Tips for successful recruitment at fairs

Career Fairs at Mount Royal offer a unique opportunity to gain exposure to the student body and to introduce students to your particular industry and organization. These events are exceptional ways to make contact with a large number of job seekers in a short period of time. The growth of our fairs indicates how valuable this recruitment tool is to employers.

Many students will take advantage of this occasion to network and submit their resumes to you. However, we recommend that to reach the largest number of suitable applicants, you should advertise your requirements through the Career Centre's on campus recruiting system. By doing this, you are guaranteeing that your company and the jobs you are offering are exposed to an ever greater number of students. You can post jobs on-line at:

Posting a job at Mount Royal

Attending a Career Fair is a business decision. To help you maximize the opportunity consider some of the following tips:

Confirm essentials
The display
Multi-media equipment
Marketing materials
Exhibit staff
Top twelve tips

Confirm essentials

Outline of the event; date(s), time, registration fee/deadline, display set-up hours, speakers/presentations schedule, contact name, number and e-mail regarding inquiries/concerns, need to know policies.
Location and map; address, booth #, access to washrooms, refreshments, quiet/break areas, other employers booths and locations.
Parking; availability, pass required/provided.
Drop-off zone; are staff/volunteers available to assist with display set-up/take down.
Inquire about the target audience attending; number of visitors expected, peak times.
Inquire to see if the following are provided or not, and if required then book/request — electrical outlet(s), internet connection, table cloths, name tags.

The display

Display booth and signage — use bright colors and large enough font to read at a distance.
A good exhibit is simply a stage for information exchange — you are the focus, not the exhibit.
The visual message should provide the observer with a clear idea of what you do. Pictures capture attention better than words.
Distinguish your booth from others be creative; (eg: use red balloons on display, hand out treats)
Keep the booth and display area clean and neat; promotes a positive/professional company image.

Multi-media equipment

Videos and presentations are valuable only if they catch the visitor's eye.
Keep presentations to 5 minutes long.
Demonstrations are great eye catchers, especially if students participate.
Respect your neighboring exhibits; keep the volume to a minimal.

Silhouette of students walking

Marketing materials

Recruitment/marketing materials; brochures, business cards, calendars, etc. Have enough recruitment materials on hand and keep other paper to a minimum. Most important know your target audience.
Show students who to contact on brochure with a highlighter, and provide a business card.
Audio-visual equipment.
Questionnaires, surveys, application forms, and/or request forms for additional information about the company. Make sure to include: name, address, phone number, e-mail, type of job, major, year in school, and the area of interest to facilitate matching students with jobs.
Pens or writing materials
Giveaways — be unique, consider target audience; provide plastic bags, students have little to carry their materials in. Some of the more successful items include the basic writing instruments; make them bright and colorful, magnets, letter openers, document holders, rulers, etc.
Draw prize, box/container to hold participant info sheets, sign to promote draw, contact info sheets, pens — consider displaying the prize to attract participants to booth.
Bring a camera to record the event and your display for future marketing purposes.

Exhibit staff

Remember, it is personality not the display that visitors remember most.
Make a good first impression; students base their opinion of the company on you.
Have two people minimum staffing the exhibit.
Stand, don't sit, at the exhibit; this conveys a sense of interest and a welcome atmosphere.
Try to be out front for a good portion of the event, shows enthusiasm to converse and share information.
Wear nametags prominently.
Listen carefully, ask visitors what their name is, what their major is, when they anticipate graduating and what type of job they are looking for.
Be knowledgeable; know your product(s)/service(s), organizational structure, contact names/titles, to help assist and determine where students might fit best.
Visitors prefer a short overview of what you have to offer; prepare a script.
Ensure the exhibit is staffed at all times; an empty booth conveys 'we don't care'.
Don't wait for visitors to approach you; be friendly and sincere.
Ask open-ended questions.
Be honest about what your organization has to offer.
Take brief breaks; walk around to keep back and feet from hurting; visit refreshment areas.

Top twelve tips

Know your target audience.
Crystallize your goals; have a recruitment plan.
Create an effective display.
Network; meet everyone.
Recruit in front of your table.
Collect resumes or allow students to contact you for further information
Sell your organization to visitors/potential candidates.
Be ready to hire.
Get the right mindset; shake hands and smile.
Have more than one person staff the exhibit.
Showcase your benefits; provide memorable giveaways.
Stay until the end.