Virtual Job Fair Platform List
As companies learn to operate and recruit virtually during the pandemic, the idea of holding virtual job fairs have become a necessity for those employers still hiring. So I started doing some research on virtual job fair platforms and found a number of tools from DIY solutions to vendors who will do it for you.
The typical online event of today features a mix of landing page, chat and video functionality which enables candidates to learn about your openings and culture. These are interactive events where you are expected to converse live with job seekers in attendance so it does require a bit of preparation
Most virtual hiring events share the same basic elements including:
Landing Page: a web page used for registration
Lobby/Rooms: some vendors feature virtual lobbies for the main event. From here candidates can go to break out sessions for chats with specific recruiters into different rooms.
Resume Access: some platforms allow you to collect resumes from candidates in attendance.
Job boards: many of the dedicated vendors below also offer ways to post or host your job openings.
Chats: all platforms have some form of chat room for questions or 1 on 1 conversations.
Video both live and pre-recorded presentations can e used
Branding: depending on the platform a variety of branding opportunities exist to show off your logos etc.
Now let’s take a look at some of the dedicated platforms and DIY solutions on the market.
DIY Tools: Zoom and Crowdcast
Zoom is an obvious choice for many organizations since it is inexpensive and ubiquitous. Said Eastman, the CEO/GM of JobsInTheUS.com in Portland Maine recently held one on behalf of their local Maine job site. It was a full day of employers at the top of each hour where he interviewed a company rep and fielded questions from the audience which numbered over 400 registrations.
They put out a schedule and used a single Zoom meeting link to host it while incentivizing seekers to show up with a $100 gift card.
Here’s what their invite said;
For more than 20 years, JobsInME.com has provided job seekers with real, local, quality jobs online — and our successful Career Fairs have brought seekers face-to-face with recruiters from some of the best companies in Maine. Now, in support of the current COVID-19 situation, we're taking Career Fairs and moving them online!
Virtual ME Career Fairs allow job seekers to hear from and virtually meet with employers in a webinar format. Each hour, exhibiting employers present an overview of their company, discuss available positions, and respond to participants' questions.
Job seekers, pre-register now and be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card upon attending the webinar. It's fast and free.
Upload your resume ahead of the Career Fair by visiting JobsInME.com, searching for the participating employers listed below, and applying to their "Free Virtual Career Fair" job postings.
SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 23, 2020
9:00 AM | MaineHealth
10:00 AM | Securitas
11:00 AM | Central Maine Healthcare
1:00 PM | ProSearch
2:00 PM | Paychex
3:00 PM | Hannaford
4:00 PM | Preble Street
I asked Eastman his thoughts on how it went. He told me by email... “As a platform, (Zoom) was great for the format we wanted to offer our employers and seekers. This was instead of our planned physical events that had been canceled due to Covid-19. Our event was moderated, so we controlled the mic and questions. This also mitigated against any issues with security”. Overall, he said he was extremely pleased with how it came out.
JobsinME gave each of its employers their own virtual Zoom background for branding purposes.
Another DIY option is Crowdcast.io.
I have been using this platform for the past 2+ years running a webinar series called RecTech Live. It has a number of different features compared to Zoom, the main one being that is a browser based video tool. That’s right you do NOT need to download software like with Zoom.
Each Crowdcast user gets their own landing page that lists their events and people can follow you. Each time you go live they get a notification. It also lets you email any of the attendees whenever you want and provides a ton of stats around how people registered, where they came from, etc.
Crowdcast events allows only 4 concurrent screens so it’s not like a Zoom meeting where dozens can appear on video. Those watching do so in their browser and can converse in the sidebar chat room. You can also conduct polls. Each event is automatically recorded and archived for replay (using the same event link) right after the event ends.
Multiple sessions under one event are available should you want to break out your job fair into different rooms (like for departments). Unfortunately no virtual background feature is available on Crowdcast.
Their basic cost starts at $49 for up to 100 attendees per event. I think it's an easy to use platform that would be excellent for those employers who want to host their own virtual career fair. If you need help with it feel free to reach out, I can also serve as your guest host if you are so inclined.
Each Crowdcast event landing page comes with an awesome countdown clock. You must create and upload your own cover image.
BONUS: on May 7th I will be chatting with Eightfold.ai on how to hold your virtual recruiting event. They will offer some tips of their own. Register here.
Dedicated JobFair Platforms
In my research I found at least eight vendors whose sole purpose is to host online job events. Pricing was not available on most of these sites.
These platforms offer a managed service solution from soup to nuts...they will host, manage and promote your virtual event. On vFairs for example employers can “sift through the resumes dropped at their booth or against the virtual job board for shortlisting active job-seekers and scheduling interviews directly at the job fair.”
On Brazen there is one to one text based chat, discussion feeds which are group based, and live video broadcasts where the hosts can broadcast to all participants. The video platform on Brazen is proprietary to them.
On 6connex they let you ;
Screen larger numbers of applicants quicker by inviting candidates to pre-register and upload their resumes in advance. Find the best-fit talent and spend more time engaging with the most qualified applicants.
Enable recruiters to chat with job seekers on a 1:1 basis or in a group. Applicants can directly ask employers questions about open positions without the hassle of scheduling a time to meet.
Example of a job fair on VFairs
I pinged Joe Matar from Brazen a platform who has been doing virtual job fairs for a number of years to get his advice about preparing for them. He told me over LinkedIn chat that there are 5 key steps;
Prepare, prepare, prepare. You must have a plan of attack when you enter into a virtual career fair which requires preparation.
Get comfortable with the technology before the live event.
Build out your virtual booths before the event and use the virtual “space” to highlight your people and culture and enhance your employer brand.
Staff appropriately: we recommend a ratio of one recruiter for every ten registrants.
Have a follow up strategy.
ATS & Chatbot Companies
Some recruiting software companies offer virtual event features that come with landing pages, chat tools and more. I don’t think these tools have a video component so you may have to use a technology like Zoom for that aspect.
Other Options
I also found a couple of job related websites that employers can tap to run a virtual event.
Jobcase is a blue collar social network job site that holds events geared toward their audience. Their Virtual Job Fair product is a full-service, managed solution that they set up for you. It can be advertised to their audience that reaches over 100 million people. No pricing is listed so you’ll have to call for information. | LINK
HR.com offers virtual events that mimic an in-person event from any venue in the world, including your own business office. Employers can showcase their company and culture, pre-screen candidates, post any open job postings and reach more qualified candidates in less time. | LINK
BONUS
Partnering with Jobcase, Bayard is now offering clients a Virtual Hiring Event Platform with Zero Long-Term Commitment. This means you can host as many or as little virtual hiring events as needed.