Hosting a Chamber Job Fair That Works

Business Professionals at a Local Job Fair

Job fairs are a powerful way for Chambers to connect local businesses with qualified candidates, strengthen community ties, and boost their reputation as a valuable resource. Plus, if workforce is a component of your strategic plan, a job fair or expo fits right in and is an example of bringing your plan to life.

But pulling off a successful job fair event requires careful planning and execution. This starts with giving yourself enough time. Just because there’s a dire hiring need in your community and eager employers doesn’t mean you should try to slap something together by next Friday. After all, it takes more than willing job hunters and anxious employers to put together a successful hiring fair. Plus, one poorly executed and attended job fair will impact your ability to attract potential employees and employers for your next one.

Plan early and choose a suitable date, ideally a few months in advance. This allows ample time to secure a venue, attract employers, and market the event effectively. It also gives you time to line up partners.

Here's a breakdown of best practices to ensure your next job fair is a resounding success:

Lay a Strong Foundation

Begin at the beginning.

Define Your Goals: What do you hope to achieve? Are you focusing on specific industries? Entry-level or experienced hires or students? Clear goals will guide your decisions.

Know Your Audience: Who are the ideal employers and job seekers for this event? Understanding their needs will shape your marketing and outreach strategies.

Research the History and Your Competition: Who holds job expos in your area? What has past attendance been for them? Read reviews (if they exist) to find out what they did right and what attendees and vendors would’ve liked but didn’t see.

Secure a Venue: Choose a location that's accessible, spacious, and can accommodate multiple employer booths and many job seekers. Ensure the venue has amenities like Wi-Fi and ample parking (many people will skip an event if they must pay for parking or if they know parking will be difficult to find). The location should also be easily accessible for attendees with disabilities. Consider traffic flow and booth layout to create a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Decide on a Time. When you host it will impact who can attend. Foster Garret said the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce has success hosting its job fair on a Friday from 10:30-2, as this offers flexibility for job seekers attending over their lunch hour. Saturdays from 10-1 work for the Chincoteague Area Chamber of Commerce. Sara Witt Cullin said, “We do Thursdays, end of the school day for the juniors and seniors, and then it is open to the public until 6 pm.”

Building Powerful Partnerships

Partners can contribute greatly to success.

Collaborate with Other Organizations: Partner with workforce development agencies, educational institutions, and non-profits to reach a wider pool of job seekers and provide valuable resources. Consider offering pre-fair résumé workshops or having on-site résumé assistance and career development specialists available for critiques.

There are perks to co-hosting beyond marketing. Jo Schmeiser shared, “We worked with the Department of Labor, had it at a local High School and it ran from around 1:00 to 7:00. During the school hours the students were invited to attend and after hours it was for adults in the community. We were the first in the state to host a dual Job Fair and the last one we had brought in over 400 attendees. Since it was cohosted by the Department of Labor, they provided food and beverages for the vendors (over 100) during a break between students and adults.”

Engage with Employers: Don't just invite businesses – actively involve them. Offer various participation levels (e.g., booth space, sponsorship packages) and gather feedback on their hiring needs. Knowing this will help align your marketing campaigns with their ideal employee. Encourage employers to bring informative materials about their company and available positions, staff their booths with knowledgeable representatives, and create engaging displays to attract candidates.

Leverage Local Media: Build relationships with local newspapers, radio stations, and community websites to promote the event and generate excitement.

Bring in the Library: Who are some of the most informed people in your community? Librarians of course. Meghan Segerson Kearney shared that her chamber’s job expo received “Lots of traffic when we partnered with the library, offered résumé writing assistance, small rooms for mini-interviews and provided a mix of businesses and industries.”

Help Working Parents: Offering childcare services on-site makes it easier for job seekers to attend.

Mastering Marketing

This is not a flyer-only event. You need to get top of mind for employees and employers to be successful. And to do that you need an inclusive marketing plan.

Develop a Comprehensive Marketing Plan: Utilize a mix of online and offline channels. Think social media campaigns, email marketing, flyers, press releases, and the chamber newsletter. Don’t forget to ask other local chambers to include your info in their newsletter.

Highlight Employer Branding: Showcase participating businesses and their open positions. Create engaging content that highlights company culture and career opportunities. Consider creating mini company culture spotlights (or asking the employers to create them) to get job seekers excited about the quality of the hiring companies.

Target Your Outreach: Segment your audience and tailor your messaging accordingly. Use targeted ads and social media campaigns to reach specific demographics or industries. Be sure to advise job seekers to bring multiple copies of their résumés, dress professionally, and prepare for on-the-spot interviews.

On-the-Day Essentials

Create a Welcoming Atmosphere: Ensure clear signage, friendly volunteers, and a well-organized registration process. Provide a map or layout of the event for job seekers, organizing employer booths alphabetically (or by industry) for easy navigation.

Facilitate Meaningful Connections: Provide opportunities for networking and informal interactions. Consider adding a lounge area or breakout sessions. Some chambers use an ice breaker like a scavenger hunt to add some fun and create opportunities for conversations. At job fairs, well-known companies often get the most traffic. Help seekers get to know all your participating companies.

Gather Feedback: Collect data on attendee satisfaction, employer feedback, and job placements to measure the event's success and improve future job fairs while they’re at the job fair. Don’t wait until everyone has gone home to send an email survey. Get feedback in the moment.

Leveling Up

For those of you who are looking to do something “over the top amazing,” here are a few ideas:

- Partner with local businesses to provide refreshments or snacks for attendees.

- Track job placements resulting from the fair and share success stories with participants.

- Use the data to improve future job fairs and identify areas for improvement.

Additionally, there are things you can do specifically for employers and job seekers.

For Employers:

Pre-Fair Preparation: Go beyond telling them to "bring a table and brochures." Offer advice on how to create a compelling booth, pre-screen résumés, and train staff for effective candidate engagement.

Technology Integration: Discuss the use of apps for scheduling interviews, collecting résumés digitally, and following up with candidates. QR codes are your friend.

ROI Measurement: Provide guidance on how employers can track their success at the job fair (e.g., number of qualified candidates, interviews scheduled, positions filled). Again, make sure you’re tracking too so you can use this data to market your next one.

Diversity and Inclusion: Emphasize the importance of attracting a diverse candidate pool and provide strategies for creating an inclusive environment at their booths and within their organizations.

For Job Seekers:

Job Fair Etiquette: Offer tips on how to approach employers, make a good first impression, and navigate the event effectively.

Wardrobe: Some job seekers don’t have interview clothing. Partner with a non-profit to make a career wardrobe available to interested applicants.

Industry-Specific Advice: If the fair targets specific sectors, provide tailored advice for job seekers in those fields (e.g., résumé tips for tech professionals, portfolio advice for creatives).

Follow-Up Strategies: Explain the importance of post-fair follow-up and provide templates for thank-you notes and follow-up emails.

A successful job fair requires more than just bringing employers and job seekers together. It demands a strategic approach that prioritizes partnerships, targeted marketing, and a commitment to creating a valuable experience for everyone involved.

Remember, the specific details of your job fair will depend on your target job seekers, community's needs, and resources. By carefully planning and executing your event, you can create a valuable experience for all involved and contribute to the economic growth of your region.