If you’re thinking of hosting a job fair in Chicago, there are a few steps you can take to make sure you’re drawing the best talent. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to host a job fair that pulls in the right people, where to launch your event, and how to leave a lasting impression.
What Is a Job Fair?
A job fair is an event that brings employers and job seekers together in one place so that companies can promote their open positions and candidates can learn more about potential jobs. When hosted in person at local venues, job fairs in Chicago are a great place for employers to meet talent face-to-face while at the same time building their brand and improving their recruiting processes. This is because, rather than wading through hundreds of online applications, you get to interact with real people who are genuinely interested in your company.
Additionally, for businesses based in Chicago, there’s another big advantage to hosting a job fair, which is the city’s diversity. Chicago is a hub for industries like finance, healthcare, logistics, tech, manufacturing, and more. This means that with a well-planned job fair, you can attract candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, all in your local area.
How to Host a Job Fair that Attracts Top Talent
If you’re going to host a career fair, it’s worth putting some thought and effort into how to attract the best people. Here are a few of the best steps you can take to make that happen.
Define Your Audience
Your first step should be to ask yourself what kind of talent you want to attract. Are you looking for entry-level employees, more experienced hires, or something in between? What level of education will your ideal employee have, and what salary range will you offer? Your goals will shape everything about your event and should be defined up front. For example, if you’re hiring for administrative roles, you might want to focus your efforts on community colleges and local job boards. On the other hand, if you’re after talent in the tech industry, you may instead consider partnering with local universities or tech hubs to attract the best talent.
Once you know the kind of employees you’re targeting, you can set goals for your fair. How many candidates do you want to meet? How many do you hope to hire? Defining what success looks like upfront will help you in the next steps.
Pick the Right Location
Chicago is full of great venues for hiring events. The right venue will depend on your budget and the atmosphere you want to create. If you’re planning a large professional fair, spaces like Navy Pier, the McCormick Place Convention Center, or local facilities with large spaces are ideal. For smaller or more industry-specific job fairs in Chicago, places like coworking spaces or community centers might work better, since they’re affordable and can take small groups.
Additionally, don’t forget to think about accessibility. The best job fairs will be easy to get to by public transportation and have plenty of parking. A convenient location can make a big difference for attendance.
If an in-person event isn’t in the cards, you can also go virtual. Online career fairs have increased in popularity since 2020, and platforms like Brazen and Handshake can help you host your event virtually, allowing candidates to “visit” digital booths and chat with recruiters just like they would at an in-person event.
Promote the Event
You can have the best event in the world, but if no one knows about it, it won’t matter. Promotion is one of the most important steps to attracting top talent. For the best results, start marketing your hiring event at least four to six weeks ahead of time, and use every channel you have. Announce your fair on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, where you can create an event page and share updates regularly. Post your event on sites like Indeed, Eventbrite, and local community boards. If you already have a database of applicants or past candidates, send them a personal invite. Finally, reach out to local colleges and trade schools. Many will share your event with their job seekers for free.
As you’re planning your promotions, don’t underestimate the power of visuals. Use photos from your office, employee testimonials, or short video clips to show off your company and your culture. The more you can humanize your brand, the better your chances of attracting top talent.
Plan the Experience
When you host a hiring event, first impressions matter. Make sure your event feels organized and worth attending. To start, you can create an inviting setup with clear signage and comfortable seating. Have friendly, knowledgeable staff at each station who can talk confidently about your company and open roles. Consider hosting a short workshop or Q&A session on resume tips or interview skills. Finally, be sure you have a way to collect information. You can use tablets or QR codes to capture people’s info instead of paper forms, which will make follow-ups so much easier.
Focus on Branding
When job seekers walk into a room full of companies, they’ll naturally gravitate toward the ones that seem genuine and approachable. Your booth should tell a story about who you are as a company, including your culture and the people behind your brand. Use branded materials that highlight what it’s like to work for you. If you’ve got a standout perk like flexible schedules or remote options, make sure it’s front and center. Chicago’s job market is competitive, and the best candidates have options, so show them why your workplace is worth their time.
Assess Your Success
Once the fair is over, take time to assess what worked and what didn’t. Did you meet your attendance goals? How many quality candidates did you find? What feedback did your team receive from attendees? Make sure to get insights from both your staff and the job seekers. You can even send a quick post-event survey, since extra input can help you improve your next career fair and your recruiting strategy overall.
Learn More About Hosting a Job Fair at Wintrust Sports Complex
If you’re looking for a venue to host your upcoming hiring event, come check out Wintrust Sports Complex. Our large facility is perfect for running big events, and we offer a range of flexible packages to suit every group size and budget!