Career fairs remain one of the most effective ways for employers to meet potential candidates face-to-face (or virtually) and build brand awareness among job seekers. But here’s the challenge: career fairs are crowded—both in-person and online—and it’s easy for your company to blend in with all the other employers.

If you want to attract top talent and make the most of your investment, it’s not enough to simply show up. You need to stand out, offer value, and create genuine connections with candidates.

Let’s break down how you can do that—backed by examples, actionable tips, and data.

Why Career Fairs Still Matter

Even in today’s digital-first hiring landscape, career fairs continue to deliver results. According to a 2024 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 78% of employers who participated in career fairs said they helped build a stronger talent pipeline, and 56% reported making direct hires from fair connections.

Career fairs aren’t just about filling immediate openings—they’re about long-term strategy. They offer employers a chance to:

These events can also help companies reduce time-to-hire by identifying high-potential candidates early, creating opportunities to fast-track interviews and streamline the recruiting process.

👉 Looking to get started? Explore upcoming virtual and in-person career fairs through TalentAlly’s Career Fair platform to find events that align with your hiring goals.

How to Stand Out at Career Fairs

1. Make Your Booth Visually Engaging

Your booth—whether physical or virtual—is your first handshake. It’s your chance to make a memorable impression in a sea of employers. Studies from EyeQuant show that users form an impression about visual content in just 50 milliseconds. If your booth doesn’t catch attention immediately, you risk being overlooked.

For In-Person Fairs:

  • Invest in bold, branded visuals like large banners, interactive signage, and high-quality print materials.
  • Consider fun, interactive elements, such as giveaways photo booths, prize wheels, or skill-based games that tie into your company’s mission.

For Virtual Fairs:

  • Use polished visuals, clear role descriptions, and branded videos to tell your story.
  • Add interactive content like downloadable resources, employee testimonial videos, or short quizzes to keep candidates engaged.

👉 Example: Chewy’s career fair booths often include interactive pet trivia games and branded giveaways that align with their mission, drawing in pet lovers and creating a fun, memorable experience.

2. Bring Engaging, Knowledgeable Team Members

Too many employers send recruiters who simply collect resumes and offer little insight into the company culture. Today’s job seekers want to speak with people who can give them an authentic view of what it’s like to work at your company.

Who You Should Bring:

  • Recruiters who know the specific roles you’re hiring for.
  • Hiring managers who can discuss team dynamics and job expectations.
  • Current employees (especially those in similar roles to the ones you’re promoting) who can share personal, relatable stories.

Why This Matters:

When candidates can hear firsthand experiences from current employees, they’re more likely to form a genuine connection—and more likely to trust your company’s employer brand.

👉 Example: At the 2023 National Urban League Career Fair, AbbVie stood out by including employees from diverse backgrounds who openly shared their career paths and experiences, which attracted deeper engagement from job seekers.

3. Offer On-the-Spot Value

Job seekers visit dozens of booths at career fairs. One of the fastest ways to differentiate yourself is to offer something of immediate value that they can’t get elsewhere.

High-Impact Ideas:

  • Resume Reviews: Offer on-the-spot feedback that helps candidates improve their materials—even if they’re not applying to your company.
  • LinkedIn Profile Tips: Provide mini-audits or offer professional headshots.
  • Mock Interviews: Run quick practice interviews and offer coaching on the spot.
  • Mini Career Workshops: Share insights on industry trends, interview tips, or how to tailor applications for specific roles.

By offering something useful, you position your company as approachable and candidate-centric, which can improve your reputation far beyond the event.

4. Make Your Opportunities Easy to Find and Apply For

One of the biggest frustrations for job seekers at career fairs is when it’s hard to figure out which jobs are open, whether they’re remote, and how to apply.

Best Practices:

  • Use QR Codes: Link directly to your open jobs or resume submission as an application.
  • Organize by Role: Group job opportunities by category (engineering, marketing, customer service) so candidates can quickly find relevant openings.
  • Be Transparent: Clearly label roles as remote, hybrid, or in-person. According to LinkedIn’s 2024 Future of Recruiting report, 56% of job seekers say they’re unlikely to apply for in-office-only roles.

Candidates appreciate when you make it easy for them to explore roles and take immediate next steps.

5. Follow Up Quickly (and Personally)

Your job doesn’t end when the fair does. If you don’t follow up, even the best conversations can quickly fade.

Smart Follow-Up Strategies:

  • Send Personalized Messages: Reference specific conversations or roles discussed.
  • Follow Up Within 48 Hours: Timely outreach shows interest and professionalism.
  • Invite Candidates to Next Steps: This could include applying online, scheduling interviews, or joining your talent community.

A warm, personalized follow-up helps reinforce your employer brand and keeps the relationship moving forward.

Final Takeaways

Career fairs are a valuable tool for sourcing talent—but only if you approach them strategically. Here’s how to maximize your impact:
✔️ Stand out visually: Bold, interactive booths (in-person or virtual) get noticed.
✔️ Send the right people: Bring team members who can speak authentically and passionately.
✔️ Provide immediate value: Resume reviews, mock interviews, and coaching attract meaningful engagement.
✔️ Streamline the process: Make it easy for candidates to find jobs and apply on the spot.
✔️ Follow up fast: Timely, personalized outreach increases interview rates.

If you’re ready to elevate your hiring strategy, don’t miss the chance to connect with diverse, engaged job seekers at upcoming TalentAlly Career Fairs. These events are a fantastic opportunity to meet candidates face-to-face, build your employer brand, and find top talent across industries and communities.

👉 View and register for upcoming TalentAlly Career Fairs here.

Published by Kimberly Kirsch