Mammoth job and career fairs were frequently held at adjacent convention centers before the pandemic, where many job seekers could find employment. These days, job fairs are virtual along with the rest of the internet. They are helpful for people who have just lost their jobs due to the rising unemployment rate or Covid-19 layoffs.

Experts in the human resource landscape predict that, in the near future, virtual applications will account for 80% of all hiring.

There have been hundreds of job fairs recently, and businesses of all sizes have participated.

Connecting with recruiters, hiring managers, and career advisors are simple by participating in a virtual job fair. Attending a virtual job fair can have one-on-one video conferences with recruiters from major cruise lines, concessions, and staffing agencies. More and more people are looking for secure communication methods with prospective employers as remote job interviews and work become the norm. At least, online job fairs will be the norm for the foreseeable future. Virtual career fairs have many advantages, including the reduction in associated costs. However, attending a virtual job fair and finding a job there is a long shot. Employers often use the fairs to collect resumes, which may lead to future phone interviews and sometimes even in-person interviews. If you are facing technical difficulties, most of the virtual fair operators will have tech assistants available to assist you. This piece is an introductory guide for businesses looking to develop an all-inclusive and modish platform.  

What Is a Virtual Job Fair?

Virtual Job Fair

A virtual fair is a digital event on a comprehensive virtual fair platform over the internet. The event is scheduled for a specific date and time, allowing attendees from various locations to meet virtually and exchange information. A comprehensive virtual fair platform with the most exciting features will enable organizations to brand virtual booths according to their brand image, delivering real-life immersive experiences.

A Further Caution: virtual job fairs’ navigation and content are not always clear or consistent. Some are swanky events that provide Zoom interviews on the spot and have vibrant debates. Others are mere repositories of information that is merely sufficient regarding employers and recommendations to online job boards. The casual, face-to-face chats with recruiters and other job seekers you may have at in-person job fairs won’t be available to you at virtual job fairs, which is a bit of a bummer. Hiring managers will no longer need to rely on analyzing candidates’ resumes; instead, they will be able to meet with prospects in person, conduct interviews with them, and make offers on the spot. Recruiters and companies can contact possible employees from all over the world and from a range of fields thanks to virtual hiring, which eliminates the inconvenience, time, and money of attending a typical job fair.

Different Types of Virtual Career Fairs?

1. Virtual Fairs of Organizations 

a) Virtual Career Fair  

Virtual Career Fair
First Things First- Single or Multi-Employer Event? 

As a single employer, the hosts put on their online event booths for their different departments, divisions, locations, job roles, etc., which are all unique to their organizations. On the other hand, multi-employer virtual events make it easier for other organizations to participate.

For example, a university virtual career fair brings together several organizations looking to hire qualified students. Each exhibiting employer is given a branded booth that is unique to them, giving each recruiting company a strong competitive edge by giving them a unique identity. Once you’ve decided which approach is best for you, it’s time to start looking into the different types of virtual career fairs with a track record of getting people hired.

The ideal solution for organizations interested in the longevity of virtual career fairs is to offer perennial events. So what exactly is a “perpetual” virtual career fair?

Job fairs are an efficient approach to bringing together top industry experts and the most qualified job seekers under one roof for smooth networking and connection. On the other hand, virtual job fairs allow them to meet virtually and discuss open openings, credentials, and the best-suited position. Utilizing the appropriate virtual event technology simplifies the process, allowing job searchers and recruiters to connect seamlessly. It will enable employers to tailor their booth to reflect their brand image and attract the best-qualified individuals worldwide. With virtual job fairs, getting top talent is as simple as conducting Q&A sessions and live audio/video interviews in a virtual environment. In addition, you can incorporate some entertaining activities, such as quizzes or contests, to keep guests engaged.

b) Hybrid Career Fair 

Hybrid Career Fair 

Sometimes, combining in-person and online components is the best way to attract qualified candidates to a career fair. The event is a hybrid between a virtual and in-person job fair and features the best of both worlds. For instance, the host can provide physical booths for businesses and local job searchers to meet face-to-face and virtual booths for prospects in other locations to browse job openings and apply for positions online.

Hybrid events are great for reaching active and passive job seekers, raising the bar on recruiting quality, facilitating data-driven lead tracking, and increasing event attendance and productivity by 20% and 27%, respectively.

This method is beneficial for hosts of virtual events who want to keep tabs on Attendance, participation, and interaction through means such as post-event surveys and conversations. The online presence of an event can be prolonged for weeks after the actual one has concluded, thanks to webinars and information that can be accessed at any time. This allows companies to review resumes even after the physical career fair ends.

