Dec 14, 2021
Staff shortages are becoming a serious problem in many industries. They hinder the growth of companies or even threaten continuity.
At the beginning of October 2021, more than 30 percent of entrepreneurs indicated that they were hindered by a staff shortage. In July this was still about 23 percent (figures: CBS)
No wonder that all means are used to find staff.
For many marketing departments, marketing is no longer just focused on promoting the brand and generating leads. Attracting new talent and personnel is also part of the strategic marketing plan.
In addition to all online and offline marketing activities, so-called job fairs and career fairs also offer excellent opportunities. Opportunities to connect with potential candidates.
In addition to professional and large-scale fairs such as the Career Fair in the RAI in Amsterdam, local and regional job fairs are also organised. By industry associations, MBO / HBO schools, universities and (government) institutions such as the UWV and the Chamber of Commerce. And some (large) companies even organize their own career days.
If you are also going to participate in such career fairs with a booth, then there are the necessary points for attention and "do's and don'ts" to take into account.
One of the questions you will ask is who will build your exhibition stand. Have your stand completely taken care of and built by a stand builderOr are you going to do this yourself?
If you have a stand builder built especially for this job fair or career fair, you can count on everything being perfectly arranged for you. You can then shine with a beautiful stand at the job market or career fair of your choice.
Do you own a modular stand or exhibition wall, or is the stand area at the job fair or career fair fairly limited in terms of square meters? Then you can of course also build your exhibition stand yourself. With lightweight and modular exhibition walls and systems is both easy to transport and set up.
It mainly revolves around the question of how you will communicate with potential candidates with your exhibition stand. Regardless of the type of exhibition stand, the size of your stand and the choice to build it yourself or have it built. Now the way you communicate with your stand is important at every trade fair participation, at career fairs and job fairs it is even more important.
Because your target group does not consist of buyers where ratio predominates, but of people who are busy with their personal development, future and life. The "emotion" factor is decisive when it comes to interacting with them.
It is therefore important to know on the basis of which factors potential candidates make choices. This allows you to respond to this with your exhibition stand and your stand communication. Also take into account age, stage of life and personal interests. The 'soft' factors are more important at the first contact than the substantive 'hard' factors such as salary and employment conditions.People choose people, and rarely for a company.
The stand crew also plays an important role in this. It helps if you have enthusiastic colleagues at your stand with the same functions as you are looking for people for. People with whom candidates can identify. Potential candidates usually "click" faster with this, and these colleagues can immediately tell substantive information about the position and answer the candidate's questions.
Before the fair, think about how you will administer and follow up the contacts you have made. Immediately after the fair (or rather, during the fair) send a message in which you thank the person for coming to your exhibition stand. Depending on the contact, then initiate any follow-up actions to further discuss the candidate.
And nice premium ensures that your company stays with the candidate longer and more positively. However, choosing a suitable premium is by no means easy. Think about this long before the fair starts. Also keep in mind that many premiums, especially if they are custom made for you, have a long delivery time because they are produced in Asia. If necessary, discuss your wishes with a premium specialist.
Participating in job fairs and career fairs with an exhibition stand offers you excellent opportunities to guarantee the personnel continuity and growth of your company. Especially in times of staff shortages. Would you like to exchange ideas with us about a successful exhibition stand approach for this? Contact us! Also read the article about tips for it design your exhibition stand!
Michel Rijnberg
isyfair Netherlands + author "Scoring with your exhibition participation"
