apart from just the recruiting team. Such interaction helps the job seeks to visualize the company life. The experience from the present employees will provide a clear perspective to the candidates and decide them to join the company or not. The virtual orientations help qualified candidates to have direct conversation and interaction with the people they want to follow. The first-hand, one-on-one conversation is way better than researching about a company, and its values, and goals on the internet.
Conclusion
Even though there is an evolving and transforming reality in the realm of talent recruitment, there is one thing that remains unchanged. Every candidate wants to work for companies or employers that care for them and their career growth. An employer must set an example by showcasing its very best portrayal, thereby giving a personalized, virtual orientation experience to the qualified candidates. There is fierce competition, and hence the employers cannot fall behind and must be prepared with the incorporation of new strategies and techniques. There is a need to adopt virtual fair career software usage so that they can seek the maximum benefit. It is time to change and create an end-to-end solution. This will help to make the shift from in-person to virtual recruitment sourcing easier, efficient, and hassle-free.