2. Virtual Education Fairs

As their names suggest, virtual fairs are organized by prestigious educational institutions to communicate with students residing in various geographic places. Universities can connect with prospective students worldwide due to the assistance provided by these fairs. In addition, it enables institutions to present a wider variety of students with examples of their resources, infrastructure, and culture. 

How Does a Virtual Job Fair Platform Work?

Employers frequently purchase customized digital booths to showcase their corporate information, job openings, marketing materials, and other pertinent information. During virtual job fair events, job seekers visit these booths to learn more about prospective companies. Upon attending an online career fair, participants typically register, submit their resumes, and complete questions depending on their professional experience and interests. Then, based on their responses, they are paired with appropriate organizations, allowing them to explore new opportunities quickly and effortlessly.

Benefits of Virtual Job Fair Platform or App

1. It’s Efficient – In Every Way (Cost-Effective, Global Talent Pool )

Virtual Career Fairs offer the same services as traditional job fairs but from any location and device. Recruiters and candidates can easily connect without incurring travel costs, time, and other expenses accumulated over time. Your team can help candidates jumpstart the job application, screening, scheduling, and even interviewing process with the right recruiting software, saving you a lot of time. It’s that simple!

2. It Gives Your Firm a Competitive Advantage (Powerful Branding and Brand Recognition) 

While Virtual Career Fairs may be advantageous, not all organizations utilize them to their benefit. By implementing these digital career fairs, your organization will be ahead of the competition. Job seekers will always value a more flexible and convenient method of locating and applying for job openings, so your innovative approach to career fairs will undoubtedly wow them.

3. It’s the Only Way During Unprecedented Times- Remote Access 

COVID-19 presented several obstacles for the recruiting sector. Social distance restrictions prevented recruiters and candidates from meeting face-to-face, so they turned to Virtual Career Fairs to save their businesses. During the pandemic, Virtual Career Fairs provided millions of teams with the necessary hiring resources. The technology driving these digital career fairs enabled businesses of all kinds to hire and fill positions quickly and securely. Despite the fact that Virtual Career Fairs are a vital recruitment tool even in the absence of a health crisis, it is essential to remember that they are the only option during difficult times. Having Virtual Career Fairs as part of your contingency plan can be highly beneficial amid unforeseen crises.

Best Practices of Virtual Job Fair Platform

  • Virtual Data Centers 
  • Customized Kiosks
  • Digital Handouts
  • Chatbots & Technical Support
  • Live Job Portals
  • Online Reminders
  • Be Interactive
  • Keep the Fairs Going
  • Performance Metrics
  • Follow-up 

Must-Have Features of Virtual Job Fair Platform

1. Design a Modish Virtual Environment  

With a beautiful custom 3D lobby, your business building will come to life virtually. Different avatars that look like department reps can be used to greet prospects. Set up booths for each of your departments that are unique. Hold a job fair that is easy to get around and has spaces that look like real life. You can put welcome videos, videos about fair navigation, and other videos in the video vault.

2. Advertise Open Roles with The Live Job Board

With a live job board, you can show all of your job openings and make it easier for people to apply.

3. Search and Filter Resumes

Use customized registration forms to get the most important information for your organization. Then, you can use the built-in resume search to find the best candidates.

4. Schedule Audio & Video Interviews with Candidates

On the vFairs platform, you can meet with candidates and conduct interviews there. With the custom scheduling tool, candidates can book time with reps, and hosts can set up interviews.

5. Conduct Interactive Webinars

Use webinars and question and answer sessions to meet candidates. Pre-recorded and on-demand webinars make sure that your audience doesn’t miss any important sessions.

6. Host Interactive Booths

Make booths for each department that are unique. Streamline your branding with custom graphics, job listings, links to social media pages and websites, and self-selected virtual avatars.

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Advance Features of Virtual job fair platform 

1. Landing Page to Maximize Attendance

A landing page should also include a career page with information about the event and the type of candidates you seek. This landing page should contain an overview, schedule, agenda, exhibitor data, guidance, and other pertinent information.

2. An Interactive Visual Experience Within the Virtual Career Fair Software

A visual experience that is interactive within the virtual career fair software

Whether it’s an online trade expo, a virtual job fair, or a virtual conference, creating an amazing 3D area may help create an interactive atmosphere for your audience. It helps recreate the experience of attending live events, minus the crowds, noise pollution, and pricey plane tickets.

