How to Run a Job Fair

A job fair is held so that businesses can gather in one place and present their companies for potential employees to see and fill out applications. Some companies will also conduct interviews at this time to screen potential applicants for the final interview. If you are interested in setting up a job fair, you need to know how to run a job fair so that each company has enough room to conduct business and that there will be enough people at the job fair looking for work.

Things You'll Need

• Large space (size depends on how many businesses will have space)
• Tables for each company
• Four chairs for each table

Instructions

1. Send professional letters to companies in your area. Share the details of the job fair and ask for a RSVP at least two weeks prior to the date of the job fair. You need to know the company name, phone number and email address of all businesses that sign up for the fair. Email these companies two days before the date of the event as a reminder and advise them to get there at least an hour early to set up their tables.

2. Reserve the tables and chairs needed for the job fair. Recreation centers and other organizations in the community may supply the table and chairs if you allow them to sell baked goods and drinks at the job fair.

3. Place surge protector outlet strips by each table and make sure not to overload the electrical outlets with too many surge protector strips. Each table should have at least four available plugs. This should be done at least two days before the event.

4. Set up the router with a DSL, cable or other Internet service. You will need a computer as the base for the router. Make sure that you test the router and password that you will supply to each company so the representative can access the Internet. This should be done at least five days before the event.

5. Advertise the job fair for at least two weeks prior to the date. Many newspapers and radio stations will do this type of advertising free since it benefits the community. Make sure to include times and a partial list of companies to entice people to come.

6. Start setting up the tables the day before the event. You should already have the surge protectors in place and a working router. Place a name card on each table for each company so that the representatives know where they will conduct business. If you have more than one employment agency setting up shop (Manpower, Kelly Services, among others), place them on different sides of the room. Space them out so that they are not directly completing against each other on the same side of the room.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to get conformations and send out reminder emails two days before the event. Keep advertisements going up to the date of the job fair. Running a job fair does not require any licenses. In some cities, you may need a permit. The Clerk of Court officer can advise you.

• Do not leave the router unsecured. Have a password that you give to the companies' representatives to use.