Why plan a recruiting event?

Your company’s recruiting plan benefits from using multiple channels to attract new candidates. Hosting an event generates excitement about working for your company, and it can give you a huge influx of new prospective employees. It gives you and the interested job seekers the chance to meet and check each other out before getting too far in the process. Hiring events are relatively low pressure for candidates, so they can express their interest without going through a lengthy application process first. You can then nurture those leads slowly.

Choosing the right type of recruiting event

With so many recruitment event ideas available, what do you choose? Your company’s branding and values can help you choose and plan a recruiting event that attracts the right type of applicants. Consider your budget and available space when deciding what types of events to plan. Thinking about your ideal applicants can also help you plan the type and timing of your event. For example, if you’re hiring for a third shift position, hosting a late-night recruitment event might be ideal. Planning an open house during the lunch hour or after work allows prospective applicants to drop by without taking time off work.

Recruitment event ideas

Exploring recruitment event ideas can help you find the option that best fits your needs. Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Open house

An open house lets you open your company to prospective applicants so they can get a look inside. It’s a good way for them to get a feel for your organization and decide if it’s a good fit. You also get to meet interested job seekers and start making connections with them.

Some open house hiring event ideas include:

• Introducing applicants to current employees
• Headquarter tours
• Demonstrations of products or work processes
• Light snacks
• Live entertainment
• On-site screening interviews
• Company overview video

Recruitment open houses should be relaxed without a formal agenda. This helps attendees feel comfortable.

2. Virtual recruiting event

If you run a fully remote business or have a limited budget and space, hosting a virtual recruiting event is an alternative. Examples of virtual recruiting events include touring the office, hosting a Q&A session and organizing an employee panel. Set up a registration for the live stream event to track your attendees.

3. Networking event

A casual networking event outside of your workplace can create a relaxing environment where you can get to know attendees. A happy hour with appetizers at a local restaurant is a simple option. Encourage your current employees to attend. They can help identify people who might work well for your company and keep the conversations going among attendees.

4. Competitions

If you’re looking for a particular skill set or need to hire for specialized positions, hosting a friendly competition related to those skills is an idea for a recruiting event. Competitions are more enjoyable than traditional interviews. They let interested job seekers show off their skills, and they give you the chance to see their skills in action. Examples include a baking competition for a pastry chef position or a coding challenge for a software developer. You might offer a prize package for the winner, which could include things such as cash, gift cards, company gear or an internship.

5. Campus events

If you have connections with a local university, explore options for recruiting on campus. Many colleges have organized recruiting fairs, but you might also have other opportunities, such as speaking to a class related to your industry or setting up a demonstration related to your company on campus.

6. Learning opportunities

Offering value to people outside your company can help attract more applicants by showing that you value learning. Host a panel discussion, mini-conference or lunch and learn about an industry topic to gather people in your industry. You might talk about industry development and discuss how your company uses that technology as a way to encourage interest in applying.

Planning the details

Once you narrow down your recruiting event type, plan the details to ensure it goes smoothly. Important information you need to plan includes:

• Location
• Date and time
• Budget
• Agenda
• Specific events
• Food and drink
• Staffing
• Equipment, such as computers for applications or A/V equipment for presentations
• Promotional strategies

It’s also helpful to set goals and objectives for the recruiting event. Determine what type of attendance you want and what kind of applicant response you hope to get. Having clear expectations for the event can help you make decisions during the planning process.

Promoting your event

A promotional plan for your recruiting event can help increase attendance. Here are some ways to help promote the event:

• Post about it on social media.
• Create a hashtag for the event and use it in all posts.
• Ask your employees to promote the event.
• Encourage attendees to bring a friend.
• Create paid advertising.
• Announce it to your email newsletter subscribers.
• Let your industry contacts know.

Trying multiple promotional channels can make the efforts more effective. Each method is likely to reach different people to expand your overall reach.

Tips for success

Planning a recruiting event takes time, effort and resources, so you want it to be successful. The following tips can help you plan a successful recruiting event:

• Start planning early. Throwing together a last-minute recruitment event usually doesn’t get you the number of applicants you want. Schedule the event as far out as possible to give your team plenty of time to coordinate the details.
• Include current employees. Your current employees can give input, help plan and work the recruitment event to improve the results.
• Collect contact information. Ask attendees to register in advance, or have a sign-in sheet at the event to grab names and contact information for easier follow-up.
• Take notes. Your job is to host the event, but it’s also beneficial to take note of attendees who have the skills you need. Jotting notes on people’s business cards or keeping digital notes about people gives you something to refer to after the event.
• Follow up with attendees. Holding an event helps you network with potential applicants and get their contact information. After the event, don’t wait for them to apply or contact you. Reach out to the attendees to encourage them to take the next steps. You might personally call or email your top choices to nurture them more closely.

Hosting your first recruiting event can seem overwhelming, but you’ll become more comfortable with each event you hold. Reflect on your recruiting events to look for ways you can improve next time to continue growing your talent pool.