3. Customizable Exhibitor Booths

The software for a virtual career fair should permit exhibitors to experiment with custom-designed booths and personalize them extensively. Additionally, booths should facilitate visitors’ access to information.

4. Real-Time Job Board

Using these employment boards, you can search through resumes if you have certain recruiting requirements. If you’re seeking people with specific skills, you may utilize clever search criteria to find them in less time. Additionally, job boards enable visitors to seek positions in the companies of their choosing. It also facilitates the application process and resume submission.

5. Immersive Content 

 Immersive content is necessary to engage and pique the interest of event attendees. Possibilities are infinite. You can create a video archive. Permit employers to post compelling films that visitors can stream.

Best Virtual Job Fair Platforms 

1. In HexaFair

In HexaFair

When you host your virtual career fair on HexaFair, the top platform in the industry, we’ll handle things like security and scalability so you can focus on expanding your business. In today’s digital age, job seekers can research available positions, submit applications, and even conduct video interviews, all from the comfort of their own homes. We provide individualized dashboards, job boards, resume downloading, and action reports. The advantages of holding a virtual job fair are numerous, and HexaFair takes care of everything from the planning stages to the follow-up process to the management of operations and the promotion of the fair in digital formats. Custom integrations are created to be a seamless part of your process.

2. Talentspace

Talentspace

Talentspace is a platform used by corporations like Amazon to engage their talent pool and track the effectiveness of their recruitment efforts. Its modern aesthetic and useful features—including private messaging, interactive booths, and more—make for a fun and stress-free time spent recruiting.

3. Zoom

Zoom

This year, Zoom has experienced a massive increase in its user base as it has become one of the most popular ways to maintain relationships with distant loved ones. Despite the fact that Zoom wasn’t created with online job fairs in mind, many recruiters use it as their primary method of contact with potential employees. HR departments widely use zoom for scheduling interviews, both one-on-one and in groups, and more and more businesses are experimenting with holding job fairs online using the platform. Zoom does not yet have any built-in capabilities to facilitate running a virtual job fair.

4. vFairs

vFairs

Virtual job fairs can be held in a fully immersive 3D setting with the help of vFairs. Employer branding, candidate communication, and engagement can all be improved with the help of this platform’s gamification elements. Although customer reviews are limited, the ones that exist are overwhelmingly positive. 

5. Brazen Virtual Career Fair Platform

Brazen Virtual Career Fair Platform

Brazen has experience with online job fairs. Founded in 2007, Brazen is a leading virtual career fair platform that provides many other tools for companies, universities, and organizations to connect virtually. 

Technology Required to Build a Virtual Job Fair Platform

The Technology Required to Build a Virtual Job Fair Platform

1. Platforms and SDKs

The best VR apps start with selecting the right platform and SDK. Software platforms such as SteamVR, Oculus Home, and XboxVR are already supported. This means that no additional software is required to obtain the experience, and users can expect consistent performance.

2. WebVR and WebGL frameworks & libraries

WebVR is a small JavaScript script that runs in a web browser and provides an API for use in virtual reality (VR) applications.

3. Design and Prototype Tools

To a large extent, the design of a VR application determines its quality. To create a successful virtual reality application, the development team must consider prototyping VR experiences for testing and validation. Prototyping allows you to test a 360-degree view, a sense of scale and depth, the use of available sensors, the viewer’s viewing position, and many other attributes.

4. Hardware

If you want to create a VR app, you should think about the hardware you’ll need to run it. There are several excellent options, including two sensor-equipped versions of the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift VR headsets. Furthermore, there are several types of VR hardware, including the following:

  • Console
  • Light mobile VR headsets
  • Premium mobile VR headsets
  • VR headsets connecting to external PCs
  • Standalone headsets
  • VR haptic feedback suits  

Going Virtually Into the Future: Seek Help!!

Still not sure how virtual job fairs fit into your strategy for hiring? Our buyer guides are meant to help you save time and money when buying new tools for your business. If you want to hire people quickly and cheaply in these epidemic times, virtual job fairs are your best bet. The proliferation of internet job fairs suggests that they may soon become the most effective channels for finding new employees. Emizentech, can help you build a virtual event application to attracts, engages, and convert new talent. When it comes to building a hyper-communication software, Emizentech is your best bet. We are a leading app development firm with expertise in building digital solutions that solve real world issues with innovation. So, if you have a requirement regarding building a virtual job fair software application then get in touch with us.

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Author

EmizenTech's Mobile App Development team is led by Naren Bhati, who designs and develops technically innovative solutions for our global clientele. He has the technical expertise to steer our app development team on the right path.