A recent article in Hotel News Now points out: “there’s an abundance of talent in the industry right now, and to safely hire during the pandemic, some hoteliers have turned to online hiring processes.” For hospitality employers – as well as job seekers—virtual career fairs are practical and safe forums for meeting with potential new hires. 

Virtual career fairs are a logical option while public gathering restrictions are still in place as a result of Covid-19. But the timing also presents an opportunity for employers to consider all of the reasons why virtual job fairs can be a game changer for recruiting. 

Employers customarily view virtual career fairs as more cost effective and more time efficient alternatives to traditional in-person job fairs. Virtual career fairs eliminate travel and shipping costs, budget expenditures on the printing of collateral materials and swag giveaways as well as booth furnishing. 

Plus, virtual career fairs don’t necessitate extended time out of the office since they can be attended from anywhere with a computer and Internet connection. Instead of spending long hours standing on a hard floor, hiring managers and recruiters can meet job seekers while seated at their desk.

Sound safe and convenient? Today’s job candidates think so too. 

For employers, the value of virtual career fairs is more than just monetary. These digital events can provide hiring managers and recruiters with the chance to meet a broader array of job candidates since geography doesn’t limit attendance in the same way it does at a face-to-face event. 

Yet, virtual career fairs can also offer more opportunity to meet one-on-one with job candidates. These online platforms afford employers the ability to meet with candidates either via video chat or online text-based chat (similar to the chat box that pops up when you log into your bank account online).

So even if your organization currently has openings for front desk associates, this can also be a good opportunity to meet with experienced hotel housekeepers or restaurant servers. Unlike traditional career fairs, virtual job fairs also offer more opportunity to meet one-on-one with job seekers. So in fact, digital career fairs can help to grow a candidate pipeline more effectively. 

Moreover, job fairs have historically been the domain of colleges and universities trying to connect their future graduates with recruiters, hiring managers and ultimately potential job and internship prospects. Yet, Covid-19 has widened hiring prospects for employers since most all job seekers are more receptive to job fairs now, more than ever. 

So don’t be surprised to meet tech savvy job candidates at your next virtual career fair. These are ideal platforms for job seekers who are comfortable with technology to simultaneously meet with potential employers and check out the event’s digital aspects. 

Beyond potential employees specializing in technology, other job seekers are likely to view a virtual hiring event as a reflection of participating companies as being forward-thinking and agile in a rapidly changing world. So it taking part in a virtual career fair can give select hospitality brands a competitive edge over those who don’t take part. 

Multi-employer virtual career fairs can also generate an even larger pool of job seekers who will likely want to participate in an event where they can meet with employers from a variety of companies. Employers can differentiate themselves with digitally branded booths that fair hosts can usually assist in setting up. 

Typically, there is flexibility in the digital booth set-up and it is designed to mirror an actual career fair booth. It’s also in the organizer’s interest to make sure that employers’ virtual booths dazzle. So don’t underestimate the power of your brand’s digital representation at a virtual career fair! These event organizers are also responsible for marketing the event, which is yet another cost-savings for employers as well as an additional efficiency. 

In addition, third party career fair organizes can also provide employers with the ability to screen candidates and follow-up after the virtual job fair with data on event attendees and also event metrics, thanks to online registrations and event tracking. So employers who attended the event are better equipped to make even more informed hiring decisions as well as better determine which candidates they want to communicate with post-event. 

Covid-19 has certainly slowed hiring funnels in the hospitality business right now. But the tide will turn and when it does, the candidate pool will diminish rapidly. So why not use this time to get a head start on hiring?