One way to attract qualified applicants is to meet them in person at a job fair. Here are things your recruiting team must keep in mind for a successful appearance:

1. Plan ahead as a group — Make sure marketing materials are ready, schedules won’t conflict on the day of the event and everyone who’s attending knows the details.
2. Pick the right folks to go — Some job fairs are tailored to specific audiences — for example, some emphasize diversity, and some are for college students and recent graduates. Go with a group the crowd can relate to.
3. Tell the organizers what positions are open — Often, the group running the fair will put out ads listing the companies attending and the jobs they’re trying to fill. Don’t miss the opportunity to build up some advance interest.
4. Be proactive and inviting — Some attendees might not know the best way to approach your company’s table, especially if it’s an event for recent graduates. It’s the recruiters’ job to introduce themselves to candidates who pass by. One way to help is to stand in front of the table instead of sitting behind it.
5. React quickly — Odds are, if someone hands you a resume, they’ve done the same with a lot of other companies at the fair. It’s important to act quickly when you find a desirable candidate. Many companies even conduct initial interviews on the spot when they find a great applicant.

Tags: job fairs, recruiters